Fredericksburg June 3 1787. Dear Sir Sometime hath interven'd since the last interchange of friendly communications between us, but be assur'd it hath not proceeded from any abatement in the regard I have always had for you. My cares utterly have been confin'd within a very narrow compass; but my real content & happiness hath not been diminished by this circumstance. To effect an establishment here & detach myself from all other pursuits but those of my profession hath been my object. For five or six months I have been settled in the business of housekeeping, in the duties whereof although we are novices, yet we shall in time improve, nor are we without some pleasure in the slow but regular progress we make in it. Our society is increas'd by the birth of a daughter who contributes not a little to our delight. She bears the name of her mother. We expect you are before us in every respect, but hope especially that we may congratulate you on the happiest fruits of matrimony. I was sorry upon inquiry upon taking my station at the [2] bar to find that yr. affr. with Randolph had been so neglected as to leave its commencment [sic] with me. I had a writ issued & shall forward it to a conclusion with as much dispatch as I am capable of. You will always confer a particular pleasure on me by putting it in my power to serve you, and you will add to the object of my profession, but making me known to those of your acquaintances who have business that kind to transact here. I feel great anxiety as to the success of the business in which you are engaged. To bind the states together by the strongest ties, & to commit their interests to the direction of one common head is the first of my wishes: & I hope will be the event of this meeting. Whatever will be the result of your deliberations time only will unfold, but you have my most earnest prayers for yr. success. I beg of you to present us most respectfully to Mrs. Gerry & to be assur'd of the sincerity with wh. I am yr. friend & servant Jas. Monroe