My Heart Shall not reproach me so long as I live said the Psalmist;1 alass I cannot say so, for mine hourly reproaches me with not having written to you for a long time;2 I have to thank you for the Volm of debates in Senate upon a Question so interesting to every Lover of Justice, every Welwisher to the stability of our constitution, that the termination of it, must be considerd as having inflicted a Mortal wound to upon that constitution each Man had solemnly Sworn to Support: if there Hearts do not reproach them; it must be oweing to the callous state of them; to being given up to blindness of Eyes, or what is worse, willfully and witingly doing injustice, and future legislatures cannot fully remedy the evil, even tho they should wish and desire it— the stain is fixed. the Mischief is effectual as it respects those who are removed from office—tho Justice appears to have fled from our Country— She has a permanent Residence in an habitation not made with Hands Eternal and immutable—there we must look for her Surrounded with Mercy, without partiality or Hypocracy.

You have seen and read, and justly appreciated the History of the late administration as it is termed, and the Suppression of it by the Vice—the latter I have read. the Booksellers all advertize them, but sell twenty of the Suppression, to one of the History— Burr will be better known by it, and his duplicity become more obvious than ever— neither can possibly injure the late administration in the Eyes of any one, whose opinion is of any Value How are we to estimate an other Character, who whilst he professes to have an abhorence to Burr, is permitting a paper said to be under his immediate direction, to wash the Ethiopian White? are all means lawfull to accomplish the views of Ambition? So thought Mackbeth, and So acts Buonaparty, but mark the end— Give Religion to the Winds—and what tye is found strong enough to bind man to his Duty, to restrain his inordinate passions? Honour a Phantom, Moral principal, feeble and unstable—nothing but a firm belief and well grounded assurence that Man is an accountable Being, and that he is to render that account to a Being Who will not be mocked, and cannot be deceived, will prove a sufficient Barrier, or stem the torrent of unruly passions and appetites. nor are we safe a single moment, when we commit our interests into other Hands.

Mr Shaw sent You the address deliverd by your Brother at the request of the Charitable Fire Society;3 I knew it must be good I expected injenuity, polishd Stile &c but the Manner of delivery far exceeded My expectations, and that of his most intimate Friends. he justly received great applause, and the little work has had a rapid Sale and circulation—

our Friends Mr Judge & Mrs Cranch and Family are on a visit to their Friends here. With them came Mrs Johnson & her daughter Caroline— Mr Cranch was obliged to return to attend the courts, but will be here again in Sep’br—

I should be very glad My dear Thomas if it was in Your power to make us an annual visit. I am some times led to inquire, why are the Gifts of fortune so unequally distributed? and to think the World has been very unkind to My Children—but virtue honour and integrity are theres. these are Riches of more value than Silver or Gold—4

We are all well.

most affectionaly / Your Mother

I have received & thank you for your favor of the 6th: currt:. This day, twelve months ago, I left Philadelphia to visit my friends, in N. England, but however strong my inclination to see them often, I must forego that gratification for the sake of bettering my condition here. Should any serious cause occur, such as the yellow fever, (of which we have already had some alarm), which should make it dangerous to abide here, I shall then set my face towards a more healthful dwelling, and perhaps renounce the design, to which I have hitherto so pertinaciously adhered, of making this City my permanent residence.

You notice the jealousies, which are daily disclosing themselves, between the chiefs of the prevailing sect. They are indeed worthy of remark, as they have a tendency to display the characters of principals, no less than of subordinate agents. Here is that John Wood, who falls out with Duane, and they begin to expose each other’s villainy, in print.1 There is that J T Callender, who wrote “the prospect before us,” so much praised & extolled by the Jacobins, and who disagreeing with his employers about the wages of his sins, now comes out, with his “secrets worth knowing,” which for your amusement I herewith enclose.2 This unprincipled scoundrel, who was actually caressed by Jefferson, until he became importunate for his recompense, may be believed when he testifies against himself, however unworthy of credit on other subjects, and when he confesses his own venality, we must suppose that he knew to whom he was indebted for the bribe. The low & dirty malignity of this transaction, if Jefferson was really guilty of it, ought to blast his name & fame to all eternity. But what else can we expect from “a man of the people”?

Burr & Hamilton are alike inimical to my father, and though they could agree in nothing else, they are both glad to see & hear him traduced. Woods testimony goes thus far. There cannot be a coalition between their adherence, and if the breach with Burr & the Republicans widens, Clinton or McKean will throw him out. It seems that Jefferson thinks Burr ought not to be travelling about, so much, 218 and it begins to be understood that Burr would have willingly been chosen President, by the Representatives.3

There is an abusive paragraph in the Aurora of the 13th: currt: partly aimed at JQA, and partly at the Junto. I knew not whence Duane got this, unless from some of the Boston correspondents— He did not write it. It made me angry when I read it, and heaped one more coal of fire upon that miscreants head. The defeat of the bronze Statue of Washington, is attributed to JQA—s amendment, and the paragraph says there was zeal & activity displayed on the occasion by the mover— You will have a better idea of the matter from reading the paper itself, which I send you, with my best love to the old woman. 4

Your’s