Cover addressed to John Lefferts, Hempstead, Long Island 1806

Beaufort Oct. 29^th 1806

Dear Brother,

Yours of the 2^nd Sept. I rec`d together with a number of others from my friends the contents whereof were read with a grateful sense of that love and friendly connection which unites families together.

I am this day 70 years of age and in taking a retrospective view of the satisfaction which I have received in the annual visits which for several successive years I made among you, I cannot restrain the friendly tear when I consider that those heart cheering scenes are no more to return...No... my beloved Friends, they are past and gone, and I fear that an epistolary correspondence cannot long survive as the disorder in my eye makes writing a painful exercise.

Your promise to act as a Guardian to George gives me great satisfaction and I pray the Almighty to crown your endeavor with success.

I must make my letter short and Samuel can supply the deficiencies by answering all your inquiries.

To my sisters & yourself I wish to express that disinterested friendship and sincere love which I trust will continue thro` all the changes of life and serve to prove me your truly affectionate brother till death.

Samuel Leffers