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.

I had a short session at Phila, and decided but few Cases, but most of these are interesting. Without further preface, I proceed to give you an abbreviated report of them.

At the time I recd your letter of the 7th July, I was engaged in completing some business which would not admit of delay, & as I wished to examine with attention, & a reference to books, the decisions you had given, I determined to postpone my answer until this could be done. In the mean time, our domestic misfortunes occurred, which compelled me to take my family to the mountains, where I remained until it was necessary to commence my circuit duty.

I embrace the first moment of relief from more urgent business to perform my promise to report to you the substance of the decisions made during my last circuit which may be worthy of your notice.

Mr William Herbert of Alexandria being anxious to enter into the marine Corps at Washington, if he can obtain an appointment in it, has applied to me for an introduction to you. This I give him with great pleasure, having had a long acquaintance with him, and a much longer one with the respectable family of which he is a member. He is a gentleman amiable in his manners, possesses a high sense of honor, and, I am persuaded, most of the important qualities to constitute a good Officer.