I have yet to reply to your favors of the 15th: & 21st: instts: the latter of which with the letters of Mr: Pitcairn, came to hand last evening.1

I have been anxious for some days on account of reports, which have been circulated with great zeal & industry, of a serious misunderstanding in the Cabinet at Trenton, and though I give credit slowly to the idle rumors of the day, I cannot but wish it were in my power to contradict some of them, which their very extravagance tells me cannot be true. I know pretty well how to appreciate the stories circulated on the Subject of the departure of the Commissioners, but when great pains are taken to propagate a belief that the President has declared his intentions of resigning the Chair, and means are taken in consequence to promote the election of a Successor, I confess that the feeling to me is unpleasant and I am sure the effect upon others is pernicious.

The story is, that the Secretary of State opposed with all his influence the departure of the Envoys for France— That his opposition was seconded by a declaration of the British Minister, that a fresh attempt at negotiation by our Government, would be considered by the Coalesced powers, as an act of hostility against them, since they had come to a resolution to force a declaration from every neutral power—for or against them. The President is said to have replied with characteristic energy to this communication— The Secretary persevered in his disaffection, which produced a warm explanation, 35 in the course of which the P——t declared he would resign, rather than submit to be influenced by the menaces of any other power on earth, on the subject of our external connections or intercourse— The Envoys of course are to go.—2

I do not write this account, with an expectation that you will be at liberty to tell me in return, what foundation there is in fact for any part of it; but only to acquaint you with what we the people hear daily in our intercourse with society.

Since the triumph of Jacobinism in this State, there is a manifest scheme set on foot of irritating the public mind against Great Britain— I see the drift of it in part, but I should wish to know what fresh provocation has excited the animosity which thus discovers itself. Mc:Kean Governor of the State—Jefferson President of the United States is the next object of that faction. I have done looking up to the legislative branches of the Government for a relief and provision for our great & serious difficulties. “La puissance legislative,” (said a frenchman, who was no fool however he may have been a knave) “est essentiellement destructrice”; “le pouvoir Executif, est essentiellement conservateur.”3 I think I can foresee an expeditious sacrifice & sure destruction of our Government, in the prospect of such an overwhelming war as we are not sure of escaping— The legislative branches would abandon the Executive, by refusing the supplies necessary to carry it on, & it would fall lifeless to the ground, like a body of inert matter, elevated upon pillars too weak to sustain the burthen. If such must be the fate of this fabric, I had rather that myself & family were buried in its ruins, than survive the catastrophe by an untimely flight.

Be so good as inform me; how soon the President intends coming to the City, and whether it would be worth while for me to visit you before you come. I could go next Saturday to Trenton or at furthest on Monday; but if you think a speedy removal will take place, I will defer my journey altogether?

I am truly your’s

I received Yours last Evening of the 21st, when on the road; I could not write; I was generally so fatigued by Evening as to wish to get to Bed. we rose early and as soon we could get Breakfast sat out upon our days journey, at noon we usualy stopd two Hours; to feed ourselves and horses; and my Lame animal was a constant anxiety to me; I have got him here, and John has Physick him, and bled him again, in his feet; but he is so lame, that I cannot attempt to put him in the carriage, for tho he might Travel a few miles, he would be sure to sit down on going down the first Hill; we traveld with him one day, when we walkd down Every Hill; so that I must either get a 37 stage Horse from stage to stage, or hire one to carry me through. I think Brisler will be here tomorrow morning; if his Children got through the Mumps well. the stage is 5 days now from Boston, but the Mumps are a six days illness when they are most favourable. Louisa is just taken with them, and is very much Swell’d. I am glad they did not attack her upon the Road—

you complain that I did have not told You concerning the Farm. we had not a drop of Rain from the time you left me, untill the Evening before I left home, when we had a small shower sufficient to lay the Dust, but not to render spreading the manure of so much concequence as collecting apples Digging potatoes &c about which they were employd. the day after I left home we had a plentiful Rain—but I have not heard a word from home since I left it— I reminded Porter of Spreading the manure as soon as possible— the Carpenters were obliged to go home to training, & Review three days, which was a Hinderence to them, but they expected to finish the cider house and Barn within the course of a week, after—except the Clabording—1 the painter was also going on rapidly. when the apples were collected Porter thought they should make 50 Barrels of cider. the Rails and posts I saw brought home before I came away—and I collected all accounts and paid them off, the carriage Wheels excepted, the Money for which I left with Brisler— I arranged the House so that it was to be shutt up the week I left it, as soon as the cook & family with Peter could go, which I expected would be the saturday after I left them—

Mrs Smith had a Letter from the col last Evening in which he says, that Genll Hamilton had been on to camp—and that he thought he must not quit the Camp untill the arrangments were made for the Regiments, so that he will not be able to come home for her as she expected, She will therefore come on at present—2

If Brisler gets here tomorrow as I expect, he will be at Trenton on saturday night, so that I propose to leave here on Monday Senight, or sooner if practicable—(Mr & Mrs otis have got lodgings about a mile from hence), but as I shall hear frequently from you, we can determine this matter as circumstances occur—3 Duty and Love are presented you from all sides—

Yours affectionatly