I owe you an apology for my long silence & especially as I have two letters of yours unanswered. My Cirt. did not end until the latter part of June, & I have ever since been overwhelmed with pressing private or public concerns, which have obliged me to postpone all other business. In addition to my other labours I have been obliged to prepare a Discourse to be delivered this month before a Literary society (the P. B.
In conformity with your wish expressed in your last letter I have deposited the boxes in the steam boat addressed to you to the care of Mr Herbert. The captain received them from me & assured me that he would put them in his room & deliver them safely at Alexandria.
I have received the box of letters by the steam boat.
The court which has just terminated has furnished some business for your Honors at Washington. I have had some new & intricate questions on one of which, that goes up to the Supreme court, I decided on reflection differently from my first impression.1 That judgement will probably be reversed.
After introducing to you my amiable young friend Maurice Herbert, who goes up with a view to take all the Wine you may leave, I have to request that you will write me as much at large as your time will admit, how the Court is going on? what Cases decided? what likely to be decided? And when you think with Certainty of adjourning? Above all, take care of your own health— neither the Judiciary, nor your Country can spare you. farewell—Affectly yrs