I had the pleasure of writing to you last night, under an Impression, that the Rosina (or Rosanna)1 would have sailed early this morning, but her being detained, affords me an opportunity of writing you a longer Letter.

I am much indebted to you, for the Information respecting Mrs. White, and entirely acquiese, in the Truth of your Observations to her Son. My Ideas relative to a Reconciliation are well known to you. I feel a Reluctance, to live familiarly with persons, whom I neither love, nor respect. Forgiveness and Reconciliation are distinct; the former is enjoined, but not the latter. If a Reconcilement of hearts could be effected, I would willing agree to it, but a mere agreement to see each other, and to say nothing of what has past, can seldom be useful, and sometimes may be dangerous. If the old Lady really regreted her absurd conduct towards us, I would not oppose a reconciliation, but while she entertains the Sentiments, she hath cherished for some years past, she cannot disoblige me, but by returning to this Country.2

I spent two days with Major Lyons last week— his acct. is still unsettled, (owing to his not being prepared) he promises, he will be ready upon the tenth of next Month, when he is to meet me at Rye for that Purpose.—

He says that the work at the mill, has interfered with his business. Hay to the amount of about 150 loads, was cured without being wet by rain— Mr. Green the Mill-Wright, has changed the Mare he bought of the major, for the other handsome Mare.

In my Opinion, John deserves credit for the manner, in which the work at the mill is executed. The machinery appears to me, to be of better materials, and to be better put together, then that in the mill of Mr. Ramsay at Kings bridge, wh. I examined, for the express purpose of forming a Judgment upon this Subject— The house itself appears well built, and is of good Timber, the foundation, as far as I can judge, cannot be made better than it is. The Dam has proved a heavy work, from what I can learn, and see, it hath been executed with Judgment and Care, and will probably last an Age. It still wants about four feet and an half in height— part of it is planked and gravelled. It is said, it will be finished in one fortnight, but I think it will require longer time, one floor of the mill house is laid— Six Yoke of oxen are employed, and the Major obliges his Bulls to lend their assistance— No money appears to be uselessly expend, but equal Care has not been taken of Time. I have been much embarrassed with John, who immediately after your Departure, took offense, and has made it a point to be from home, when I am at the mill— A Conversation he had with Aunt Jay, and some Feathers I observed abt. the major ^convinces me^ the true reason is to avoid an examination of his Accts.— I have forborn to do any thing, which might tend to give him a distaste to a work, which I consider of much Importance to you, or to lessen his Ideas of his own Responsibility for it. I requested the Majr. to acquaint him, that if he will make out his Acct. ag[ains]t. you for boarding the workmen, and let me have it, it shall be paid. The Major will probably marry in a short time, then, and not till then, will his business be conducted with regularity.3

I cannot account for your not having recd., but one Letter from me by the 14th. of Septr. I have written to you in every Month except May; and my Letters were regularly put into the Letter-bags at the Coffee house, either by Mr. Towt or myself.— Uncle Fady says, that one of the vessels, by wh. we wrote was carried into France. I learn that the Leeds wh. carried a Letter from me of the 11th. of Octr.4 has put back in New London into Distress; As a Paragraph of that Letter, related to your business, I will transcribe it—

“Mr. Van Horne has recd. of Mr. Grant, the balance due upon the Jamaica bonds, for which he had taken good Notes. Your proportion of this balance is abt. £400.1.6; of this Sum Aunt Jay Yesterday recd. £395. the remaining £5.1.6 I chose to leave with Mr. Van Horne for the Sake of keeping the Acct. open—5 Stagg has discharged the Judgmt. against him— King hath paid his note.— I have this Day given Mr. Kelly a power of Atty to negociate your business in Vermont.”6

The Letters, wh. I have had the Pleasure to ^write^ you, were of the following dates, vizt. The 15th. June—the 25th. July (I being then setting out for Albany, whence I did not return untill the 14th. of Augt.) the 30th. Augt.—the 18th. Septr.—the 11th. Octr.—the 16th. Octr. & the 18th. Novr.—7

On the 17th. of Octr. I set out for Albany a second Time, and did not return before the 17th. Instant— I visited the Lands in Washington County, they are well worth the sum I mentioned in a former Letter— the Tenants are willing to pay that price for them— a Deed is all that is wanting—

Our families are well— Your Sally talks faster than my Peter, but both talk enough for their Age—8 William grows a fine Boy— I am Dear Sir Your affte. Nephew