Directions for making Muffins

     Your friendly Letter of the 29th of March I received on the 11th Instant. I sent to Mr James McAlpin for his Bill; and to save your too exquisite Feelings I ordered my Housekeeper to inform him—that had he sent it to me immediately on your departure from Phila. I would have discharged it at sight, as I had in my Hands Money sufficient to answer every just demand against you in this City (a mental Reservation) I paid his Bill on the 16th Inst.

     I must beg your Excuse for having so long neglected to execute the little Commission for Mrs Washington. It was some time before Mr Powel received your Letter & I have since that been much indisposed with a Fever & Pain in my Head & Breast— On Enquiry I find that some very handsome white Furr is to be purchased—but as the Season is very far advanced I would reccommend it to your Lady to defer getting it till the Autumn. The Furriers understand preserving it from the Moth much better than Ladies.

 To erase from your Mind any Suspicions that I am indifferent as to your Concerns I am induced to break through an established Rule of never writing to a Gentlemam that does not correspond with Mr Powel. I thought your knowledge of what is proper & your Attachment to him would have rendered it unnecessary for me to give you any Intimations on such a Subject. I cannot ascribe your Silence to any other Cause than a misplaced Diffidence. Had you, attentively, read the Note you received by Govr. Morris this Explanation would have been altogether unnecessary.

     Mrs Powel's most friendly Compliments to Mr B. Washington. Tho' Mr Powel has never had the Pleasure to hear from him, since his departure from Phila., yet as Mrs Powel considers every Promise of hers as inviolable, even on the most trifling Occasions, she has sent him the Book that she once recommended for his Perusal.

I have had the Honor to receive a very polite Address from you; &, tho' I have not the Pleasure to be personally acquainted with you, I beg Leave to assure you it was very acceptable to me from the Mother of Mr Bushrod Washington. I suppose I am indebted to his too generous & gratefull Heart for this Instance of your Attention. He was introduced to Mr Powel by his Uncle, whose Recommendation alone would have given him a sufficient Title to our Respect, but his own Merit confirms his Claim to our Regard. Your Reasons for having sent him to Phila.