Your favor of the 7th March came to hand by the last post, but too late to permit an answer to be returned before the present time. I have never condemned you for demanding of the executors of your father or of their representatives a settlement of their accounts, and altho' I thought it unkind to institute a Suit agt me until such a call had been unsuccessfully made, I am perfectly satisfied with the reasons assigned in your letter for having proceeded in that way. The inconsiderable agency which my father had in the management of my Uncle's personal estate, leaves me little to fear for the result of an investigation if I perfectly knew how to distinguish his acts from others with whom he was united. But I foresee a great deal of trouble & perhaps difficulty, in doing this. My father dying in Jany 87, my enquiries will not extend to a later period.

     I readily accede to your proposal of entering upon an amicable adjustment of this business, without asking a dismission of the Suit. It may remain if you think proper in statu quo until the fruits of our exertions to settle it otherwise are known. The proposal accomodates me in one respect and I thank you for having made it. It will enable me I flatter myself to avail myself of the assistance of some man of business in the neighbourhood or you & of the transactions to which our enquiries are to be directed, who can perhaps do all that my personal exertions could effe[c]t and thus save me the trouble of attending to it— Indeed, I apprehend that the repeal of the Judiciary law by restoring us to our former labours will put it out of my power to go to Berkley. Believing your intentions to be correct & by no means unfriendly I shall hope for all the indulgencies which your situation will permit you to grant which may tend to relieve me from a personal attendance.

     I write by this post to engage a Gentleman in this business, & if he will undertake it I shall immediately direct his attention to such points as seem essential. Acknowledging myself a total stranger to the business and left to wander in the dark I shall rely upon your candour to state to me or to the Gentleman who will represent me, the particular deficienc[i]es which form the Subject of your claim in general & agt me especially. My reason for this is, that I may not be exposed to the trouble of investigating points about which no dispute exists. I hope the business may be easily concluded in the course of the approaching Summer. I am dear Sir affectiontly Yrs