It may be and I dare say is presumed that if I am not returned to my former habits of life, the change is to be ascribed to a preference of ease and indolence to exercise and my wonted activity: But be assured my dear Sir, that at no period of the War have I been obliged myself to go thro’ more drudgery in writing, or have suffered so much confinement to effect it, as since what is called my retirement to domestic ease and tranquillity. Strange as it may seem, it is nevertheless true, that I have been able since I came home, to give very little attention to my own concerns, or to those of others, with which I was entrusted. My Accounts stand as I left them near ten years ago; those who owed me money, a very few instances excepted, availed themselves of what are called the tender Laws, and paid me off with a shilling and sixpence in the pound. Those to whom I owed, I have now to pay under heavy taxes with specie, or its equivalent value. I do not mention these matters by way of complaint, but as an apology for not having rendered you a full and perfect statement of the Acct. as it may stand between us, ‘ere this. I allotted this Winter, supposing the drearyness of the season would afford me leisure to overhaul and adjust all my papers (which are in sad disorder, from the frequent hasty removals of them, from the reach of our trans-atlantic foes, when their Ships appeared)**: but I reckoned without my host; Company, and a continual reference of old military matters, with which I ought to have no concern; applications for Certificates of service &c., copies of orders and the Lord knows what besides, to which whether they are complied with or not, some response must be made, engross nearly my whole time. I am now endeavoring to get some person as a Secretary or Clerk to take the fatigueing part of this business off my hands. I have not yet succeeded, but shall continue my enquiries ‘till one shall offer, properly recommended.