A few Lines I wrote you, crossed your esteem’d favor of the 5th: Augt:1 Want of health, which has not been a little encreased by Disappointments, has occasioned my long silence—I was glad to learn by Sister Susan that your Family were again restored to Health—Mine, excepting self, have all been happy in that way—As to my Dear Kate, she has been better than for years past. Sometimes she talks of a Trip to Jersey in the Spring—I am however inclined to think it will not be in her power—

I am apprehensive the State will make a very bungling hand of the Business with Messrs. Van Staphorsts—Fortunately for me I have slipped out of it & will not be catched easily again—2 I could wish much to see you, but when to flatter myself with that Happiness is impossible to say. I find it very difficult to close old Transactions & fear I have been censured where I have not deserved it—to a frame of sensibility the Idea of failing in punctuality is sufficiently keen without the Reproaches attending it.

I would give a handsome something for an Hour or two of Conversation with you. What think you of the new Constitution? We have often Delineated the Spirit of Republicanism—I cannot trace it in the new raised Structure & fear much it does not exist amongst us—Can it be possible that the Cold Climate of New-England, & Religious Independancy, can so assimulate, as to make a Hot-Bed of Governmental Experiments?

This will be delivered you by Captain Simon White of this Town, who carries with him two half Barrells of Strong Beer for your Own Use & two others for Governor Livingston which I beg the Favor of you to forward by a safe conveyance—It is made at the Brewery in which I am concerned—By those who have drank of it, it is reckoned very good—I think it will help the Relish of a Segar in an Evening & induce you in those moments of contemplation to think of Friends in Baltimore who sincerely love you & yours—Be careful when tapped to make the servant when done drawing to stop close the Vent—With this precaution it will draw good to the last—Should You find it grow Vapid, put what may be left in Bottles—It savors of Presumption to send Beer from Baltimore to New York—But Vanity will discover itself & why not in a Keg of Beer as soon as any other Thing?

Sister Susan will I think stay with us until late in January at least. She is too valuable an Acquisition to be given up without reluctance—

Essex is bravely—He is now at his Greek & tells me he finds it almost as easy as his Latin—I wish Peter was with him—They are more alike in disposition than you can imagine—

Give my kind Love to Mrs. Jay—Why not take a Trip here?—it is very little more by Water than one to Elizabeth Town—All join in most affectionate Remembrance to every Branch & Sprigg of the Family—3 I am respectfully My Dear Sir Yr Affect. hble Servt