Philadelphia Decr. 29 1792
My dearest Friend
Who is that Justice Cooper who read the Riot Act? The Town Clerk or his Son?
If the Mob Swore they had the Governors Orders to pull down the Theater, I shall beleive that the Mob swore to a lie: for it is impossible that the Governor should have given Such orders or such Leave.
I don't see that the Governor was under any kind of Obligation or Necessity make Use of the harsh measures he so pathetically laments. All that could have been required or expected of him, would have been to have given orders to the Attorney General to prosecute and all that could have been required of the Attorney General would have been to have laid an Indictment before the Grand Jury, or at most to have taken one of the Players a Warrant and had him recognized to Answer. But to shock the Feelings of half the Town by so open an Indignity is thought by all who Speak of it here a Work of Superrogation.
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Your Absense is much regretted in Words and in reality. You have many Sincere friends in this Town. Mrs. Washington Mrs. Powell, Mrs. Morris, Mrs. Dalton and many other Ladies have Spoken to me upon the SubJect of your Absence, with a respect I am sure came from the heart.
The result of the election has demonstrated that the Government and not the Man nor his Writings were was the hated Object. The Foederal Interest has been unanimous for and the Antifoederal, against my Re election. This Line has been marked with an Obstinate decision which proves that both parties were Of Opininion the Question was no less than whether the Government should Stand or fall. In this probably they were both too Sanguine. If Clinton, however had been chosen the Administration would have been so much changed that the Government might have found its dissolution much sooner. This Personal Ennemy of Hamilton was selected more from opposition to him than to me, and as much from opposition to Jay as to either. The Debtors dread Jay, as well as me.
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I am glad to see Shaw continues to cart seaweed; I hope it will not forget to give frequently fresh bedding to such as Sleep upon it in the yard.
Adieu.
J. A.
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[Endorsement -- see page image]
