I must make an apology for asking you to accept of the sermon inlosed herewith.1 You knew and loved the man whose death occasioned it, and this circumstance may render it pleasing to you to receive it. Besides, you loved the father of the author and have always been kind and friendly to him in person, and by these means the candor which it needs will be secured in your perusal of it.

Excuse me, sr, for saying that I feel the most lively gratitude for the services which you have done your country, and that you have my constant wishes and prayers for your health and happiness. Mrs 473 Adams, with your good family, share in my best regards, and I am, / sr, with the utmost / respect, / Yr sincere friend & Sert

I Yesterday receivd Your very Polite Letter1 by which I think myself highly Honour’d on this reception, from so great a Character, and shall strictly attend to the Purport thereof. as it is Probable their will be more Cutters than one stationd on our Coast the sea part being so Extensive, I should be glad of such a command should this not be, Please to offer me a Candidate, to the President, to any Post or office You may think me qualified for and be assur’d that no Gentleman, while I have Existence shall have the least reason to reflect on themselves, from any Recommendation they may be pleas’d to give me, though I sometimes think seriously on my being by our Governor and Genl. Lincoln omitted, in their Letters they wrote for Candidates, and my not knowing anything of the cutters being Built, or I should have made an early application for the Cutter in this State, as my claim was so just ’tho never desirous, of holding any Post in Public service was it not meritted.

I shall take Particular care to give Mr. John Q Adams the Journal you mention myself in the course of the next Week; and must say Your very favourable expressions shall be ever gratefully acknowledg’d by, / Sir your most Obedient and very / Humble servant