Since my return, I have been principally occupied with the court at New-Castle which has been sitting for two weeks, & which I have not had an opportunity of attending for the last year. I have however devoted a good deal of time to Mr. Clark’s case & have formed an opinion decidedly unfavorable to any claim on the United States, perfectly to my own satisfaction tho’ I fear not to his. However I have done it according to the best of my judgment & after mature reflection & diligent enquiry into the subject.

I should be glad to have a few complete sets of the late documents, that I might put them into the hands of those who would attentively read them, & circulate the satisfactory information they contain among the people of this State, & of Penna.

I fear the wholesome effects of the embargo will be in some degree defeated in relation to the more important British West India islands as Jamaica &c. A vessel arrived yesterday from Jamaica the supercargo of which resides here. He says they were in no want of flour at Jamaica. I gave the President an account of what has been doing here to evade the embargo. The fact is that for the best flour for family use I give $5.50 for a barrel & I beleive it is by the quantity $5.25. So that there is little difference between the present price & that before the embargo was laid. I respectfully suggested the remedy also.

I sent you some days since the copy of Franklin’s correspondence which I trust you received in safety. I have not fixed any day to return, but shall always hold myself in readiness. My wish is to visit Philada. before I go to Washington again & to attend another court, here.

Please to present my best respects to Mrs. Madison & to believe me Yours Very Resply. & Sincerely