Your two kind letters, one by Mr Newton and other of a prior date, came to my hands soon after the[y] were written, and would have been duly answered had an Opportunity offered; but I live so retired that I very rarely hear of any of the very few that go from our County to your Town— My very long silence previous to the receipt of the two above mentioned letters can only, and very justly too, be attributed to the cause mentioned in one of your brotherly & friendly letters; indeed, if I had not been so perfectly acquainted with your generous and considerate disposition I should have been more uneasy at my appearant neglect. I just got here on business of consequence, and hearing of a conveyance for a letter to you, am obliged to write in much haste least my letter should miss the conveyance. I have made every inquiry for a young man of the description mentioned in your letter to live with you, and have applied to several judicious person[s] to assist me in procuring one, but have not yet heard of any one that I could with propriety recommend to you— I shall still continue to inquire, among my acquaintances for such a person as you want, and give you the earliest notice, that you may inform me whether to send him on to you or not. I do assure you it was the earnest desire and fixed intention of my family to have visited you and my Sister, had not my wife's unfortunate illness forbid it— She has recovered from the violence of her complaint, but the Docr thinks it would be imprudent for her to go out and expose herself to a relapse by taking cold— Hannah wishes me very much (since she can not go this Winter) to ride down to see you so soon as the weather shall permit, which I think I certainly shall do if it be p[r]acticable— Present my very affectionate love to my Sister, and believe me to be Yr truly affectionate Brother & friend