Chelsea June 5th 1795

Dear Sir

I arrived here about five months ago but have since been a good deal engaged, which however, is a bad apology for not writing sooner. for a Week or two I have been contributing with others my feeble efforts to destroy certain calumnious [ ] against General Grey & Sir [ ][ ] who have been lately most honorably exonerated by the House of Commons. I know not if my exertions on these or other occasions will produce any good, but I will remember your sensible advice and decline going to the West Indies -- except on such terms as I cannot expect or obtain. Mrs Chalmers and the young Ladies are uneasy at not hearing from You; and I am apprehensive You have not Received my Letter accompanying some sugar, coffee, cocoa, & sweet meats from the West Indies -- I left Your Friend Jekyll well in Tobago where he remained in health on the 3d of last march. I have been about purchasing a Company for him in the 22d Regiment now in St Domingo at the Regulation -- I hope I shall effect the purchase in a few days. I have unfortunately lost some time in the purchase else He would already have been the 3d or 4th Captain the causes of delay were first I wished to have heard from Him secondly I wished to have been [ ] of the payment of the Bills I brought with Me drawn on certain Merchants of Grenada -- for should these be protested in consequence of the convulsions of that Island; the purchase in question would be really improper for very Substantial reasons.

The property in Maryland is certainly in the best possible hands -- never the less tho’ it nominally produces pretty handsome sums it [torn] really a charge to Us. for tho’ Good Mr Chew in his accurate accots states that upwards of six hundred pounds currency is due; never the less the money is outstanding wherefore it seems he found it necessary to draw on Me for 96 pounds. 16 of Sterling which Bill to my great mortification I thought but a few days ago to pay. I have just said that a considerable sum is due nevertheless I doubt it’s ever being paid for [urgent?] claims are constantly brought against Me by [ ] Men which against Me have the same operation us if well founded. In a Word(,) I must believe this excellent property well never be usefull unless We go to America -- Mr [ ] more than once wished the Family & Mrs C having [ ] to [ ] her chagrin at my disappointments, He offered to get the [Att-----] reversed.

Mrs Chalmers & his daughters Send their love to Mrs Saunders to You and the Children and I ever remain with much esteem & Sincere Affection

Yours &C
James Chalmers

Pray favor us with a word or two concerning your opinion of our going to A[merica] I am I must confess much inclined [torn] Mrs C [ ] [ ] opinion(.)