Your letter of the 20th confirming the anticipations of your good father contained in one of an earlier date from him respecting a speedy liberation from his confinement, has afforded me the most sincere pleasure. I was very much afraid, from what I had heard, that his wound would heal very slowly, and that the want of exercise; and inability to stir about his farm might seriously affect both his spirits and his general health. God grant him a long and comfortable life, and that, at all events, he may last out my time, as a divorce after an union of 25 years & more could not fail to be very severely felt.

     I know not what to think of the unexampled number of prosecutions in the C.C. for the same offence, as I presume they are. How and when will they be disposed of, and what is to become of our civil list in the mean time? These are considerations which press very seriously upon my mind. I am determined how ever to think as seldom as possible of evils which may in a great measure turn out to be imaginary, and to prepare to meet them, should they prove to be real.

     I cannot make out the plaintiffs name in the case you mention, & not having with me the abridgment, I can form no opinion respecting it. But as I have condemned the decision upon more mature reflection, and you concur in the condemnation, it will be best I think not to publish it.

     I delivered your message to the Chief Justice who I found in his room, and shall the same to the other Judges when they come in. Had the Pt made the appointment which was anticipated, both offices would have been well filled, & I sincerely regret that he did not— I am with very great regard my dear Sir truly & sincerely yrs