Being at Bedford, when the Embargo expired, my Absence deprived me of the Pleasure of writing to you, by the vessels which then sailed for England— While at Bedford, I visited the Major, but could not find, that he had made, or was making, any Preparation for Stone wall— Indeed, every Thing seemed to be more at a Stand than ever, and convinced me, that for this Year at least, you will not be a great Gainer by the Farm— The work at the Mill appeared to be Substantial and good— the workmen informed me, they should raise it within ten days, but doubtless the weather, (which has been uncommonly bad) must have occasioned some delay.— John was from home, & as I had informed him of the Time, when I should be at his house, his Absence lead me to conclude, his accts. were not in readiness for settlement.— The major did not appear more prepared— On my coming away, I took Occasion to say, that I shd. see him in about a fortnight, & wd. then settle his acct.—

A Mr. Grant is arrived from Jamaica, who offers to pay, the principal & Interest due on the Bonds from Nathl. Grant, provided the Obligees will assign those Bonds, and the Mortgage to some Gentlemen in England.— You may recollect that the Bonds are payable in Bills of Exchange, which at present, are 8 perCent above par, and consequently the Obligees, by accepting the Principal and Interest in money, will not be benefited by the Advance upon Bills— Mr. V. Horn’s Eagerness to receive his Money, prevented all Treaty with Mr. Grant, upon this Subject, who perhaps, might have been induced, to have offered an Advance of three, or four per Cent, upon the amount of the Debt, to have obtained our acceptance of it in Money.—1

The Power of Atty you left me, does not comprehend this Business, but the one given to Aunt Jay, authorises the discharge, tho’ not the assignment of the mortgage.—2 After an attentive Consideration of this Subject, I advised her, to accept the principal & Interest in money and not to insist upon a payment in Bills, And I am persuaded, that considering all the Circumstances of the Case, a payment in money, notwithstanding the present high rate of exchange, is preferable, to a payment in such Bills, as we should have been obliged to have recd. from Mr. Grant.— Aunt Jay having acquiesced in this Opinion, the only remaining Difficulty arose from the power of Atty— I objected to an Assignment of the Mortgage, to the Persons proposed by Mr. Grant, because they were absent, and ignorant of the Deficiency in the Power— After much Conversation, w[hic]h. it wd. be useless to detail, I told Mr. VHorn that as he had seen the power of Atty. and knew of its Defects, I wd. agree to an Assignmt. of the Mortgage being made to him, and wd. also give him my bond, that upon your Return to America, you shd. ratify the sale— To this he agreed, and Mr. Grant consented, to accepted Mr. VHorn’s assignmt. of the whole— The first of July, is the day appointed for the payment of the money, your Share of wh. amounts to about £1760.—

Remember me affectionately to Peter— They were well at Rye a few Days ago— Both our families are in Health.— I am Dr. Sir Your affte. Nephew,