I had hoped, and expected, to have received your deposition in the case of Pollard by the last mail; but did not.—The disappointment places me in a state of great uncertainty, as to the causes of the failure.—I have not received from Mr J. Randolph any intimation whatever upon the subject; and therefore cannot tell; whether, or not, he will take any agency in procuring depositions to save the reputation of the late Colo Nicholas. I have heretofore acted upon the presumption, that he would take pleasure in doing so; and I thought, I was discharging a duty to him; and to Colo Nicholas’s relatives, to afford him the opportunity.—Being at this time embarrassed with all the unsettled transactions of my whole life; and most generally confined to my chamber by personal infirmaties, I feel the more sensibly, the inconveniencies of all failures like the present.—These are perpetually occurring, from the infidelity, ignoranc[e] or the inattention of agents.—In the present case, there will barely be time enough remaining, after I shall have heard from you, to tak[e] the depositions in your neighbourhood before the meeting of the court, in case your deposition particularly should not have been taken upon the notice already forwarded.—Whilst therefore, I feel the greatest reluctance, in imposing upon you any trouble whatever, I must beg the favor of you to reply to this letter, by the return mail; and to inform me; Whether, or not, your deposition has been before taken?

The court meets on the 29. Instant—Be pleased, Sir, to accept assurances of most sincere, and respectful regards &c