Since the date of my last letter to you I have been led to a more critical examination of the question which arises in the case of the Post master general vs Reeder viz if the plea offers no legal bar to the action what Judgment is to be rendered? than I had before taken, and the difficulties which attend it, instead of being cleared away, have thickened upon me, so that I feel more at a loss than I ever was in my life upon any other question to come to a satisfactory conclusion.

     I return you many thanks for your letter of the 12th, which was forwarded to me from Philadelphia since I left that place. You have stated precisely that part of the opinion in the case of the U.S. vs. Nicoll which I had forgotten & was anxious to see. It fully sanctions the opinion which I had prepared in the post office case, viz that the giving of a new bond with new sureties by the deputies, in consequence of a requisition of the P. M. G.

I have at length returned home, after an absence of between 4 & 5 months, and I employ the first moments of leisure in reporting to you & brother Story the most interesting cases which came before me for Judgt during my late circuit. I shall say nothing of the Atlantic ins. Co. of N. Y. and the U. S.² which employed us very closely for 9 days, as the case will go to the Supreme Court.

As Mr Sparks will probably leave this in a few days for Boston, I have determined, altho but half settled at home after an absence of 4 or 5 months, to prepare my letter to you that it may be ready for him to take on. The tea cause employed so great a part of the court at Phila. that few others could be tried before the Session came to a close.