on the present ^statepo^sture of our affairs, & every reveiw has served to convince me that they require a de::licacy & cautiousneſs of conduct, to which we havehitherto been too little attentive. — We have beenhurried on by our feelings to a degree of Precipi::tance which ill accords with the claims of ourFriends, or the opinion of the World. — We havebeen unguarded in forming this hasty Engage::ment; [...]but we must not complete the imprudence by ratifying it, while there is so much reason tofear the Connection would be opposed by thoseFriends on whom you depend.

It is not for us to blame any expecta::tion on your Father's side of your marrying toadvantage; where poſseſsions are so extensiveas those of your Family, the wish of increasing them, if not strictly reasonable, is too common toexcite surprise or resentment. — He has a right