devoted the last seven years wholly to the promotion
of a favourite object, the amelioration of the penal
laws, and the establishment of a penitentiary house
in this state, I have been prevented from bestowing
the necessary attention to my private affairs.

This object, which I have had so much at heart,
being now so far accomplished, and put into a train
of successful experiment, as to permit me to with-
draw from that close application which has been
hitherto requisite, I shall have leisure to attend to
other things.

Some property which I have in Vermont

, and Penn-
sylvania, will demand my earliest regard. Not in-
tending to return again to mercantile pursuits, I
mean to give some portion of the remainder of my
life (as Providence may spare it) to the service of the
poorer classes of society.—It would not, therefore, be
agreeable to have any considerable obstacle inter-
posed, which may impede the course I wish to pur-
sue.—But the scheme of action I have proposed to
myself, will not prevent my using every exertion to
promote thy interests, and to fulfil thy wishes.

In whatever I do for thee, I beg to be clearly under-
stood, as disclaiming every pecuniary compensation,
beyond the actual and necessary expense attending
the transactions; but I may find it for thy interest,
and my own satisfaction, to use the advice and assist-
ance of my particular and valuable friend, William
Johnson

, Esquire, of this city, whose disposition will
prompt him to feel an equal and lively interest in
whatever concerns thee, as he has read thy works
with singular avidity and pleasure, and has conceived
the highest respect for thee; and if he can be induced
to accept it, I should cheerfully relinquish to him
every compensation which thee may feel disposed,
in the result of the business to bestow.—I should pre-
fer, if it meets thy approbation, to have his name in-
serted with mine, in thy power of attorney, as from
my intimacy with him, founded on a clear knowledge