However ungallant the speech may be I will never theless say I greatly rejoice in the event you announce. It would be difficult if not impracticable to find the materials for a better match & in this instance the old Lady (Dame Fortune I mean) has certainly not been either blind or in a hurry. Make my best respects to the parties & say how truly I have their happiness at heart. But it wont do my dear fellow for me to come up. The wedding would be regarded as a pretext & some intrigue growing out of Gov Clintons death the real object. However indifferent I may be as to what the <dogs> say about me personally I am not disposed to give them materials for insinuations may by <possibility> affect other interests than my own. I have been actually down with a fever for a week, am better ^very nearly well^ but have not yet left the house. As soon as I get up I think I will follow Tom’s example if I can get any honest woman fool enough to have me. McLane has laid violent hands upon all the Wine. I demurred at first but when I found that you was to be Brother in Law to a three tailed Bashaw in wine, I gave the matter up. Make my best respects to Mrs H & all your family not forgetting <illegible> & believe me to be as allways