In taking the liberty of expressing some solicitude at your absence at the present time you will I am sure attribut the freedom to nothing short of great respect for you as well as a public sentiment which I feel to be patriotic— An opposition in moments of election must be expected by the best & most enlightened— That something like opposition has taken place with respect to the election of a Vice President you may probably have been informed— You will excuse me if I Express a wish that you were here— It seems a very general wish of your warm friends who in that wish do not imagine that the dignity of a philosophical independence would be at all wounded because the Session has actually commenced— I do assure you Sir I have lamented that just on the Eve of a most important election the chair of the Senate should be filled by a president pro tempore— The public mind is thus led off from the Theory of the Office to a contemplation of a practical substitute which fills the routine without seeming to derange the theory—

Could you come, Sir, your friends I dare believe would much rejoice & consider it as a sacrifise to their wishes & hopes in the ensuing election—

I beg to be affectionately remembered by Mr. J. Q. Adams—& my most respectful compliments to Mrs: Adams.1

I am Dear Sir / With every sentiment of respectful / attachment / Yr mo. ob / Sert.

Your polite and obliging Favour of April the 10th I duely received at this Place and I pray you to accept of my best Thanks for your very elegant and acceptable Present of a Print of the Death of Lord Chatham, a Masterpiece of the Fine Arts which does as much honour to America which produced the Artist as it does to great Britain which produced the Statesman. Nor am I less Sensible of the honour you do me by giving me the opportunity of presenting in your name, another Copy of this Monument to Chathams Fame and your own, So honourable to both Countries, to the President of the United States.

As the Case arrived in the absence of the President from Philadelphia, at his Seat at Mount Vernon, and in my absence at this place, I have not yet had an opportunity of making the Compliments you intended: but as I shall sett out for Philadelphia next Week, I hope soon to be able to write you more fully upon the Subject.

Mrs Adams joins with me in presenting to you and to Mrs Copeley, the kindest regards.

I do myself the honor to enclose you the minutes of the last week and to repeat my wishes to see you here as soon as possible, And as I hear Mrs Adams has quite recovered her health and that your own is restored I flatter myself those wishes will soon be gratified.1 I have every day less fears of an unfavorable election of the two first officers in the Government— People seem to look with solemn astonishment at the Scenes in France & on comparison felicitate themselves on their enjoyment of peace liberty and good government— Whilst the squibbs & crackers continually let of by 153 inflamatory malcontents bounce for a few minutes & go out in their own stench—

The two houses have hardly set about business in earnest nor perhaps will they much before Chrismass

Mrs Otis joins me in respects to Mrs Adams and all friends.

I am / Sir / With esteem & respect / Your most humble Sert