your letter of the 10th has but just reached me, having loitered long on the way. still I hope this may find you in Phili if the mail does it’s duty, of which the improvement of the season admits a hope.

I send you with pleasure a lre to the President as you requested. but I am afraid you are proposing to yourself a life of their diet, that of living by the charities you may render to others. a thickening to your soup will certainly be needed from some other quarter. the govmt to whom you look is like a sow with more pigs than teats. I wish it may have a good one for you.

I am glad to find you are still able to pay your annual visit to Philad I hear such wonders of it’s increase and of that of N.Y. that I wish I could see their condn before I depart. I have friends too there whom it would delight me to see. but years & debility say no and I must acquiesce. long health & prosperity to you with the assurances of my great esteem & respect