Dear Brother,

I waited a long time for a conveyance by water and as none offered I sent this letter by post and directed to John Van Norstrand, one to Wm. Nash (?) and one to your self with a letter to Samuel enclosed to save on fines. If these letters are not come to hand I presume they may be found in the Post Office.

An unexpected opportunity now offering I gladly embrace it fearing the other letters might miscarry.

I have nothing new to relate, my family and friends here are much in the situation I found them in at my return home last fall.

There is great complaints of dull times since the peace in Europe. Our Vessels which use the West Indies trade having for a long time past accustomed to make good voyages and bring home considerable quantities of cash bring nothing of late from the English Islands but rum for which there is a very dull sale and from the Cape Bills on France which is worse.

I have had pretty good success in selling my goods which I brought home with me but as my assortment is broken I have thoughts, if life and health permits, and I meet with an opportunity in a good vessel to take a trip to New York this summer in order to get a new supply and make a short visit, but as this is altogether uncertain I should be glad to hear from you and hope you will not neglect to write. If you lodge letters in New York with some careful hand, there are frequent opportunities in the summer season to send them to New Bern where they may be put into the Post Office and are sure to come to hand as the mail comes from New Bern to Beaufort once a fortnight.

I should be very glad of a letter from Samuel that I may see how he improves in writing.

My wife and daughters are in tolerable health and desire to be remembered to you and in conjunction with myself to all relations and friends.