My house have lately informed you by letter that the melancholy & distressing Scene in my family had injured my health & for some Days rendered me incapable of attending to my business. Thank God I am now better & again in exercise of my Official duties—but the Doctor strongly advises me to try to pass the Seas to America before Winter with my family—as in his opinion being the best possible remedy to benefit the State of Mrs. Bs Mind & to give strength to my Nerves. Should I resolve on this Measure I shall claim & hope for the indulgence of Govt. for a short absence which I feel assured it would ⟨not⟩ refuse me under existing circumstances particularly as the preservation of my [. . .] is so necessary for me towards the supp⟨ort⟩ of my family—the expences of which a⟨re⟩ much enhanced by the late unhappy [. . .] H H Damen Esq a respectable & cap⟨able⟩ person who had my Official powers when I last visited America will again a⟨ttend⟩ to the duties of my Office—so th⟨at⟩ Govt. may be satisfied nothing c⟨an⟩ suffer on that Acct.

I will bring the Gazettes you de⟨sired⟩ & full answers to your late que⟨stions⟩ as to discriminating duties &c. & s⟨hould⟩ Any thing yet prevent my going they shall be shortly transmitted to you. I have the honor to be With the highest Respect & Esteem Sir Yr Ob Sert