The motive which induced me to postpone f<or> so long a time an answer to your favor of the 5th of March, will I hope be accepted as a sufficient Apology for the delay.

     Your letter came to hand sometime I think in April, when Mrs Washington's bad State of health had determined me to visit this place early in the succeeding month. Our road lying through the city of New York, I concluded that, whilst there it would be in my power to obtain the most correct information upon the Subject respecting which you had asked my Opinion. The Step you contemplated taking was an important one, and the confidence which your partiality had led you to repose in me, demanded that I should possess you with a certain knowledge of the facts on which your Judgment was to be formed. Great changes I knew had taken place in the bar of that City since I had held a court there. Four eminent lawyers, who then commanded the business, were no longer there, but I knew not how their places had been filled. I therefore concluded that I could not better evince my wish to serve you, than by withholding <mutilated> until I had visited New York and had an opportunity of collecting, at the fountain head the information you <mutilated>.

     Judge Livingston & Mr Oliver Wolcott to whom I applied, as well on account of their perfect knowledge of the Subject submitted to them, as of the disinterestedness with which their opinion would be<mutilated> concur in the following Statement— "The New York bar was never <mutilated> ably occupied than now‑ The n<um>b<ers> of its eminent advocates may not <exc>eed that of other large Cities, but it is more <th>an sufficient for all the bus<mutilated> which for some time has rather dec<mutilated>ned. It is not however so crouded as not to afford room for a gentleman of a neighbouring state whose reputation is already known here. But without this advantage, or some professional gentlemen to take him by the hand, a Stranger of talents would not find it very easy to introduce himself his good business. Several gentlemen from different parts of this State, of considerable Standing, have come to the City in the hope of doing better than in the country, but have generally been disappointed, and had to return. A very great [disad]vantage under which every foreign lawyer labors is his not being allowed to act as Attorney, which deprives him of a very lucrative branch of business, or obliges him to form a connection with a young practitioner, which will greatly diminish his profits. This licence can only be had, according to the existing rules of admission, which are very rigidly enforced, after an actual clerkship of 3 or more years with an Attorney resident within the State. To the degree of Counsel: any gentleman is entitled after practising as such for 4 years with reputation, in any other State—no previous <mutilated> within this State or other qualification, except that of Citizenship being necessary. Should you determine to remove to N.Y: permanently to reside there, you may bring with you any Slaves which you have owned 12 months previous<mutilated> without danger of their being emancipated; but you cannot dispose of them to another for life or years."

     After so full a communication of f<mutilated>, I need not‑I am sure giv<e> an opinion upon the subject of your removal; your own Judgment will undoubtedly be your safest guide. With every wish for your professional success I am Dear Sir respectfully yr mo. ob. Servt