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(170

Dear Sir,
I must commence this note by begging you to
excuse the trouble which I have, unintentionally, occasioned you, of
searching for [W. OR Mr.?] Sutherland's account - I had quite forgotten
that it was returned that I might affix my certificate - It is
now enclosed in this packet _ Nothing surprises me more
than that an office on which the adjustment and identity of
landed property so much depends should be left in the helpless
state to which this of mine has [here OR been?] abandoned- For
more than twenty years I was obliged to grope my way in
perfect darkness, and when the light began to break in
it was owing to the labors and chiefly at the expense of
my Deputies- It has cost me infinite pains to prevent
the inconveniences you describe, yet I can not flatter
myself with having succeeded to such an extent as to
ensure the bountiful maledictions of the rising generation
of Advocates-

I am happy to learn that Sir Peregrine
is somewhat better and should rejoice to hear that his
health was sufficiently reesablished to allow his return
to his Government- I suppose the affairs of our poor