I have been induced to this delay in acknowledging your Letter of the 23d, inclosing one to you from Mr. Belknap of the 2d. Ulto by a desire to obtain from my memory all the information it might have ever possessed in relation to the error in Docr. Kippis’ life of Capt. Cook.

I was not a member of Congress till March 1780. It is probable therefore that, if his directions to American Commanders, in favor of Capt Cook issued, as is stated, in March 1779, they must have been transmitted to that Body, and undergone its consideration, before I could have been present. After I became a member, nothing was ever done on the subject, as far as my memory can inform me. I do not even recollect that the subject ever fell incidentally, under any public discussion. I have however a pretty strong impression that it occasionally entered into the conversation of the members, as it 366 often did into that of intelligent Citizens out of doors, and that I never heard a sentiment uttered which did not applaud the magnanimity of the idea which considered Capt Cook’s expedition as consecrated to the general good of all Mankind, and consequently not included in the hostilities between particular nations.

I beg leave to suggest to you, Sir, if it has not already occurred, that Mr. Charles Thomson, will be more likely than any other individual to answer the wishes of Mr. Belknap. Besides the general accuracy to be expected from him, he must a Secretary to Congress be particularly intimate with every thing that passed in that Assembly.

With the highest respect and esteem, I have the honour to be, Sir, / Your most Obedient humble servant

I have recd your kind Letter of Jan. 24. and have read, Sealed and sent as you desired your Letter to General Knox, for whose bold Expressions, upon which you have remarked I was always sorry. I presume he did not mean that our Population had been destructive to Indians like the Cruelties of Pisarro &c but that it had prevented their Population as much— The Expressions however were not well weighed, and as they appeared at the moment of the Retreat of a worthy Man and faithful servant of the Public, I regretted them more than I should have done at any other time.

your witty Reform in the Zodiack, in Conformity to French Innovations is entertaining and instructive enough to be committed to the Public but in these perilous times I dare not venture upon any Experiments.

Pray in the Proclamation you sent me, are the Armies of Massachusetts placed at the Right had or the Left of those of the United States? I know my Friend so well as to believe, that if his heart was 367 omnipotent, He would govern Boston in Town Meeting assembled, Boston would govern Massachusetts, Massachusetts would govern New England, New England would govern the Continent, and the Continent would govern the World— This to be sure is a system of Patriotism and Republicanism—? And I believe upon the whole, it would not be intentionally ill governed.—

Relative to Dr Kippis’s Misrepresentation, I inclose you Letters between Mr Madison & me— I shall write to Mr Thompson, and send you his answer.1 I should have done it a week ago, if I had not waited for Mr Maddisons answer, which I thought might render it unnecessary.

I am, dear sir yours