You ask me to give you a detailed, choronological Sketch as near as I can of my life. This is impossible at this time & at this place. I will however, as well as my memory will enable me, and the uninterrupted occupation of my time by my official duties, endeavour to answer your various questions, leaving it to you to put them into method.

In answer to your letter, I beg leave to assure you that neither from the papers of Genl Washington, nor from any conversation with him during his life, had I cause to suspect that he considered your father as having been unfriendly to him at any period during the revolutionary war or afterwards. When my father sent me to Philadelphia in the wither of 81-2 with a view to study of the law, the General happened to be in this city, and kindly undertook to superintend the necessary arrangements for my establishment.

Since I came to Virginia, I have generally been so buryed in Retirement as to want opportunities of writing to Philadelphia— You Sir, are the first, to whom my respects are due; permit me to return you my sincere thanks and acknowledgment for the attention and politeness with which you favored me whilst under your care, but most of all for those advantages which I derived from your friendly and instructive Communications in the line of my Studies— Favors which associate in them both utility and complaisance make the deepest impressions on my heart, and fill it with affecti

To anyone but yourself my first words would utter murmurs of complaint for this long, unexpected and disagreeable silence; but as I am too well acquainted with your sentiments of affection & attention to your children to concieve that anything but adverse accidents could have produced this seeming neglect, I must only lament as a misfortune what I cannot censure as a fault.

     Had I not a great deal of fortitude to leave Philadelphia on Good Friday, although so much happiness was promised me if I had staid?

     I ret'd¹ to Town yesterday Evening and in Fredg, found² your Note of the, 6 of august in the Post office of that place; this will account for its not having been sooner answered[.] I am this moment furnished with yours of the 3d Instant. The language of the first gave me some degree of astonishment, as it was unexpected, so I am conscious it was unmerated & I therefore take the liberty of enclosing it back to you..

Necessity obliges me to give you my promissary Note instead of the deposit of a hundred Guineas— I will take it up as soon as I can.

Permit me to recommend my Nephew to you—not only as a student requiring your instruction—but to your attentions as a friend. His youth and inexperience may require it, and I perswade myself his sensibility & gratitude will make you every return which may be in his power.

You will be surprized perhaps at receiving a letter from me—but if the end is answered for which it is written, I shall not think my time miss-spent. Your Father, who seems to entertain a very favourable opinion of your prudence, & I hope, you merit it: in one or two of his letters to me, speaks of the difficulty he is under to make you remittances.

The bearer Mr Bushrod Washington—a Nephew of mine—is sent at his own desire to this City to study the Law— His Father having requested me to get him properly fixed, it would give me much pleasure to see him placed under your care, if it is convenient to you to take another student.

I had the pleasure to recieve your favour of the 21st Jany by Mr Lee which he was so obliging as to send by a Servt on the 8th Inst— it gives us infinite pleasure to hear from you frequently and to hear you are well, I have not the smallest doubt but that you apply your time properly, in persuit of knowledge and that the future advantages you will gain by it will amply repay you for your present labours, gladden the hearts of your parents, and be of service to your Country, inducements strong enough excite exercion in a less reflecting mind then you