and yet I often retire to the little pavilion which is my study and bed-room
and with my flute in hand, and sometimes tears in my eyes, I warble over the
little, evening song of which I sent thee a copy. Ah my beloved, then my heart over-
-leaps the distance of half the world and wholly embraces thee.
      From the letter I received from Sir J.B. I expect that the first ship of war that
shall arrive here from France will bring an order for my liberty. Such an ar-
-rival, however, very seldom happens, and I have been so often disappointed that
I am almost afraid now to permit myself to expect with much anxiety. Per-
-haps six months will terminate my captivity, poƒsibly three may, and it is
even poƒsible that one month may be the termination. According to the first, I
might expect to be in England by Nov. 1806; according to the second, by Aug
1.1806 and the last by April or May 1806.
      I did not find the letter of Sir J.B. so kind as I could have wished. I
see that he is not satisfied with the conduct I have observed towards the French
government here. I have rather considered the justice of my cause than poli
    policy, and have therefore, in his estimation, treated them
    with too much haughtineƒs, and by that means have length-
-end [sic], or perhaps caused, my imprisonment. I am sorry for this opinion which
he seems to entertain, but it is very difficult for a man to treat another
with respect, from whom he is conscious of having deserved well, but by whom
he finds himself deprived of his liberty and otherwise ill-treated. Should
the same circumstance happen to me again, I fear I should follow nearly
the same steps.
      Thy account of my cousin Henny's happy situation at Spal-
-ding, as well as her own letter, give me pleasure; but more particularly
the situation of my two young sisters under so able an instructreƒs. I propose
to write to them all by this conveyance. The bankruptcy of my cousin Wil-
-liam both surprised and grieved me. I cannot think it has arisen from
the impropriety of his own conduct: a want perhaps of calculation, or
the folly or villainy of others, has occasioned it: his re-establishment seems
to bespeak this and gives me as much pleasure as his re-establishment
itself. — What can be the distreƒses into which the Franklin family
has fallen? I am not leƒs interested for them than for my own relations.
The present situation of John F. and of young Lound did not enter into
thy list! — My poor uncle Samuel Ward has, it seems, paid the debt
of nature. From his character I have always suspected that he would
leave his property to our family, although our intimacy with him of late