Dec 1791
Dear M^rs. Dickenson

     If excuses were good for any thing I shou'd half fill
this side with them for having so long delay'd writing to
you. M^r. Dickenson knows my sentiments & the obligations
I feel myself under to you for having so kindly engaged
in a task, which has reliev'd me from much embaraʃsment
as for a compensation, were not the motive of friendship to
me added to it, I am satisfied such a consideration cou'd
have had little weight with you. In the account I gave
you of your Friend previous to his coming to Taxal, I certain=
ly did not exaggerate, tho' at the same time I shou'd in=
deed be very sorry to hear from you that you have found
it precisely just. Deviations from the lines of justice and
truth give me the greatest offence, no palliations can be ad=
mitted, nor half amendments, for he that is only a little false
or dishonest, is restrain'd by his own apprehensions alone
of detection from becoming more so; the mind must be re=
novated before a radical cure can be expected. In the letters
I have receiv'd from my Son he has never fail'd to expreʃs his
sense of the attention & civilities he is daily receiving, I