Your letter would have been sooner answered if I had not known that you had Courts to attend which would detain you for some time from home.

How much was the regret I felt for the heavy losses sustained by so many of the profession, (of which the papers had informed me), encreased by the knowledge, that the materials of Masons third volume were destroyed at the same time! I sincerely hope that you may be able, in some degree, at least, to repair the loss, although it will no doubt give you a vast deal of trouble. I have at this place 15 or 20 of your letters containing abstracts of your decisions, amongst which, unfortunately, are only the three, now enclosed, since the period to which you refer. The others are at Mount Vernon, from which place they shall be forwarded immediately on my return.

The Court at this place adjourned yesterday, after a Session of Six weeks & a half, during which, ma[n]y important & difficult cases have been decided. Enclosed are the only reports of them which have been published that I have been able to obtain. The case of Courcier & Ritter, tho correctly reported, gives but an imperfect idea of the charge— It was furnished, I presumed, by one of the Counsel from his notes. As soon as I reach Mount Vernon (to which place I commence my Journey tomorrow) I shall give you a report of the other cases. In the mean time believe me to be My dear Sir most truly your friend & affect. Servt