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devoted the last seven years wholly to the promotionof a favourite object, the amelioration of the penallaws, and the establishment of a penitentiary housein this state, I have been prevented from bestowingthe 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 trainof successful experiment, as to permit me to with-draw from that close application which has beenhitherto requisite, I shall have leisure to attend toother 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, Imean to give some portion of the remainder of mylife (as Providence may spare it) to the service of thepoorer classes of society.—It would not, therefore, beagreeable 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 tomyself, will not prevent my using every exertion topromote 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 attendingthe 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, WilliamJohnson, Esquire, of this city, whose disposition willprompt him to feel an equal and lively interest inwhatever concerns thee, as he has read thy workswith singular avidity and pleasure, and has conceivedthe highest respect for thee; and if he can be inducedto accept it, I should cheerfully relinquish to himevery 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