This letter had a cover addressed to Mr. John Lefferts Hempstead, Long Island. Dated 1808. On the cover was a note as follows: I wish you to send your letter down as soon as possible as the Vessel sails the latter end of this week.

John Van Norstrand

June 13, 1808

Beaufort April 12, 1808

Dear Brother,

As the season approaches in which I have usually heard from you, all the agreeable sensations revive which are nourished by a friendly intercourse, blest intercourse, which animates every fiber of my heart and calls forth a convivial flow of love which the cold damps of age cannot suppress. Ye Powers above. Ye Guardians of virtue assist a declining child of mortality once more to attempt to keep up that intercourse which alone can supply the place of personal conversation and reciprocal endearments.

Since my last I have experienced various vicissitudes of health and infirmity, but thro` mercy my health seems pretty well restored at present, and I thankfully acknowledge the blessing as it gives me another opportunity of writing to you and the hopes of receiving an answer from you.

I long to hear from you and the rest of my friends, for as many of them are advanced in years, as well as myself. I have reason to expect that some alterations may have taken place in the course of the year.

I have waited all the spring in hopes that some vessel from this place would go to New York in which case I expected to have sent Samuel but as no opportunity offers I send this by a Gentleman who does not expect to return till the fall, therefore cannot expect an answer immediately. Nevertheless if you have anything of consequence to inform me of you can write by post as there is a post office now established in this place where the mail comes regularly once a fortnight.

My family all join me in their respects to yourself, to my sisters and all friends and particularly George who’s welfare we have still at heart, please to inform him that his mother died in September last, that his sister Sally lives with us. that she is a healthy well grown young woman, dutiful and industrious in which I hope he will follow her example.

My wife tho` 2 years younger than myself seems more infirm although she is seldom confined to the house. She is often talking and dreaming of your making us a visit and seems full of hopes of seeing you here. I heartily wish it might suit you to comply with our wishes in crowning her hopes. All the encouragement I can give is that when you arrive you will, I hope, find us pleasantly situated with a comfortable habitation and a family united in friendship peace.