Your letter of the 31st. Decr. mentioning that one of the manuscript Copies has been delivered to you to [act partially] upon gives me great uneasiness. I am at a loss to account for Mr Marshall's having done so inconsiderate a thing after the letter which I wrote him upon that subject. – I was so particular in my directions to him, as to forbid the delivery of the manuscripts to you even sealed up, unless Mr Morgan consented thereto, & in case of his refusal, I requested him to deposit them so sealed with Mrs. Powel. –

The delivery to you with a permission to set your types, is a violation of my agreement with Morgan, not only in the letter, but in the substance of it. The object which Morgan had in view in regard to this stipulation, was to preclude you from every advantage you could have over him in getting your book out first, so as to send it over to the Continent, before his should be ready. – I am at a loss to know how this faux pas is to be remedied. – One thing is clear, that Morgan must be informed of it, so as to afford him an opportunity of relinquishing the contract if he pleases – This, candour demands & must be [pursued] –Should he decline the bargain, it will be a clear loss to us of $2000. – Perhaps, upon your making proper explanations to him, (which you can do better than I can) he will not insist upon the objection. – If he should, & new negociations should be opened between us, I know nil when the printing will commence. –

I think it was in one of the letters, the rect. of which you acknowledge, that I again mentioned the subject of the maps plans &c, and Morgan's proposition to recieve at his election the originals, the moment your engraver had done with them, or the first impressions made – This I thought reasonable, & requested your opinion. – Until I hear from you on that subject, as well as the one first mentioned in this letter, I cannot answer Mr Morgans letter of the 22d Decr. & I will thank you to make this apology to him for my silence. –

I am have waited most impatiently to hear from the Chief Justice that I may might send on the preface, title page &c. but [illegible] Now, I must wait still longer until I recieve an answer to this letter. –

My next letter will be a full answer to several Of your letters upon subjects not touched upon in this. – I am extremely uneasy about our situation with Morgan & shall be very happy if he should not be disatisfied with what you have done. – I am Dear Sir respectfully & sincerely Yrs