My dearest Friend

I have received yours of 18th and none later. Your Company here is much desired by every body: but by none so much as me. My Occupation in Business is so incessant, that I could have little time to pass with you, but that little every day would be prescious and invaluable. You express a Willingness to come on: but the thought of your attempting it without consulting your Friends and Physicians, distresses and terrifies me least it should prove fatal to a Life that is dear to me beyond all Expression. If however your Physicians are of Opinion, that you can come on by easy Journeys, in any Way you can think of, your Arrival here will be an inexpressible Satisfaction to me. But if you Attempt to come without a fixed Resolution to take Care of your Health and renounce those fatigues of public places, Drawing Rooms, great Dinners &c. I am

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very apprehensive that this Winter will be your last. A Constitution so wrecked and exhausted as yours has been by a three months confinement, may be easily oversett.

We are all well, and every Thing goes on very well. We had the Ministry and General Officers to dine on Monday and all agreable. I am with tenderness inexpressible ever yours,

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[Endorsement -- see page image]