A favorable occasion presents itself of dropping you a few lines by a vessel for Georgtown. It is the first direct opportunity that has offered since I have been in this Country. Indeed since the Conquest of it, by the french, external intercourse has been till very lately, altogether interrupted. You may easily conjecture that our residence here has not abounded with scenes of pleasure or amusement. A state of war is always unfavorable to both. The variety of incident however has been great, and the period of the last six months has been peculiarly eventfull in this corner of the Globe. In the north, 405 under the immediate influence of the Constellation, not improperly termed the Great She Bear of the Russians—we have witnessed the dismemberment of an heretofore powerful Empire; a completion of the partition of its territory, and the irrevocable subjection of its inhabitants. Even the poor title of nominal independence is deprived it.1 In this quarter we have seen the Conquest of a Country not less distinguished heretofore among the powers of Europe, but its Conquerors were men. Savage & brutal barbarity, has therefore neither marked their approach, nor characterized their residence among the people subdued. A conduct at once generous & just seems to be the peculiar attribute of a french army. Instead of promoting the intestine divisions of this people, they have uniformly restrained both public and private acts of hostility between the different partizans— They have ameliorated the condition of the subdued faction, and protected obnoxious individuals not only from violence, but even from insult. In short the french army have litterally given peace to this Country in its Conquest, and their presence is still necessary to maintain the tranquility. The two great factions which divide this people unite but in one sentiment, that of plotting the absolute ruin of each other; even the doctrine of Liberty, Equality & Fraternity, has brought them no nearer to a coincidence of design, than the opposite one that prevailed before.

Times of public adversity, should not be chosen to form an opinion of the character of a people; such has been the period of my residence here. Credulity, which is a child of weakness & terror, is one of the characteristic foibles I have remarked, as particularly operative upon the mind in this Country.

Reports & stories, are circulated to cheer the despondence of a defeated party, or to intimidate the dominant faction, so destitute of probability, that one hesitates to decide, which is the most extravagant he who fabricates, or he that believes them.

The internal Revolution of Government took place on the 19 of January. The french Army entered Amsterdam on the 20th:— They were received with cordiality by the multitude, and their conduct entitles them to great commendation. They have lived in harmony among the inhabitants ever since, at least in appearance.

Exertions are making to place the naval force of this Country upon a respectable footing— It had fallen much into decay, and all the efforts that can be bestowed, will not shortly regenerate its respectability, or make it formidable to those against whom it will probably be directed.

France is upon the eve of another Revolution— The people of Paris have become already outrageous in their behavior towards the Convention. Real or nominal scarcity of Bread is made the pretext of an agitation, which has lately become alarming, which has threatned the Convention with dissolution, and individual members with death. The latest accounts which are to the 4th: Currt: represent violent tumults among the people; forcing the doors of the Convention, and treating that body with insult. The Convention had been for some days apprehensive of this extremity, because a similar attempt had been made a short time before. They took resolves, the severity of which was proportioned to the sense of danger, and a decree which contemplated the Massacre of a majority of the Convention, provided for the assemblage of the Survivors at Chalons sur Marne. But the last affair was more serious— It was a manœvre of the Jacobins to save their partizans Callot d’Herbois Barrere &ca: and to reestablish their authority on the downfall of the Convention. The Criminals or rather as an impartial observer I should say the accused members, were convicted & sentenced to transportation out of the limits of the Republic— Eight other Jacobins were arrested— Paris was declared to be in a state of siege, & the Command of the City given to General Pichegru, who was upon the spot, whether casually, or intentionally does not yet appear. The General had left this Country but a few days, and was supposed to have gone to Paris to receive instructions for further operations in the ensuing Campaign.2

This commotion will terminate either in the dissolution of the Convention, or the total ruin of the Jacobin faction— The latter at present seems to be most probable.3

The future condition of this Country with regard to external relations with other powers, is yet undecided. A demand of an Alliance with the french Republic has been made, but an answer is not yet given. The Sovereignty & Indepence of the Batavian People in the mean time is nominally maintained. The Revolution in favor of the rights of Man, sovereignty of the people &ca: is yet nothing more than words, which have been attended with so little real benefit, that they have scarcely operated a momentary delusion. Ancient forms have been abolished, but the substitutes in their stead, are hitherto directed by old principles. A National Convention which shall represent the whole people of the seven Provinces is talked of, but no measures have been taken to convoke it. At this moment there is actually no Constitutional Government in the Country.

One thing however may be observed; The party now dominant is better disposed towards our country than the former. They have annulled several restraints upon our Commerce which the old Government had imposed; They have decreed the free importation of Flour & Rye Meal into the Province of Holland ’till the expiration of the present year, and have given other facilities to trade, which may eventually prove beneficial to our Countrymen. I mention the decree respecting the importation of flour &ca to you, because I suppose this letter will find you in a part of the Country of which Grain is the principal staple, & whose Commerce forms a very important object. The word Free, means free from duties.4

Hitherto my residence in the Country has been chiefly confined to this place— I have been twice at Amsterdam, & both times during the winter— I can only observe to you, that my past residence in the Country has been only not disagreeable— When I have seen more of the Country, you shall hear more from me about it.

The family in which Mr Greenleaf is connected have been particularly civil & friendly towards us— I have never seen Madam G—— because she has been ill all winter, and from the nature of her disorder, her friends have but small hopes of her recovery. We were in expectation of seeing Mr: G—— in Holland before this—5 He will probably arrive in the course of the Summer.

Believe me your’s sincerely

By the arrival of Mr: Van Rensselaar, I am favoured with your letter of Novr: 29.1 I have not yet seen that Gentleman, who is still at Amsterdam, but proposes visiting this place in a few days; you well know what a pleasure we always derive in foreign Countries merely from the sight of one of our own Countrymen, and in this instance I 409 shall be still more gratified in meeting a person, who comes recommended from my best friends.

You have doubtless been informed long before this, that the french are in Possession not only of Amsterdam, but of this whole Republic. You will have learnt also at the same time, that our personal security has never been for a moment endangered; indeed we never had occasion for an instant of apprehension on our own Account, as we knew, we were under a protection which at any rate would be respected. But the principles proclaimed and observed by the French since their arrival, have extended personal safety to every individual, and private property has been equally inviolate.

They came as the Enemies only of the Government, but as the friends of the People. They have hitherto uniformly discovered this character in both its parts, and the probability seems to be that they will continue to preserve it.

Since the Revolution in France, which put an end at once to the power, and the life of Robespierre, the french councils have assumed a very different aspect from that which had for so long a time presented, a constant violation of every principle of Justice, and every Sentiment of Humanity. They have thrown off the burden of oppression which had become intolerable; they have recovered from the political fanaticism, which during one period had an influence among them, which they are now the first to lament; and nothing now remains for them but to settle into a state that may relieve them from the violent agitations which they still experience.

The greatest inconvenience that I have suffered in consequence of their success in this Country, has been the interruption of communication, with almost all Europe, as well as with America. It prevents me from hearing from, and from writing to my friends, so often as I should wish; and this privation is but partially balanced, by a free communication with France itself which enables us to observe more particularly the interesting occurrences which are daily taking place in that Country.

It gives me great pleasure to be informed by your letter, that our Parents, and our friends in general were well when it was written. The news of Mr Shaw’s death was equally painful and unexpected to us. The loss of a good Man, is always a misfortune to Society, but in this instance I fear it will be distressing in its consequences to his family. Our amiable Aunt especially, will need all her fortitude, and all her resignation, and I hope they will not be without their reward.

We are indeed once more scattered about the world as you observe, and our destiny from our childhood, has been that of wanderers, beyond the common lot of men. But in the pursuit of no improper purposes distance of space and difference of clime, by temporary deprivations can only enhance the pleasure we derive from the Society of one another, and the hopes of meeting again all together which can never abandon us always affords some consolation against the tediousness of long absence and distant separation.

I would request you to present my compliments of Congratulation to your Sister Charity upon her marriage, were it not for the presumption that by the time my Letter will reach you, it will be an old Story. However, though I have not the pleasure of an acquaintance with Mr Shaw, I have such an opinion of the Lady’s taste and judgment, as well as her disposition, that I am perswaded the marriage is one of those the anniversary of which will admit of congratulation.

Thomas is well, and writes you by the present opportunity;2 he will give you perhaps a detail of his observations in a Country which presented to him an aspect altogether new. As yet he has not seen it in the most favourable point of view. A Revolution, a Conquest, and a Winter severe beyond a parallel combining all together cannot present the most agreeable scenes to the imagination or the Senses; but we have seen nothing so afflictive to humanity as might be expected from such Events, and at present we have a promising prospect of political tranquility, which will enable us to enjoy the beauties of the Season, which has already assumed its most pleasing forms.

Remember me affectionately to your children, and be assured of the invariable Sentiments with which I am your friend and brother.