I received, at Norristown, while attending a County Court, your favor of the 25th: ult: with an enclosure for Old-school, which is already delivered to him.1 He is thankful for it, as well as for the translation of Bülow, which you will perceive he has begun to publish. The concluding sentence of the Editor’s introduction will excite your smile, as being the first instance, wherein he has indulged, even a complacent expression, in behalf of Republican freedom. 2 He is now fully convinced, that an Editor of a public paper, in this Country, must learn to sooth, if not to flatter, the ruling passions of the multitude; that he must sometimes coax & intreat opinion, even where opposed to his own conviction; because mankind are very little disposed to hear their foibles censured with the severity of a Cato, or their justice measured by the scale of an Aristides.

Oliver threatens to epistolise you for goodfellowship’ sake, and I assure him, you are not tardy of reply. His patronage, this year, is not equal to that of the last, though, in my opinion, the merit of his paper is greater. Do you ever discuss the topic, in any of your meetings?

In those volumes of letters, which you found in Holland I recollect many, which would bear publication; and Shaw can do nothing better than copy such as you may designate. What a sly old fox, was that Monsieur Franklin. I never read a more wary diplomatic document than the letter you sent.3

I lately received from Mr: Charles Cushing Junr: of Boston, two notes of hand, drawn by the house of Forrest & Stoddert in favor of 205 Mr: Charles House & endorsed by him. Mr: Cushing supposed, that the house of Forrest & Stoddert was established in this City & therefore requests me to present the notes for payment.

I have written to him on the subject & requested further instructions, but have yet received no answer.4 I wish you would take the trouble to see him, and ask what I am to do with the notes. I believe the house of Forrest & Stoddert failed, and think it doubtful whether any thing can now be had from them. I should nevertheless wish to know what disposition I am to make of the Copies of notes. Mr: Cushing informed me, in his letter, that he had other documents in his possession, confessing the debt & promising payment.

With best love to your wife & all friends / I am dear brother / Your’s

My Sympathizing Heart has borne a part in your Sorrows. altho my Hand has been by Sickness prevented from assureing of you by my pen; how Sincerely I mourn with You and Your Family the recent 206 dispensation of Heaven, which has taken from You the Husband of your youth; the Friend and protector of Your Maturer years, and the comforter of your declining days.

The domestic virtues, were all his own particuliarly attachd to his Family. his happiness was intimately blended with theirs—and it was evident to all who knew him, when the World Shone upon him; and around him, how keenly he felt, and how severely he sufferd, from those combined circumstances, which he could not prevent, and which the injustice of Man inflicted upon him and his Family. To that inward malidy, he fell, an early and premature victim, and we are left to mourn, rather for the living: than for him, who is far above the reach of those perplexing cares which rent his Heart assunder whilst living.

Unto that Being who has promised to be a Husband to the Widow, and a Father to the fatherless, I commend You my Friend, and your Children, beseaching him to comfort and support You, under the heaviest Stroke of his Providence with which he hath been pleased to visit you—

Whom the Lord loveth he chastneth, in judgement may he remember Mercy, and bind up your bleading heart and heal your wounded mind,1 is the Sincere and fervent prayer of / your Sympathizing Friend