Upon my arrival at Baltimore about the first of the month, I heard from Judge Chace, with great concern that you were too much indisposed to attend the Supreme Court. The fatigue to which you had been exposed during the Circuit was well calculated to produce this consequence, and you would have acted imprudently I think to venture upon so long a Journey in your then State of health. It will afford me very sincere pleasure to hear of your recovery.

Judge Cushing was seized upon the road by an indisposition so severe as to prevent his proceeding. Fortunately, there was no business brought on which involved any question of importance or difficulty, & the term was consequently short. I went from and returned to Baltimore with our brother Chace, whose excellent flow of spirits & good sense rendered pleasant a Journey which would otherwise have been fatiguing & disagreable.

Being allotted to the middle Circuit, I shall have to retry the many perplexing cases which engaged so much of your time at Philadelphia in the Spring. I can easily foresee that the trials will be rather lengthened than curtailed, unless the same Judge presided who was present at the former trials. To avoid unecessary prolixity so far as may consist with perfect Justice to both sides, I could wish if possible to be made acquainted with the Circumstances attending the insurgent cases, (particularly that of Fries) the mode in which the trials were conducted, & the points made & decided. This may in many instances prevent unecessary discussions, & may aid in the better understanding of such as are important. If you can without much inconvenience forward to me at Philadelphia an abstract from your Notes relative to those cases it will much oblige me. I shall be at that place about the 20th. of September on my way to Trenton; Should your letter arrive after I have gone through I will direct it to be forwarded to me.

Your letter to me from Phila. in the Spring was answered shortly after, but unfortunately I directed it to Annapolis where I supposed you would be. In the post office at that place I suppose it still is.

Mr. Breck’s family with Mrs. Wilson were in the Country so that I did not see them. I recd. a message from them, but could not find an opportunity of riding out. They are all well. With best respects & wishes for yourself & family I am Dear Sir very sincerely yrs.