Upon enquiry made of the Clerk of the Merchant who imported the Novels for Mrs Washington, I understand that no duties were paid on them. How this has happened I cannot understand, not having seen the person myself; but I think it probable that as the gentleman who brought them over took the privilege of reading them on the passage, he put them into his trunk & treated them as a part of his own baggage —this however is mer[e]ly conjecture.

     I have taken the liberty to draw upon you in favor of Mr Robt Adams for $104.38 the first Cost as stated in my letter of June last. If I knew the prices of the books got from you last Spring I would deduct their amount; I shall see you however next month when I will pay it. I am sir respectfully yr ob. Servt