The Proceedings of the Committees of the four New England States have been read in Congress and are now under the Consideration of a Committee of the whole. They are much applauded as being salutary and wise. I had heard that one of your Delegates at that Convention had written a long Letter to his Friend and Confident here, and hearing it whisperd that the Massachusetts State disapprovd of the Proceedings, I was led to ask the Gentleman who had receivd the Letter concerning it. He confirmd it and said that not only the Trade but the landed Gentlemen in the House of Representatives were sanguine against it. I beg'd him to let me see his Letter but he refusd in a kind of Pet, telling me it was a private Letter, & leaving me to conjecture whether I had really been impertinent in asking a Sight of his Letter or whether the Contents of it were such as it was not proper for me to see. You will easily conceive what a Scituation a Man must be in here, who having receivd no Intelligence of the Sentiments of his Constituents himself is obligd in vain to ask of another upon what Principles they have disapprovd of a Measure if in truth they did disapprove of it, of which he is called to give his own opinion. You may see, my Friend, from this Instance, the Necessity of your writing to me oftener. When I was told upon the forementiond occasion, that I should be intitled to see the Letters of another whenever I should be disposd to show those which I receive myself, I could have truly said that I had scarcely receivd any. Two only FROM YOU in the Space of near four Months. But I have no Claim to your Favors, however much I value them, unless perhaps upon the Score of my having neglected not a single Opportunity of writing to you. Your omitting even to acknowledge the Receipt of my Letters, I might indeed construe as a silent Hint that they were displeasing to you, but I will not believe this till I have it under your own hand. While I am writing your very agreable Letter is brought to me by Mr Lovell. You therein speak, as you ever have done, the Language of my Soul. Mr Adams tells me you are President of the Board of War; I am therefore inducd to recall what I have just now said which you may construe as an implied Censure for your not having written to me oftener. I am sure you must have a great Deal of Business in your hands. I am not however sorry to hear it, provided your Health is not injurd by it. I pray God to preserve the Health of your Body and the Vigor of your Mind. We must cheerfully deny our selves domestick Happiness and the sweet Tranquility of private Life when our Country demands our Services. Give me Leave to hint to you my Opinion that it would be a Saving to our State in the Way of Supply if the Board of War would consign the Cargos wch they order here to a Merchant of good Character rather than to the Master of the Vessell--possibly there may be Exceptions, But I have Reason to think a Cargo which arrivd about a fortnight ago