Upon my return from a short excursion to Pottsdam, where we passed three very pleasant days, I received your obliging letter of the 4th: currt and thank you for the detail respecting the Hamburger’s accommodations.1 My voyage I rather think now, will be deferred until after the autumnal equinox say commencement of October or last of September, because possibly by that time a person may arrive to relieve me at my post— I would not however forego a good & safe opportunity, by this delay, though I think it would not be convenient or even practicable for me to take passage with Mr: S. much as I should esteem the pleasure of his & his lady’s company. A neutral ship I believe to be the safest conveyance for us at this time, & therefore shall thank you for particulars chiefly in that line—

The remarks of Mr: Thatcher & the reference of Mr: Harper respecting a conspiracy against the government, will I hope result in some discovery of consequence—a false alarm would be very hurtful in business of this nature—2 As to the existence of a traiterous correspondence with the french I have no doubt, nor have had for three years past, and I have thought the government culpable for not using all the means in its power to detect & expose it. If a few of our honest scruples are not got over, the enemies of our Country & Government may organize insurrection & rebellion in perfect security, fearless of discovery & in defiance of punishment.

Dr: L, who has lately been with you, is one of the damned— He has come over as a Jacobin Agent Plenipotentiary— he can have no authority from a majority of the Government—his character as a State Politician, I know something of—a man of some capacity— popular talents—a writer, famous in town & individual quarrels &ca: but supereminently a democrat—3 He is employed, depend upon it, for the worst of projects against our Government—Hichborn too— Where is the Livingston deputy— there should regularly be three.

Gerry, we are told, is gone— I have seen his letter to the President, by Gen Marshall, beseeching to be helped out of a scrape into which he had purposely fallen and from which he would be extricated only in his own way.4 He advises also a fresh appointment how often, in the name of God, would he have the experiment tried? There is here no news— Cobenzel is here, but for what?5

I am dear Sir, your’s

After 44 hours constant journeying we arrived here about 7 o’Clock on Wednesday morning. My companion Mr: C— hearing that a party of his acquaintance had set off about an hour before for Fryburg a place 24 english miles distant from this—ordered fresh horses, invited me to join him & upon my pleading fatigue, was off himself alone in order as he observed to cause an agreeable surprise to his friends, whom he intended to dine with.— I smarted up a little—dined at Table d’hote at 1 o’Clock—walked till half past 3 & slept till 7 in the evening in an easy arm chair; then who should appear in my room but parson Kent, who had arrived about 5 o’Clock in the afternoon, 224 applied at the Hotel whence I write, for lodgings, but could not gain admittance— Indeed without Mr: C——s former acquaintance here, we should have experienced a similar denial; but as a favor we got into a three foot square apartment, where I passed the first night.

Messrs: Kent & Jarrett were, I suppose, (as Mr: C— says), agreeably surprised to find an acquaintance— They were hunted about from one tavern to another, nearly an hour before they found lodgings & at last put up at a third rate Inn— You will understand by this detail that the town is overflowing with strangers, but I know not particularly the reason of it.— Yesterday we sauntered about most of the day; saw the public buildings walks &ca: but as yet, have made no excursions. Mr: C— returned late last night & to day we begin the rounds.1

Shall I, by way of temptation, attempt to describe to you the pleasure and convenience of the journey hither— The stately forests—florishing villages—highly cultivated fields—smiling valleys—lofty & majestic mountains, which alternately meet the eye & charm the senses. Or by silence tantalize you the more? I have heard of subjects so delicate & pathetic, that silence upon them was considered the height of eloquence— Imagine then I pray you, that this is one of those. Suffice it to say, that my poor horse had well nigh experienced a mournful fate—famine stared him in the face, while hunger & fatigue devoured him—2 I did think that oats at least might be had upon the road—but no—nothing, unless some chopp’d straw mixed with Rye—much of which would surely have killed him. I groaned in spirit for the poor beast, and repented many an hour, that I had led him into such a predicament. The heat of the weather obliged me to keep the carriage and of course the horse must be led—in this way we brought him on until within 6 german miles of this place; that is, 84 miles english without halting at once more than two hours. He would have gone further, but it would have been cruel indeed to have forced him, considering his stingy fare—so I made a bargain for sending him on, with the Post Master at Elsterwerder and left him to recruit. He came in yesterday morning quite fresh and hearty— But as a great secret, I will tell you, that I wish he were again safe in Berlin. To be my own horseler on the road, when tired, sleepy and almost worn out, was, in addition to the surliness of those I had to do with, a patience-trier, which I had not anticipated.

Messieurs K & J— were disappointed & grieved when I told them the little probable chance there was of seeing you here. They had 225 hoped that for the benefit of your health, the jaunt would have been put in execution. As to J——tt he says—I love Mrs: A— dearly—she puts me so much in mind of an old sweetheart. He bids me make his best respects to you & husband— To the family at Charlottg. we all beg to be remembered. In particular, you know where I should wish to be recalled.3

The post goes but twice a week hence to Berlin—Tuesday’s & Saturday’s— If any letters should come for me; please to have them sent on to my address at the Hotel de Baviere, whence with best love to your husband I subscribe myself / your brother