I have your letter of the 14th: with a paper for which I thank you.1 Mr: Reed, has written to you, in consequence of the information respecting the demur, about delivering his trunk, and contrary to my advice, has sent money to pay Bills, which he says he had already, 126 once discharged.2 I never will recommend any of my friends to that vile house so help me, truth!

Since my return, I have been more occupied with my profession than I had been, for a long time before, though with little immediate profit. My ambition does not aspire to any thing out of the pale of Bar promotion, but it is by no means an easy task to attain eminence in this sphere. The number of competitors added to the difficult and laborious duties in the exercise of our profession, make it a perfect lottery as to success & profit. Every opportunity I get, of holding forth, at the Bar, invigorates zeal, but I have not yet vanquished the terrors & palpitations incident to inexperienced speakers.

During the session of our Supreme Court, we have had some interesting trials & arguments. The case of Pickering vs Reynolds, for a libel was heard a second time, but before the trial was finished, one of the jurors, (a democrat) took sick; the Court adjourned and the juryman was unable to attend during the term. The jury therefore was discharged and another trial must be had. Brown & Relf; who were arraigned on an Indictment for a libel upon Dallas, which was removed to the Sup: Court, plead guilty; or submitted with leave to give matter of extenuation in evidence; the Court sentenced them to pay a fine of three hundred dollars each, the costs of prosecution & bound them over to good behavior for one year—3 So much for this Brimborion.

The ex-ambassador has had a long confab with the port folio-man and I trust it will be profitable to him.4 He has been seriously addressed by several of his warmest friends, and promises reformation.

I spoke to Dickins about sending your paper.

By this or the next Mail I shall send under cover to my father some papers for Mr: Gay, upon business; you will please to deliver them.5

Your friends are all well here. When you write to your good mother, please to remember me kindly to her, and tell her, I hope we shall some day or other meet again, even in this vale of tears, though I hope on no mournful occasion.

Love to Mr: and Mrs: Foster / Your friend

I ought to have acknowledgd Your kind favour of July 23 at an earlier period; but the heat of Summer usually unfits me for every occupation; and I never expect to conquer that disposition to an intermitting fever which always assails me whenever I am debilitated by Heat, or any other indisposition; I have had a very severe attack of the disorder incident to the Fall, and tho it did not amount to a Dysentary, it reduced me very much— I am recovering from it, tho Slowly. I thank you sir for the communication Which you inclosed to me. I have given it to my much valued Friend Doctor Tufts, who has himself used Mercury with beneficial effects in Similar cases—2

The Life of Christopher Ludwick will be read with pleasure by all Lovers of virtue honor and Patriotism;3 it is a model for youth, but my dear Sir these days of prosperity Luxery and dissipation are not those in which such characters flourish; we have an intire new Theory in Religion Morals & politicks, corresponding with our State of Society; they will have their preponderance untill heaven in wrath punishes us for talents misemployd, blessing and benifits wantonly thrown away, and this fair land, now the once the abode of freedom, becomes the prey of some bold Tyrant all the Social feelings which bind man to Man & harmonize Society, are wearing away; and bitter party Spirit & Calumny and falshood are linked together to lay prostrate all those kind affections, without which Life is a curse instead of a blessing do not most of the evils described grow out of our government, and shall we not e’er long be convinced that the passions of men are not held and restrainded by Silken cords, by the still 128 small voice of reason and argument that Liberty which is unrestrainde is a plethora in the political constitution.

you mention having made a collection of annecdotes which relate to our Friend—4 truths are not always to be spoken at the present period they woud be Scoffd at; persecution has followd that Spirit of independance which would not be dominered over by any party, but which undeviatingly pursued that System which has produced the unexampled prosperity of the country; lets others act with the same candour and firmness.

I cannot close my Letter without thanking you for your kind and Friendly attentions to my Son and his Family upon their arrival in your city— My son spoke of it with gratitude— I pray you sir to present my affectionate remembrance to mrs Rush and be assured that the prosperity & happiness of yourself and Family will give the Sincerest pleasure to / your assured Friend and humble / Servant