Some time last summer I recieved information from my house-joiner at Monticello that some watermen had put into his hands a very elegant walking staff which they had brought for me, but accompanied by no letter or other indication from what quarter it came. I was near returning from my autumnal visit to that place before this information recurred to my mind when I made enquiry for the object and it was produced to me. I desired the person on my departure to trace from what quarter it came but before I recieved from him the result of his enquiries mr Newton made enquiry of me whether I had recieved such a thing, & yesterday informed me more particularly that the favor had come from yourself. I enter into these details to shew how it has happened that I have been so long silent. it is now high time that I make my acknolegements to you for what is certainly the most elegant thing of the kind I have ever seen; and worthy of place, as a curiosity, in any Cabinet whatever I percieve that it is of the horn of some animal, but cannot conjecture of what. setting a high & just value on this mark of your attention, I pray you to accept my particular thanks for it, & with them my salutations & assurances of great respect & consideration.