I recd your favor of the 1st Inst. which a few moments only are allowed me to acknowledge. The house has been full of company since our return, and I can hardly expect to have much leisure, until the visits of ceremony are at an end.

     I entirely agree in Opinion with you that the present mode of our doing business will not answer. If no one executor can or will reply to persons applying to purchase, or enter into contracts until he has first consulted with his Coexecutors, it is easy to see that no Sales can without almost a miracle be made. We must either author[i]ze some one or two of the Executors to sell for the best price they can get, sell at public Auction, or employ an agent— The first will be the best & cheapest, and as Mr Lewis & myself live near to each other, in the most public place, & have all the land papers, if the other executors chuse to vest such power in us, I can only say for myself that I will undertake it. I cannot answer for Mr Lewis as he is not at home. I do not mean by this to deprive the other Executors of their equal Share of the Commissions— Let them assist us from time to time with their advice, recieve applications & refer them immediately to us— In this way the lands may be sold perhaps this winter, but not otherwise. Will you give me your opinion as to this proposition & in the mean time I will write to the other executors on the same Subject. As to the Western lands, they ought to be divided in the Spring, and a very clever Man living in the Neighbourhood will undertake the business— Let him lay them off into 23 equal Shares in quantity & quality according to his own Judgt— let them be number'd & the Legatees draw for the successive choices.

     No person perhaps more deeply regrets the death of Mr Maund than myself. I had for him the warmest attachment which I believe he sincerely reciprocated. I very much fear that he has left a distressed family— Mrs Maund is entirely helpless herself, and has no near connection to remove difficulties out of her way. I sincerely wish that my situation would permit me to be serviceable to her.

     Your bill in favor Wm Brown & Co. this day made its appearance & has been paid. With Compts to Mrs W. & love to the boys I am in great haste, but very sincerely Yr friend