I received Yours of the 20th Instant.1 You will see how matters have gone in senate respecting the Convention. Dean Swift in verses upon his own death, Says of those who had predicted his death

So the party had rather the whole convention should be negatived and every thing put again at the mercy of France, than assent to an accommodation with them; Yet pretend that they are fearfull of Mr Jeffersons prediliction in favour of France. they see and know now, what is before them; with the present Government of France they cannot expect to obtain better terms; for pay they cannot, and to have promised it, would not have been so sincere as to have waved it— the jealousy of G Britain would be more excited by a mission to France by the New President, and the Country in general would have less confidence in obtaining terms favourable to it— Yet a blind spirit of Party appear willing to risk all. I think they ought to take the Name, of the Risk alls, for that desperate Game they have play’d untill they have brought the Country into a State of Jeopardy; that there are dareing projects on foot I as fully believe, as the 540 Gentleman who told me so, and with the present views and temper which prevails. I cannot but think the President will find himself fortunate in his release; he might have stoped there career a few years longer—but he would have had the new faction to have contended against; I have inclosed You a curious conversation, which tho at table, was not heard by any one but ourselves, as we spoke low— it is a little too much in the Tench Cox Stile to commit it to writing, but it is only for your amusement; You will draw this inference from it, that there are certain persons, who carry every thing they hear, and I dare say many things they make, to the Ear of mr J——n if only what is said by the Party be told; his prospect is not a summer sea— If Burr should be Elected, which I do not believe, it will not be from any superiour confidence either party can place in him— his private Character will not bear the scrutiny which mr Jeffersons will. I believe he would become a Buonaparty if he could. he is bold, dareing, nothing to lose of property or Reputation ambitions, insinuating, a voluptuary in practise, and as to Religion—I Do not think he feels any restraints from it. I think him a much more dangerous Man than mr Jefferson; mr J—— will be too lax, too wild and levelling, the other will draw as tight as he dare;— after all it is a scylla & Charibdis buisness—

It is laughable to hear the offices which even the federilist are for placing the President in. one wants to make him Ambassador, an other chief Justice—and an other Govenour—comforting things be sure—3 Farmer Adams—if Farmer he could be upon his own System, would be enviable to any thing in the power of the country to give or grant. no more Elective offices for Me— I think too highly of the Rank and Station in which I have been placed ever to give my consent to a scondary and Subordinate station; looking upon myself in this Sense, one and indivissible to degrade ourselves, to descend voluntarily, and by choice, from the highest to a lower Rank, to quit the care of a Nation, for that of a state—those who will Submit to it, must possess more of Humity than falls to my Lot— yet can I in a private and retired life practise all the oeconomy to which I know I must be called, and feel no degradation or mortification but for my Country—

Inclosed is a curious Letter.4 is there any such craizy fellow— return the Letter— next twesday I propose quitting here. do You know where I can get more private lodgings than at Francis’is mrs Bradford and Boudinot request Me to put up with them— I do not propose staying more than a day or two, but I think I had better 541 have lodgings—5 I shall feel more at My Ease— adieu your ever / affectionate Mother

Yourss of the 20th & 21st are received.1 I also received this morning a compleat sett of the Port folio without any letter or direction respecting them. Presuming they were sent to be at my disposal, I shall send them by tomorrow’s mail, to Anapolis where I expect to get many subscribers. I some time since sent a sett to Boston and another to young Chace at Baltimore, and if I had a number more, I think I could dispose of them to advantage.2 A few more of the “Prospectus” at least would be agreeable. But notwithstanding all the exertions of his friends, if Mr. Dennie continues to admit the observations of such political heretics as “a native American,” he never can and ought not to receive encouragement. For a periodical publication “submitted to men of afluence, men of liberality and men of letters” as is the Port folio and which justly assumes so high a rank, in its third number, to be so lavish, in terms of unqualified approbation, of a hireling miscreant, who has calumniated our government and our Country and insulted the understanding of every individual in it is in my opinion, not only very impolitic but materially wrong. I allude to what the author says of Cobbet.3 Many of the gentlemen of Congress have told me they were very sorry to see such a production admitted and Mr. Rutledge among the rest. The whole piece is very exceptionable and I was very sorry to see it. You ought to expostulate with Dennie, on the impropriety of admitting such publications

I am surprised to hear that you never knew till lately of the “Romans in Greece.” It laid on the Presidents & mine my table all last winter at Philadelphia. The manuscript was sent to the P——t by our consul in Italy Mr Willys. I was so pleased with the perusal that I obtained leave to have it published and it was accordingly given to Nancrede, but I doubt whether he ever sold many of them.4

I told you in my last, that a committee was authorized to bring in a bill, renewing the sedition law. Two or three of the democrats have since taken seats in the house and there is great reason to fear they will not be able to carry it.5 If they do not, it will be very lamentable. I wish the law with some alterations should be permanent. I would make it ten times as severe as it now is. In addition to fine and imprisonment I would add certainly the pillory & perhaps the rack. To establish a government founded on public opinion and to allow that public opinion to be misled and corrupted by the lowest miscreants of society, who have talents only to invent a falshood is not my system. No, no. Government should be respected—character should not be violated with impunity. A bill has been reported to the house for the government of this district similar to the system proposed by “Epaminondas” which I think a tolerable good one and hope will pass. A strong energetic government would add to the respectability—hasten the growth and progress of this city and if any thing under heaven will, establish a degree of harmony among the citizens. The Committe of Commerce & manufactures are authorized to bring in a bill for the further suspension of the intercourse between the US & France.6

I inclose to you with this the Prussian treaty, three copies and will send you more if you wish for them.—7 I also send a letter of R. B. giving an account of himself, which I hope & believe Mr Dennie will consider worthy of an insertion in his port folio otherwise I must request you to return it as I highly value it…8 I have been collecting a compleat sett of Statepapers for myself I want nothing to compleat it, but the pamphlets published under the sixth article of the Brit. treaty, for which I wish you to apply to Mr Reid & or Mr Evans who I presume will have no objection to furnishing you with a sett.—9 The P——t ought to be supplied with a compleat sett also. Please to attend to this immediately. With this you have also the judiciary bill, which has undergone considerable alterations and is now more like the one first reported to the house last session

In haste yours