My Dear Stewart,

Your Letters of the 18^th. Jany. and 2^d. of Mar. came to my hands at the same time about the 10^th. Instt. I knew of no ship then on the point of Sailing for any part of Great Britain, and therefore have been unavoidably silent till now; indeed I coud have given but a very unsatisfactory answer before this. I participated in the pleasing prospect which seemed to flatter your wishes about the time of writg. your first Letter, as much as I felt for its reverse in the next, but human Affairs are always chequered, and Viscissitudes in this Life are rather to be expected than wondered at. 

I wish my dear Stewart that the circumstances of my Affairs woud have permitted me to have given you an order upon any Person, in the world, I might add, for £400 with as much ease and propriety as you seem to require it, or even for twice that Sum if it woud make you easy; but alas! To shew my inability in this respect, I inclose you a copy of Mr. Cary’s last Acct. currt. against me, which upon my honr and the faith of a Christian is a true one, and transmitted to me with the additional aggravation of a hint at the largeness of it. Messrs. Hanbury’s have also a Balle* against me, and I have no other corrispondants in England with whom I deal, unless it be with a namesake for trifles such as Cloaths; and for these I do not know whether the Balle is for or against me.