Your letter of July 31. enclosing a letter from Genl. Washington to Genl. McIntosh came duly to hand. The signature is certainly by Genl. Washington himself, and it is equally certain I think that the body of the letter is in the hand of another. The original draft has very probably been retained & a copy of it sent as must have been frequently the case with him. In writing his name he did not differ from his other writing, and that as I happen to know underwent no change from the period of 1783 till within a few years of his death.

I take this occasion to thank you for the several newspapers politely forwarded to me some time ago. They contained publications from able pens as well as on important subjects. I hazard nothing in the remark notwithstanding the slight attention to them permitted by the very impaired health under which I have long been labouring I return the letter as desired with an offer of my cordial respects & good wishes.