I left Mt Vernon in July, and after spending the intervening time in our mountainous country, I arrived at this place the day before yesterday. Your favor of the 7th inst. followed, but did not overtake me until within the last hour. 

I do not know exactly what to say respecting the arrangement which you propose to make of the letters to genl Washington. For every purpose of their further preservation, or of reference to them myself, I see no necessity for any alteration; but if it will facilitate our operations to make it, I can have no objection, presuming that the expense of binding them will be inconsiderable. I am now engaged in erecting a fire proof building for the purpose of insuring their safety when they shall be returned to Mt Vernon. 

I regret most sincerely that it is not in my power to respond to any one of the inquiries you make respecting the early life of genl W; and what is worse, I know of no source of information to which I can apply with any prospect of success. There is not, to my knowledge, a living creature who can assist me, & I have no papers to refer to which have not been subjected to your inspection. If you can form any Judgment when the work you are engaged in will be prepared, or any part of it, for the press, I shall be happy to be informed of it. My reason for making the request is, that I may be enabled to give some answer to the many enquiries which are addressed to me on that subject. I am with great esteem & consideration dear Sir very respectfully & sincerely yrs