Your letter of yesterday was duly delivered by your Servant last evening. The subject of it is one in relation to which I have for a long time been obliged to mingle with considerations of friendship, rules of consistency controuling that sentiment, and the controul has latterly become more & more imperative. Direct interpositions, have, during a considerable period been not at all indulged. And other modes of them are sometimes not a little embarrassing. A specific expression of good wishes may unavoidably clash with other claims on them. These remarks will explain the obligation I am under in answering your letter, not to exceed the general but sincere assurances of which I pray you to accept, that I shall always feel a gratification at every manifestation of the respect, your talents & merits, which I have believed to be due to them. Mrs M joins in cordial salutations to yourself and our friends at Farly