An unsealed letter from you came to my hand this day.1 for the letter I thank you. as it contained expressions of regard & esteem which I have been used to receive from your pen. for the manner I own myself at a loss—

Dos not an unsealed letter from you sir appear like a diminution of that Confidential intercourse that long subsisted? and Conveyed warm from the heart the strong expressions of friendship in many a close sealed packet.

Was you sir apprehensive that your own reputation might suffer by an attention to any one of a family you had been used to hear spoken off with respect and affection by all? only, the public first inspected the Correspondence. Yet perhaps you might mean to do me honour by leting the world see your polite encomium on a late publication.

Indeed I feel myself flattered by the Compliment. & yet more by its being in the stile of my old friend.—

I acknowledge I stand indebted to the vice president for one letter before his of the 26 Decmber.—2

But You must permit me to say some expressions in that letter appeared so irreconcilable with former sentiment that I was impeled much against my inclination to consider it as forbiding any further interruption.—

Delicate friendship Confines as its own disinterested attachment is easily wounded.— I might perhaps feel too sensibly some former impressions that may hereafter be explained.— but I can never tax myself with a voluntary neglect of punctuallity: or the want of attention in any other instance towards friends I thought unimpressable by the Ebullitions [. . .] party or political malice.—

A Copy of the work you informed me you had just received I forwarded immediatly in publication. I knew not what should thus long have retarded its passage.

Nor can I inform you sir from whom you received three other Volumes. but Could I have supposed as you obligingly intimate that you Could have disposd of so many with pleasure & advantage. they should have been much at your Service from the hand of the author.—

Mr Warren returns both friendly and respectful regards.— You will present me also to Mrs Adams.

I am Respected Sir with Sincere Esteem / Your most Obedit / Humble Servant