Sir:

Yours of the 23rd Inst. came to hand. When I wrote on the 28th I was in haste, as the express was just setting off, there was indeed the appearance though it was only the appearance of some neglect. My trunk containing my clothes and Journals of Congress, and all my public papers had been at New York on the 26th of May. The vessel did not arrive here till this morning. My baggage is not yet landed. I have a Copy of some of the papers—not all of them, for as Mr. Spaight continued in Congress after my time was out, and the chief debates respecting the Western Country took place after the 14th of May, it was Mr. Spaight's duty not mine, to communicate the same to the Executive. I mentioned the subject to him, and understood from him that he had ordered a Copy of the whole to be made out. I presume he brings it with him, or has sent it by post. I thought that my interfering after my service was ended might seem to imply a want of confidence in his diligence. In fact there has no act passed in Congress, but a single recommendation to the State to renew the Cession, but there was much debate, and many yeas and nays were called. The question lost.