Since my return to Virga, I observed by one of our papers, that our Legislature at its Session in may, had passed a law for the relief of all persons whose lands had become forfeited by omissions to enter them on the Commissioners books, or to pay the taxes due on them. I immediately wrote to chief Justice Marshall requesting him to call upon the auditor, & to obtain for me all the information necessary to enable me to secure your Son's tract of land. I have now recieved his answer, the purport of which I take great pleasure in communicating to you. I apprehended that this land had possibly been sold on account of the delinquency of its owner, in which case the difficulty of recovering it might have been seriously increased. But the chief Justice writes me that he was assured by the Auditor, that not a single Sale had been made under the forfeiting Act for nonpayment of Taxes. After examining the law, the Judge says that he presumes your land must be perfectly safe as to past omissions, and that if it has not already been entered with the Commissioner, it may now be done & the taxes may be paid.

     I shall write to an acquaintance of mine living on the Great Kenhawa, I request him to have this¹ land entered on the Commissioners book, and a Statement of the arrears of taxes forwarded to me to be paid at Richmond. But as the residence of my correspondent may be remote from that of the Commissioner, I think it would be well for you to write to some person in that part of the Country, if there be any known to you, & make of him a similar request. I beg you dear sir, to be assured that my best exertions shall be used to save this property.

     I beg leave now to address you upon another subject, in which I think the good people of this State are greatly interested. The Virginia Convention at its last meeting, after recieving the resignation of Doctr Bracken, postponed indefinitely the choice of a Bishop, with a view I presume, to afford an opportunity of seeking a fit candidate for this important office in or out of the State. Since the rising of the Convention, Mr Edm. Lee & myself have been authorised by a committee of the vestry at Richmond to invite Mr Milnor, or any other person we may approve to visit that parish, & to hold out an expectation of a sufficient salary to him if approved. The plan which lies at the botom of all this is to obtain a fit character to exercise the functions of Bishop, as the Convention would not like to elect for that Office a person not then a resident of this State. Should the Minister for the parish at Richmond be in all respects worthy of directing & superintending the episcopal concerns of the Diocese, there is little doubt I understand of his being elected Bishop. I ask you then, Rev'd Sir, in confidence, whether you would recommend an application to Mr Milnor, & to state at what time, by the cano[n] of the Church, he can be ordained, & could be consecrated as bishop Should he be elected? I[f] there is any other person more to be approved, who it is likely would accept the invitation of the people of Richmond? Your answer on these points will be communicated only to my associate, & not to him without your authority. I am Rev'd & Dear Sir with great respect & esteem Yr mo. ob. Servt