I had the happiness to recieve your last letter, and permit me to return you many thanks for the favor— I am pleased to find that you have had the goodness to admit of my apologies for my long silence, and I am determined that I will not in future give you any reason to condemn your own generosity, or to suspect my sincerity— The incertainty of your place of abode was always a discouraging circumstance, and raised in me the fears of a miscarriage, than which nothing can be more disagreable, or more destructive of a free and easy Correspondence.

     Give me leave to offer you and my Cousin, my Congratulations on the birth of a fine daughter— I hope that the Health of the parent and child will continue such, as to make your Happiness on this occasion compleat.

     I have not met with any one who can inform me whether you have purchased land in Berkeley, or where you intend to fix your future Home— I confess, I should not wonder if you were to give up the idea of leaving your beautyful seat, which I should imagine must recieve additional value from the peace.

     I heard the other day from our friend George. He passed New-York and went up the North River with an intention of going to Camp— I imagine he will come through Philadelphia on his way to Virginia, unless he should determine to return again by water— I am very uneasy to hear of his bad state of health, and sincerely wish that he would make the recovery of it so essentiel an object as to sacrifice for the present every other pursuit— Were I in his situation I would go immediately to the South of France, where I am informed he would recieve advantages which neither medicine or any other Air could so certainly communicate— I am very anxious to embrace him, and hope e'er long to have this pleasure.

     As I suppose your last letter was written before Major Crocker returned, It will not be necessary for me to trouble you with a subject which he was so much the letter enabled to satisfy you on— I have no doubt but that Congress will adopt the speediest and safest measures for paying of the arrearages due to the Army. The whole Army I imagine is disbanded by this time, or will be in a few days— Genl Lincoln went to Camp two weeks ago for that purpose— The Maryland & Jersey Line were discharged some days past, and the Eastern troops were reserved for the last. I expect Genl Washington on in a very short time, as I suppose he will be anxious to return home as soon as he is done with public business.

     There is very little News in Philada Our wharfs are crouded with Shipping from all parts of Europe, and the City can scar[c]e find room for their Cargoes— Goods are much cheaper than they ever were in America and I believe not higher than in Europe. A happy presage of a trade with all the world— I will send you a News paper if Major Mc Wms can find room for it, or for fear he should not I will mention the most material piece of intelligence in it—¹ The English have lost in the East Indies a detachment of 2000 Infantry, 250 Cavalry, 18 officers and a field train of 13 pieces under the command of Colo. Brathwaite. In consequence of this Cuddalore and Permacoli have capitulated to the French— These are losses of the greatest importance to England, and it must be particularly distressing since they were at peace with France in almost every other part of the world—They have also lost Trincomale.

Offer my love to Mrs Ball and the family— Be assured Sir that I am with every sentiment of Esteem Your friend & Huml Servt