Dear Sir,

Presuming that you are by this time settled in your lodgings and official business at New York, I have ventured, without waiting for express leave from you, to prosecute a correspondence in which I expect the balance of information and improvement will be in my favour.

Our winter has hitherto been remarkably favourable. The river was passable on the ice but a few days before our Court was held. The passing is now safe between this and Pownalborough, but the bay, we are told, is not yet frozen; and the snow is not now more than fifteen inches deep in our woods.

Nothing of consequence has transpired in this quarter, except Colo. North's affairs; and this has made considerable noise. His examination as you have doubtless heard, was had before Esq. Wood at Vassalborough the 22. December, and the matter referred thence to the Sessions at Hallowell term, for advice. The Sessions were of opinion that the matter could not come legally before them; but consented to hear the statement of the evidence produced before Esq. Wood; whereupon they proceeded to to give their opinions as individual Justices (and not as Sessions) which were six to two for acquitting Colo. North. Esq. Wood, however, notwithstanding this advice, concluded the evening before the Court rose to order Colo. North committed. But Colo. North having made his escape, he arrested the officer for neglect of duty. Upon further consideration, however, he thought proper to release the officer, who has since sued Esq. Wood for false imprisonment. However this dispute between the Justice