My Dearest Friend

I dined Yesterday with Dr. Rush who desired me to send the inclosed oration upon a weak Democrat whom he is pleased to call a great Philosopher, Astronomer and Republican. We must put up with the Vagaries of our flighty friend.

Mr. and Mrs. Liston the Britons dined there -- the first time I had met the Lady. They are Scotch, Genteel People. Mr. and Mrs. Regall dined there too. Mr. Regal brought a Letter you remember from Mr. Adams. A Man of Sixty perhaps married to an handsome Girl of 30. -- a Man of Learning. But I presume Enthusiastical. He talks much of the Philosophy of Mr. Kant or Kent or some such name a German of great fame. He Speaks of him sometimes very extravagantly. I heard him Say that he thought Kant would make a third from Socrates and Jesus Christ.

Mankind Seem to me to have lost their Senses.

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I Yesterday received yours of the 25 of Decr. [Abigail to John, 25 December 1796] The Cold has been here as constant and Severe as with you. I hope you will get Wood enough. Yet it is uncertain how much will be necessary. Stones cannot be sledded in too great Numbers -- they will not be stolen.

Have you Seen the Second Guillotina from Connecticut, in its Usual Strain of wicked Satyr.

Neither Virginia nor any other State, except the wise Pensilvania and the Wise Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky ever intended B. should be Vice.

I have received all the one sett of Votes from each State and the highest Number is 71, according to the Accounts. The Votes are all sealed up.

I say too "If thou oh Lord go not up with Us, carry us not up thither."

I inclosed a Post Note for 600 on the 22d. of December.

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[Endorsement -- see page image]