[. . .] attachment which I feel [. . .] your administration, & for [. . .] state the reasons which have [. . .] me absolutely to decline being [. . .] [for] the seat I now hold, at the ensu[ing] [. . .]

When [I agre]ed to stand a poll for Rep: to Cong. it [. . .] consequence of very pressing solicitations & from a beleif, which the opinions of others had impressed on my mind, that I might possibly turn out Mr. Bayard, who had been so extremely violent, as to rouse not only political, but to excite personal feeling against him. At the time I was dependent on my profession alone for the support of a numerous family & I was well aware of the fatal effects it would have on my practice & which I have since felt. The times I thought called for the sacrifice & I was [willing?] [. . .] I was successf[ul] [. . .] & its champ[. . .] the mark of Repu[. . .] [. . .] our flag. The few [. . .] [. . .]ings of this description [. . .] a dozen, I believe to be worn [. . .]. They ought to be consider[. . .] [. . .]

Stripped [. . .] by tories & toryism of a large estate [. . .] my uncle Cæsar Rodney with whom [. . .] well acquainted, thro the friendship & [. . .] [Gov]ernor McKean from purely patriotic motives I was enabled to commence life in my professional character. By my practice I have maintained not only myself & family but my father & sister, together with the family of an Aunt for a number of years. And should before this, have acquired a competence had not an attack of the yellow fever in 98’ brought me to the verge of the grave & laid the foundation of a state of extreme ill health which contin[ued] [. . .] 1800. 1801. I was [. . .] & indeed afterw[ards] [. . .] my profession with [. . .] am now in the [. . .] [be]tter state of health [. . .] & can therefore [. . .] with increased assiduity [. . .] me to this step at this period. I have [. . .] [. . .]ved that my present situation is ruinous [. . .] business. Recollect the judges are [. . .] [. . .]al & I have no favor to expect now [. . .] it from the Court: Another reason which I cannot fully explain but which you will feel the force of, in consequence of a change of disposition on the part of one who ought to aid & assist me produced too by federal intrigue, my family situation is so altered that I would not for any consideration be dependent for a single dollar. This reason with a man of independent mind is insuperable & with me it has been conclusive, ever since I was [. . .] not suffer [. . .]

[. . .] that I should not be [. . .] I was first set up, & [. . .] resolution they have [. . .] again & you will perceive [. . .] from Read Montgomery & A[. . .] [. . .] I have been pressed. They are a few of [. . .] number I have received. Mr. Read [. . .] you know. Dr Alexander has been once [. . .] for Governor & once for Rep. to Cong. T. Montgomery has been our candidate for Governor also.

I enclose you also letters from my friends J. Warner & H. Niles which contain some material information. As to Vaughan who submitted to a public cow-skinning from a Fed. sometime ago & Mendenhall who has lately submitted to a caning from a Republican, they are of themselves too contemptible to be named. But to me the authors of the [. . .] Clane, for the [. . .], now leagued [. . .] mischief excites in [. . .] [be]cause they have no [. . .] but on the subject of [. . .] the game which this infamous [. . .] to play at the last Boro[ugh] [. . .], when the barge-men were all ma[. . .] [. . .] [. . .]te. They consider Wilmington as the [. . .] of Republicanism & endeavor by little [. . .] difference about market houses spring water & strict regulations to create division, in hopes that in time it will extend itself to politicks. Mr. Dickenson who had been too long imposed on by the artifice & sycophaney of Vaughan gave me when I visited home a dinner at which the principal Republicans of the Borough & its vicinity were invited. J. Warner, Dr. Tilton. Dr. Alexander &c &c. This was the signal for Bayard & B[. . .] [. . .] [. . .]fest that conn[. . .] [. . .] [. . .]isted & it is [. . .] to them.

[. . .] [appear] at public meetings. [. . .] [. . .]ble to revolutionise Ke[. . .] [. . .] electors of Prest. & V. Prest. [. . .] a fair opportunity of att[. . .] [. . .] I shall not fail to improve.

Tho’ I [. . .] promise myself to be of so much use & importance, as you have been partial enough to me, to suppose, yet after an acquaintance with the rules of the house & the forms of proceeding & understanding the temper of members I could be of much more service than hitherto. Thus far I have endeavoured to pursue that unassuming course which should not excite the least jealousy & to adopt that line of conduct which might enable me to heal any [. . .] [. . .]ing acquired in a [. . .] house & attained [. . .] endeavour to imitate [. . .] by associating with the [. . .] in their different lodgings & [. . .] very great subject before it [. . .] house. This is the proper [. . .] [num]erous a body. It would require [. . .] time but it would be well [. . .] heretofore been principally occupied in writing letters [. . .] I seldom write less than a dozen [. . .] hoping it will produce a good effect. [I will] thank you to return this as I have not time to copy it

Yours most Sincerely