I return you a thousand thanks my dear Sir for your kind attentions.— You have already laid me under Obligations which I have had no Opportunities of meriting.— but as I accept your Friendship w^th. great pleasure I will not tire you with Compliment or Apoligy.—

The person whom you have had the goodness to enquire after¹—I could wish to be a man of Breeding and of Letters; who understood, spoke and Wrote, the French and English with Elegance and propriety: for political Reasons it would be well If he were also a Clergyman of the protestant profession; whose Sanctity of manners and happy natural Principles and disposition would diffuse Uninimity and Cheerfulness thro the Ship. And if to these essentials were added, the talent of writing fast and in fair Characters; such a Man would necessarily be worthy of the highest Confidence, and might therefore Assure himself of my Esteem & Friendship, he should allways have a place at my Table, the regulation whereof should be entirely under his direction.—

If it would not be inconvenient for you to enquire I should be glad to be informed if the Engraver could in a short time make or get made for me twelve Silver plates with my Arms² for the Front of Bargemens Caps — and I also wish to find a person who could in the same time make the Caps—I believe they would Answer best if made of Black leather.— As I do not expect to depart before the latter end of the Week—I hope the Seal at least will be previously Finished. I have the honor [&c.]