If your two letters of 16 May, and 3. instt: have hitherto remained unanswered you must impute it to a multiplicity of occupations, which for the last month have so entirely engross’d my time, as scarcely to leave me a moment for the pleasure of conversing with my friends either by word of mouth or by epistolary conveyance—1 The address to the fire Society, you doubtless received as soon as was practicable after its publication, and if you have had the patience to read it, there is no occasion for me to say any thing further to you about it— Of its reception I have no reason to complain— But as owing to the Bostonian love of Orations, which Oldschool told you of, there have been two public discourses delivered there already since my address; this as you will readily imagine is now sunk deep in the vale of Oblivion—2

From the 26th: of last Month our General Court have been in Session, and you will find the temper of their politics, in the answers of the two Houses to the Governor’s Speech— You will observe I was not upon the Committee of the Senate for drawing up the answer— There was not much debate except upon the clause which declares so decisively in favour of an independent judiciary.— This was objected against, as containing an oblique censure upon the famous Acts of the late Session of Congress— The clause was however retained by a large majority 19 to 11.—3 Indeed out of the 40 Senators there are only 12 of the established political church— The rest are all of the Sect.— In the house of Representatives the majority is likewise decisive, and larger than it was the last year.4

The people in general are however warmer than the legislature, and in their disposition of disgust against the federal administration require a curb rather than a spur— If the Majority in Congress continue to drive so like the driving of Jehu—for two years more; they will find it necessary to raise troops again, and the more or less General, will have occasion for all the precision of his military powers.—5 Yet hitherto there is not an idea formed of organized resistance, nor is there the remotest danger of any such attempt, 211 unless the Church should continue its career of violence not merely against the sect, but against the territory— The sentiment that New-England is systematically degraded, injured, and contemned by the federal administration, is that upon which our people feel the sorest, and indeed the thing is so obvious and so glaring, that the jacobins themselves can scarcely have the face to deny it— Most of them indeed feel it as much as the federalists, and the church unless it shall reform its practice, will certainly not be able to keep them within the pale.

Thus you see what has become of my resolutions to renounce the career of politics— I must confess it, with some confusion of face— I have again suffered myself to be launched upon the tempestuous sea, contrary to the dictates of my better judgment, and my full conviction that it is all vanity and vexation of spirit—6 My private affairs must suffer of course, and my professional pursuits will be much impeded, if not altogether arrested.

Oldschool I observe is publishing Bülow’s tour at full length; and from the large portions which he admits into every paper, I presume his assistance from other quarters is very small— I think his cause is irretrievably gone, and question whether he will be able to complete the year— I wish it were in my power to give him more effectual aid, but for the present I find it utterly impossible— He has not yet publish’d the letter from old Franklin which I sent you— I will send on some more as soon as I can, but Shaw is just now so busy that he has not time to copy.7

Your’s affectionately.

I received your short note, accompanying the Oration delivered by my brother, before the charitable fire Association, and thank you for the promptness of your attention in transmitting it.1 The perusal of it was a rich repast, and though its merit did not surpass, it fully equalled my expectations.

I am yet to hear from you, in answer to some of my late communications. You have certainly lost that kakoethes scribendi,2 which was wont to beset you so easily. I remember to have predicted your recovery from the disorder, at no very remote period, but you were then incredulous. You ought not however, wholly to relinquish the habits of writing to your friends, for they sensibly feel the loss of your once frequent addresses. I beg of you, if you can give me any private information, to impart it speedily. What have you done with the charge, & the last letter? My destiny is hard & somewhat peculiar. If constancy & perseverance ever deserved to triumph, I think mine one of those cases, which has strong claims to favor and victory. God only knows when. Nil desperandum, is a good motto, in some cases, but nil sperandum is the destiny of a galley-slave.3 I know not which motto is most appropriate to me.

The newspapers will have informed you, that a work entitled the history of the Administration of John Adams, and an account of the suppression of the same, by Col Burr, are now selling at New York & at this place.4

I have submitted to the drudgery of wading through both of these productions, and I can aver, that I never met with so lame, bald & contemptible performances, on any subject. The Author, (if indeed he deserves the name of author, who has ransacked the Jacobin 213 journals for materials, and no other source, and then dignifies them with the title history) was so well aware of the nothingness of his compilation, that he became the willing instrument of Col Burr who hired him to strangle his own bastard; but falling out, afterwards with his employer—he reveals the murder, which of course never took place, since the original history comes out at the same moment with the account of its death. Now this is a specimen of Irish logic; but the work was made to sell.

There are hundreds of libellous expressions & passages interspersed throughout, but what is a little singular is, that Col: Hamilton & General Pinckney are both extolled in character & person. Their Biography is taken from federal newspapers and interlarded, here & there with an abusive or scandalous anecdote. The utmost malignity & scurrility of the writer is directed at John Adams, but there is no word of it, that will be credited by a single human being.5 The newspaper of last night says, the noted John Wood, author &ca: has absconded. 6

We have just entered upon summer-weather here, and we shall have enough before it leaves us—apprehensions of Yellow fever are stronger this year than ever, on account of the troops in the West Indies.7

Friends here are well; remember me kindly to all.

Your’s truly