1805 July 18, Alexandria, to Thos. P. Cope, Philadelphia

              Alexandria July 18th 1805



Thos. P. Cope

Respected Kinsman



I did not get thy letter of the 10th Inst. until yesterday; we had not quite completed our collections of Money subscried for the Engene: on fourth day next we shall procure a Check at the City Bank fro $405 and forward it to thee by Post, if thee has not engaged a Vessel to bring it round: we would prefer Capt. Elwood or Hand who will be at your port in a short time: they are careful and will only charge half freight.

I observed in thy last letter an appology for the publication of my letter to our friend Joseph Bringhurst: altho I feele no kind of Ambition to appear in print. nevertheless if the insirtion of that communication can answer any useful purpose. I shall rest satisfyed. I must have appeard obvious to the convention that it was intened only for the eye of a discriminating friend: I am glad you published it in the form you did. More especially in omiting the conluding observation respecting the Richmond society. Not withstanding, they are sound facts which can be subtantially attested; shuch opinions may have a tendancy to extinguish the little spark of life yet remaing among them: & that I would cautiously avoid, please to excuse my detaining thee, the addresses, with a number of Copyes of the minutes of the Convention, were recd by Cap Hand. I have taken care to put them in the hands of a number of friends, & have distributed the addresses to the free blacks among the thoughtful & sober part of them they appear thankful for the attention, Indeed I consdier your labour towards these people, often profitably bestowed we have some among them who are sober orderly good member of society.-  last week I had the pleasure of spending a day at thy Brother Jasper, in Baltimore. am sorry to infrom thee I left him indisposed, tho I believe not seriously ill.  please remember me to thy family & friends. respectfully,



George Drinker