I was very much delighted at recieving your last Letter; I began to fear that you had also blotted me from your remembrance. The reasons you assigned for your silence was entirely satisfactory; I know that business must be done, and that none requires a more devoted attention, than that in which you are engaged. In return you must accept a similar apology from me, for not having answered your last faver before this: it came to hand, Just as the Quarterly Sessions had set in, and every moment of time since has been engaged in attending a large circuit of Courts.

     Tho averse from politicks, I believe this Letter must be devoted to the subject. We are all become politician in Virginia; Men Women & Children have learnt to discuss some particular subjects of State importance—Paper Money—British Debts and the encrease of Congressional Power are the principle Topicks. Perhaps no Assembly ever sat down with more information than ours will do at their next meeting; the General Sense of the people is known, and the example of other States is before us. if the injury which those States has sufferred by the Emission of paper Money be truly represented in the public Papers, we shall surely court our ruin by adopting so pernicious a System. Some Men of desperate fortunes, assisted by others more ignorant than wicked, are prepared to make the attempt. The contest will be warm, but I hope fruitless on the side of paper Money. Some of the most powerful and leading members of the house abhor the plan, and will exert every nerve to prevent it. As to British debts, I am afraid that little is to be hoped either from the honesty or wisdom of our Assembly in fulfilling this part of a sacred Treaty. Like paper money it has advocates whose interest it is to prevent the payment of them, and there are many honest and even sensible Men who will support such a measure from opinion & principle; they say that Great Britain has first broken the treaty by carrying off our Slaves, and farther that if we once give up this advantage, we shall have lost every opportunity of either compelling Great Britain to deliver the Western posts, or to recompense ourselves if they refuse. It seems to me that these two steps, unless rightly managed, must ruin us‑ the latter will involve us in a War, and the first incapacitate us from carrying it on. The latter Subject is less understood, the Consequences less apprehended, & therefore not so generally the topic of Conversation. by the Bye, I think there cannot be a more important object than giving more power to Congress; and that without it, we can hardly point out a fœderal head. I am very happy to see in the present dissipated & distracted State of this Country, some sparks of Patriotism still remaining and attempting to rekindle. We have formed a Society in this part of the Country, (called the Patriotic Society) consisting of the most considerable Gentlemen in it, (in which the late President of Congress is a leading Member) for the purpose of considering upon the State of public affairs, to endeavour to find out the Errors of our Laws, in what Manner they may be amended, to keep a watch over our Legislature, and form a sort of check upon them, and at least to reject bad Legislators, and let good Ones know, what is the real Sense of their Constituents. I hope such a Spirit will diffuse itself generally through the State and if properly conducted will produce very happy consequences— You shall be made acquainted with our proceedings. Remember me to all friends & particularly to my much esteemed Mr & Ms Powel. I sat down to write to Mr P. by this opportunity, but the Gentleman who conveys this to the post Office is waiting to go. I shall write to him very soon. believe me to be Sin[c]erely Your friend & Hbe Sert