“I was totally unable adequately to express my feelings of gratitude to this generous and unshaken friend.  I conducted him to my house, and placed all I possessed at his service.  I related to him every circumstance that had occurred to me since I left France:  and in order to gladden him with tidings which I knew he did not expect, I assured him that the seeds of virtue which he had in former days implanted in my heart, were now about to produce fruit, of which even he should be proud.  He declared to me, that this gladdening announcement more than repaid him for all the fatigue and trouble he had endured.

“We passed two months together at New Orleans whilst waiting the departure of a vessel direct to France; and having at length sailed, we landed only a fortnight since at Havre-de-Grace.  On my arrival I wrote to my family.  By a letter from my elder brother, I there learned my father’s death, which, I dread to think, the disorders of my youth might have hastened.  The wind being favourable for Calais, I embarked for this port, and am now going to the house of one of my relations who lives a few miles off, where my brother said that he should anxiously await my arrival.”