MHS Collections Online

Exeter Novr 5th. '99

My old Friend,

I just now received your letter, & beleive me, I have not
experienced so much pleasure this long time. Your generous offer
of a correspondence I embrace with gratitude. I shall allways do
my best endeavours to deserve it, & tho' at the reception of my let-
ters you may not find novelty, at least you will find; that
you are not forgotten. How you could suppose that I should
not wish it I cannot tell; to do it I must have either a very
bad head or a very bad heart. Which, or if either you must
judge. I expect to leave this place for Wilmington in
the state of Delaware, where my father is stationed some
time this week, how long to continue there, I cannot tell, probably
not long. I expect then to reside at Philadelphia to read law.
Where then or what then, I cannot tell is concealed behind
the curtain of futurity. New prospects & new scenes open.

You see I am in the humour of rhyming or rather of borrowing
rhymes. I perceive you have not forgotten Mrs. Flood

yet. Do let the poor old creature rest now she is dead, for
she never had any, while she was alive. You inform me
you are discontented with your present situation. The time may
arrive & probably will arrive, when you will look back upon
the period spent at the university, as among the happiest
hours of your life. But I had better stop or you may
think I have turned parson. You must excuse everything
you find amiss in this as I am so much hurried that I har-
dly know what I am about. When I arrive at Wilming-
ton, I will write oftener & I hope better.

[Postscript]

[Address]

[Endorsement]