Feby 29th 1780
My Dear Sir, Philadelphia
I have your favour of the 18th Ulto. have not wrote you for a long time, owing to the iregularity of the post, And my expecting to leave this every week, And indeed the events of both Health & Spirits, both of which I have in a grate measure lost, by my long & close confinement to business & want of exercise.1 The Inclosed Letter for our Legislature2 you will Please to have deliverd, it is to request that a representation may be sent forward, & another Delegate appointed in my place, at all events I am determind to leave this by the middle of next month. The Letter for Diggs Incloses Letters from the Doctr from Tenerieff, Allso a Certificate of his Exchange, which I have got don by being at the Board of Admirality.
Mr. Dickinson is still in Deleware. I wrote him to let me know his lowest price for the Coach but have not received an answer, have no prospect of geting you a pair of Horses. I have sent you the weekly papers for this month, no news but what you must have heard.
I ever am, Dr sir, Your affectionate,
James Forbes
Receiver’s copy, Lee, Horsey, and Carroll Papers deposit (1985), Maryland Historical Society.
1 Forbes, whose last vote was recorded the previous day, soon stopped attending Congress altogether because of ill health. He last collaborated with George Plater on a delegate letter to Governor Lee on March 7 and he received his final committee assignment on March 10. Forbes died the 25th. See JCC, 16:218, 243, 273, 277, 285 - 86; and Samuel Holten’s Diary, March 25, 1780.
2 Not found.