The uneasiness I have suffer'd since the reception of yours can scarcely be exprest. Is it possible you can believe I could be so lost to every Idea of Gratitude as to forget my duty to the best of parents to whom I owe my being & everything else which has rais'd me above the meanest of my species? I cannot conjecture by what means you could possibly be inform'd of a Report which never had any other foundation than the busy tongues of tho<se> who seem to wish for Strife. It has always been my choice since I came to Town rather to expend any small portion of an Evening I had to spare from my Studys amongst the Ladies where I knew my Company was agreable than to run into the common follies of this place & I will be bold to say that I past my time with more innocence & heart felt Satisfaction in that way than many of my acquaintances in pursuit of their wild inclinations. The Lady you refer to was often present & had in common with the rest every testimony of friendship of which they all merited a large portion at my hands; she was my partner at several Balls and other amusement; nor could I conceive that I was in degree to blame, little thinking that such might be consequences or that any person could view this in a light to my disadvantage or represent it to You in the manner they have Done: when I was every day under your immediate inspection you never deny'd me the like amusements, & had you been present here I would never have reciev'd the least check for any part of my conduct— But supposing the whole of what has been told you to be true & that I had really felt a more than common friendship for this young Lady the bare mention of it's being disagreable to you would cause me to desist. Nay was I even arriv'd at that time of Life when I might be suppos'd to be a better Judge for myself no temptation whatever could induce me to act contrary to the happiness & affectionate Councils of Parents I so dearly love & have so much reason to Regard. my whole felicity depend on the continuation of your esteem & by the kind & benificent assistance of my Creator I shall ever endeavour to deserve it. Let me therefore (Dr Mama) intreat you in the name of that maternal Kindness which I have ever experienc'd from you never to believe that I have or ever will act in any manner contrary to Your happiness or the honour of my Kindred & Relations. Your approbation will always yeld me a satisfaction next to that of my own breast & a mind free from self-reproach: do inform Papa (if the report has come to his Ears) what I have wrote & shall be miserable 'till I hear from you again that I may Know you are satisfyed. But what avails what I can possibly Say if you listen to the malicious reports form'd & propagated by some who take every opportunity to injure the innocent & make their characters as Black as their own. I had heard of Capt. Washingtons misfortune before Jerry came up & have been very uneasy ever Since 'though I heard he only had three Shot & was recovering which was not so bad as the whole load although I should fear some danger from the Shot that is not extracted; I cannot help being very sorry for the Capt. & most sincerly pity My Sister whose condition may be more easily conciev'd than expresst. We return her most hearty thanks for the apples which are the greatest rarity she could have sent us the favour we esteem greater that amidst the trouble & confusion of her mind she could think of us & was it not for that should be apt to quarrel with her for allowing so many opportunities to pass unotic'd 'though she has the same reason to retort but Jerry always stays so sho[r]t a time that I scarcely have time to write you— We hear from above that uncle Washington is very unwell which has detain'd him so long from going down to be married & perhaps (though very unlikely) has detain'd Mr Short so long from coming down who I reckon you have expected for a long time— Aunt Washington will be much oblidg'd to you if you have any opportunity to Richmond Court—House to buy her a dozen Cups & Saucers as she does not stand upon price. I Remain Honour'd Madam your Dutyful Son