Without attempting to make an apology for allowing your two last favours to remain so long unanswered, I will at once inform you my reasons for it, and submit the validity of them to your Judgment— Your first Letter came to hand whilst Colo. Heath was in Town, and therefore I concluded that he would do as much, or more for your Interest than I possibly could— I spoke to him on the occasion, but as he was Just ready to step into his carriage, I had scarce time to understand well what he informed me he had done, much less to compare it with what you wanted done, and what it would be in my power to do— I consequently was prevented from seising that opportunity of Writing— Since the Receipt of your last, I have used every Exercion to get your affairs put into such a tract as would allow me to give you a satisfactory answer— I am happy that this is now in my power— As you mention in your last, the subject of Subsistance, I suppose that Colo. Heath had not at that time reached Virginia, who had obtained the whole which you are entitled to— As to a Balance of the last year for your Servant &c. I shall obtain a Warrant Tomorrow from the War office, to receive it from the Pay-Master— I shall also be able in a few Days to receive your pay for three months, now for Feby March & A<mutilated> This is a measure which <mutilated><re> subsequent to the departure of Colo. Heath <mutilated>will be perhaps m<illegible>— It was at first intended that the pay of the Pri<nt> <mutilated>re arranged <mutilated> should cease; untill a few days ago, when it was thought to be unjust, and the Financier has <mutilated><r> three month's pay— Colo. Heath Recd for you up to February. As to the <mutilated> that will be paid I expect in a very short Time, as I am informed that some certificates <mutilated> and I suppose they will be general after the accounts are all settled— <mutilated> had objected to this Measure and Massachusetts went so farr <mutilated><re> they voted for it— However Congress has asserted that <mutilated>ged in them, and with as much fortitude as Justice, hav<e> <mutilated>qual right to contract for a Commutation, as they ever had <mutilated> surely they have— There Powers are too much contracted to attempt a farther Abridgment of them— The Certificates will be given, bearing Interest from the Date, but when the Principal will be paid must defend upon the Exercions of the States to enable Congress to do it— I will receive your Certificates and Keep them untill further directions— Your three months pay, will be in Mr Morris's Notes, payable in Six months— Whether shall I send you the Notes, or shall I get them discounted and remit the mony? If you are not in immediate want of Cash, I would advise you to wait untill the Notes become payable, rather than to submit to the loss of a discount, which cannot be less than 14 pr Ct— If on the other Hand you wish the Cash to be obtained, you had much better have them negociated in Philadelphia than Virginia, as the Brokers being on the Spot where they are payable, and having more ready mony than other People, can afford to make smaller deductions than could possibly be obtained with you— I shall wait for Information on this Point, and shall with great pleasure execute any plan which you think prudent to Adopt— I have made many Enquiries after Mr Town, but have not been yet able to meet with him— I shall continue my exercions to find him out, but in the mean time, if you can possibly give me any directions which may serve for information you will oblidge me— It is difficult to discover the residence of a person in this Town, if not a conspicuous situation, without some particular direction— I have been <illegible>lly Unfortunate as to Mr James Craigs and if you can obtain any <d><illegible> place of abode, please to communicate it— I shall, however, be a <mutilated> and to settle <the> affair with him as you desire— I am <mutilated> that your offer <mutilated> pay interest for half the time is the most that can be <mutilated> from you, for th<mutilated> of a Bill of Exchange ought certainly to cease untill it is either paid <mutilated> Drawer knows that it is protested.

     I have not yet seen M<mutilated> pleasure to receive your Letter by him— Be<mutilated> well as the sincerest Freindship, are the Claims w<mutilated> in my power to promote your Interest, and whilst I <mutilated> may they last for ever) no pleasure can be greater tha<n><mutilated>. I Return<mutilated> of supplying my<mutilated> Although my present <mutilated> Sir) be assured, that I feel the full force of your <mutilated> only repay with Esteem, & Gratitude— I shall be sufficien<t><mutilated> to remit you the whole, at what time, and in what manner <mutilated> please to direct.

     I had yesterday the Pleasure t<mutilated> my Cousin George, who continues to experience (thank God) <mutilated> Health, from the Salubrious Heir of Rhode Island—<mutilated> wish him not only a permanent but a speedy restoration of <mutilated>.

     No News—The Definitive Treaty is not<mutilated> standing the confident accounts which we have had of it for so<m><mutilated> least we cannot rely on any without being over sanguine— Congres[s]<mutilated> [con]tinues at Princeton, and have absolutely relinquished the Idea of ever <ha><mutilated> Philadelphia again with their Company— Where they will fix is yet [an] Embryo— No decisive opinion can be drawn— They have  returned a polite answer to an <illegible> from the Citizen's of Philadelphia, not solliciting their return but <mutilated>nce to support <the>m, if they <mutilated> to visit a<mutilated>e wh<mutilated>.