I was much obliged to you for sending me the answer to Barlows Letter. our Printers in Boston are very inattentive to many publications which would be usefull whilst they print very purile peices— Barlows Letter made its first appearence the last week in the Centinal. I design it shall be succeeded by the replie, tho I think it a very partial one and that it treats Barlow with much more respect than the infamous Letter merrits—1 I say of America, as Gibbons did of England in the Year 92, “that if America with the experience of her own happiness, and the knowledge of French perfidy and French calamities should be seduced to Eat the apple of Security, she would indeed deserve to be driven from the Paradice which she enjoys.” [“]every dog has his day: and these Gallic dogs have had their day of most insolent prosperity”2 had Gibbon lived to this day, what would have been his reflections upon the fate of Buonaparte?

you sent me two Auroras one of which containd a most insolent comment upon the Presidents speech. a Friend also sent me the Chronical. it certainly had not taken its Lesson, for in that I read in a publication full of invective against Great Britain—& apprehension of war with France, “the writer says at this Eventfull period, when nothing but darkness is visible on our political horizon: the speech of the President has appeard like a star Emerging from the storm-threatening clouds, and the patriotic fears of true Americans have subsided. we shall preserve our dignity without craving the assistance of the potentates of the old world” “The situation of Europe is incalculable” we think as the first Majestrate wonderfully gracious and condescending!3 the answer of the House of Rep’s will have a happy effect upon the union and politicks of the states. it looks as if French influence was sunk very low it will also have an influence in Europe. I most sincerely wish that all party bickerings & personal resentments would yeald, to the Great and momenteous National interests, that they would conduct, so as to command respect;

Mr Harper is a good many years younger than Nestor—yet aims to be the Chief leader—

a young man should be modest and diffident, but praise and adulation are great corrupters of the Heart, and a Man, is never, in so much danger from his Enemies, as from his flatterers—

William, I write to you with a freedom which you must make, only a prudent use of and as women are not Masons, or bound to keep secrets, they are entitled to a greater latitude of speech than Men— I think mr Harper a Man of tallents, and a usefull Member he might be still more so, if he husbanded his tallants with prudence and discretion— there are Gentlemen in that House whose opinions are more respected, and who have more influence than mr Harper;

I have written you a long Letter—rather censorious, I believe, but as I have not any body to talk politicks to this Evening, I have amused myself by writing them

Continue to send me the papers which contain any thing interesting, and believe me / your affectionate

I have recd your Letters of 10. 15. and 16.1 Your solicitude for my Health may subside. I am pretty well— I had a cold, not a bad one— and something of the Inflammation in my face of last spring—but it is gone. Rush gave me such a Dose of Salts that I thought it not fit to go out to Congress next day. But the day after I was well enough.— I am Old—Old very Old and never Shall be very well—certainly while in this office for the Drudgery of it is too much for my Years and Strength.

The Barn must not be a monument of Foppery. I should be content to have it 16 foot Post. But if it is thought Advisable I Suppose We can get at Boston or from the Eastward new Posts long enough for twenty feet. I protest against two Buildings—and all expensive ornament. My Fortune is small—Family large—and expensive—And shiftless Children and Grand Children enough to distract me.— A fine Barn coupled with my Hut would be a Womans head on a fishes shoulders. Let me Spin an even thread of Plainness thro Life.

It is Christmas and a fine Day. I rode Yesterday—fourteen miles and intend as much to day. Our Family is very quiet.— No Quarrells— No Complaints— an hundred and twenty Leagues in this cold season would be a terrible risque for you—and only to be here two Months and then a worse Journey home.— My Health would be no better for your being a Witness of any Pains or Achs I might have. I have had recourse to an old Medicine, Sulphur Cram of Tartar and honey which has done me more good than Lockier or Rush. I Sleep well—appetite is good—work hard— Conscience is neat and easy— Content to live and willing to die; So I Sincerely think.— Hoping to do a little good—able to do very little—perplexed and ambarrassed very often: by the Folly of some: the Intrigue of others—and the Selfishness & Ambition of many.

Our Neighbour Field I see is gathered at length to his Fathers.2 Away they all go, the old People; and the young ones come tottering on.

I write you nothing abt public affairs because it would be Useless to copy the Newspapers which you read. and I can say nothing more.

I am as ever