Downing Jan. 31. 1783.

Dear Sir

I do allow that Christmas is a little passed: but be assured that your works before that time put my own so backward that I must bring my first volume to town to be bound before all my drawings in it are finished. You may depend on having yours delivered by myself by march 9^th. Deo volente.¹ by which time myself & family hope to be in town.

I rejoice much at the thoughts of Peace:² perhaps it may be equal to what we may expect after our ill run of fortune. But I discard politics for the rest of my days as the [sic] serve only uselessly to disquiet our minds. I hope to have with you some agreable talks on less perplexing subjects.

& am
Dear Sir
y^r faithful
humble serv^t

Tho. Pennant

Be so good as to excuse the inclosed & let go to the penny post.³

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Editorial notes

1. 'God willing'.
2. Preliminary treatises of peace between Britain and the United States, France and Spain were presented to parliament on 27 January 1783.
3. The enclosure is not preserved in the manuscript.