Now I have all images. Let me compile the transcription from both the primary document (pages 3–6) and the Clements Library copies (pages 10–13) used to resolve damaged passages. Cambridge 24. June 1796. My dear Sir, From Wilmington I troubled you with a few lines requesting an opinion of yours upon a question that had been put to me by a constituent on a speculation [undecipherable] point too — It was — A lent B. a certificate of so many dollars, say in 87 or 8 — B. never returned the certificate nor any like it — but is now willing to pay A. what it is worth — what must be the standard? — 6 p^r cents — 3 p^r cents & deferred stock — divided agreeably to the funding act — ? or how? — with interest from the day of the loan. I c^d I suppose tell him what funds secured the interest — & the repayment of the principal — but really I am not the man to tell him a single word worth its own wind upon value — farther than common honesty may afford a basis — & yet when I saw him in Worcester — I Shall soon go to make my valedictory to things. I Shall look like a simpleton If I can not on a bared head look wise & talk [undecipherable] singly about the value of these papers — Will you aid me by a short solution of this question — A day or two after my arrival here I wrote a few lines to you — deploring M^r M's weak health — thank heaven now better — much mended — and I'm easy & happy — The mind of this district had been more agitated on the late crisis than I expected — their high mightinesses generally are really serene — but they were from all I can hear much alarmed & extremely indignant at the Southern party — but also in a mere drop in the bucket — Delaware was in a perfect ferment — & yet so at their member M^r Patton — young Bayard — a fine young man, of parts & the right sort & parts well directed will succeed him — I inclose a bundle of petitions & I received a few days since from a M^r Clarke a lawyer of Dover on the Treaty — with his letter to me — If it w^d serve a good end it might be published with out names — he does not seem averse to this — I take Philad. papers though now & then we have them — so know not whether French men eat each others heads or Englishmen press our seamen — & rob our merchants — & indeed as my destiny changes from public to private life not much I feel it incumbent to wean gradually from the contemplation of what can not be attained by thinking — to prepare for continued uninterrupted retirement — & to grow small by degree & [undecipherable] less" — yet to leave the full tide of Philad. information is not the easiest task — but what ought to be — must be — Nothing from the posts yet I suppose — I will not say that I have been mortified in not hearing from you I know how much you are engaged — But a news paper in an almost blank sheet — or a note to tell me that you & M^r McHenry are well and almost in your own hand would give my solitary mind a rallying point. I am my dear Sir affectionately [signature: undecipherable] [Addressed:] June 25. / The Honourable / James McHenry Esq^re / Secretary at War / Philadelphia [Free]