Soon after receiving the box containing the correspondence copied at this place I commenced a careful reperusal of it & have just finished that part which concerns the old war of 1754. I find that the last letter is dated the 25th of July 1758 & consequently breaks off in the midst of the interesting transactions which preceded the capture of fort Du Quêsne. Before I made this discovery I had packed up all the books & sent them to you so that it is not in my power to supply this chasm. The last letter is to Colo. Bouquet & I am not certain that the whole is copied as I have only one page without the signature of Genl Washington. I must by the favor of you to have the residue of the letters copied, beginning with that of the 29th of July 1758 to Colo. Bouquet lest I should not have the whole of it. It will not do to publish this part of the correspondence without completing it.

I have received your letter of the 4th. I hope Mr Wayne will concur in allowing me to publish the Introduction to the life in a separate volume, distinctly from the life itself. I would not ask it if I did not believe that it would be expensive rather than profitable; and if I did not suppose that its connexion with the main work, by adding to its size & cost would be a weight upon it. I therefore propose not to connect it even in its publication, with the main work. I wish to publish a few copies & to do it first, because, (excuse this vanity & keep it to yourself) I think it so much improved that its publication may probably be useful to what is to follow. I wish print 500 or 1000 copies & will furnish in the first instance the money to purchase the paper. If Mr Wayne gives his consent I could wish to know immediately from Mr Small on what terms he would print this number of copies, making the advance for the paper. We will correspond on this subject while you are in Philadelphia on the fall circuit. I shall not wish any subscription paper to be used as I am willing to incur the risk of the publication, my object being to do ju<stice> to my own reputation in this work. With the best wishes for your health & with true esteem & affection I am your