Sir:

I am this day favoured with your letter of the 19th from Kinston, to which place I addressed a letter to you in answer to yours from Halifax of the eleventh which did not come to me till the 24th. I am much concerned for the delay which is likely to occur, but am convinced that it proceeds from the misfortune of this State in having no one fixed place, for the seat of the public business, and the residence of the public Officers, rather than from any faults or remissness in the Officers themselves.

I wrote to Mr. Child immediately on receiving your first letter from Richmond, but as I addressed my letter to him at Hillsborough, his absence from that place was the reason that he had not notice of your intentions before your arrival. I flatter myself that Mr. Child will give you as little trouble and accommodate himself as much to your convenience as the situation & circumstances of our affairs will admit.