you are very good dear William in your attentions towards me, and I receive the papers regularly which will now become more interesting as Congress proceed in buisness. yours of the 10 & 12 of december I have received this week.1 the Aurora shows that tho Bache is dead, he yet speaketh, or rather that the party which supported him, are determined to have a press devoted to them. whether the influence is foreign or domestick, or both together it is of concequence that it should be made to keep within the bounds of decorum, and if we had not a milk and water A T G—ll the Rasscalls should yeald to the Laws—2 I expect we shall have to use some of the tribute due to Tallyrand before the daring Spirit, of Kentucky, and its Mother state will be quiet.3 I have no great opinion of more decisive measures being adopted by Congress than have been, at least I fear so. some of our warm Spirits think the Presidents speech tho firm, very cool & moderate to what they expected. even Jarvis says it is mild— it is what it ought to be, not a personal feeling in it, but as connected with the honour and dignity of the Nation.

I am rejoiced to hear you are so well pleased, and happy, and that mr Brisler has a Good servant in lieu of John but if he is a Foreigner, 316 however he may understand his buisness I am certain, judging from the experience I have had from my first going to Philadelphia, a few months will prove him either intemperate or dishonest, perhaps both, such have been every one which we have yet had. I therefore more highly prize an American whose Character has stood Eleven years trial and whose countanance looks like temperance, and whose manners are civil decent and becomeing— I believe mr Brisler will find him to wear better, than any of the foreign servants. I should therefore wish to have him Confided in, if he is found deserving—

I heard from your Mother this week.4 she is well. I have been much better for these three last weeks, than for four months before. I have had good rest, all but one Night, and that was when I read in the paper, that the President was so indisposed as not to be able to attend Congress, to deliver his speech: my dear doctor used to say, I do not want to ask you how you do. I met the President, and I saw by his looks how you were— I hope he will keep up his spirits, and that we shall meet again with more agreable prospects of Health, than the last summer afforded; your uncle Cranch rode out yesterday, and made me a visit. he is better— I am anxious; very much so, for my dear Thomas—a dreadfull coast, & a cold threatning winter, the worst of seasons to come Home in, but I must commit him to a kind providence which has Singularly favourd my Family, in all their various voyages why should I distrust?

Louissa says I may send her Love to you, tho it is not of that nature which mrs Willing described If it was mrs George Willing, I do not think she has ever recoverd from her dizziness—

I believe by your annecdote of dr Logan, that the Chronical told truth for once!!— I know not why he should regreet, words of course— a poor creature! my Love to mrs otis I will write to her soon— my pens are bad; Bobby does not come often enough to keep them in good order— I am your affectionate

Notwithstanding my arms are so stiff, that I can scarcely move them, occasioned by cutting venson for twenty eight very hungry men, yet I must write a few lines to my aunt, before I sleep.

We were made very happy this morning by the receipt of your letter of the tenth of Dec to the president. You do not say a single word, whether you have receiveed the newspapers, which I have sent you regularly, every day, since I arrived in the city.

Yesterday we had some indians to visit the president—five large, tall & as well built men as I ever saw.1 I do not know, what Buffon and the Abbey Raynal would have said, had they have been present, to their foolish and absurd hypothesis “that man was belittled in America.[”]2 Their speech was lengthy and full of repetitions. But there were a few sentences which for their simplicity and sentiment struck me very forcibly— they were these. “Brother, Although we are in your house, and sheltered from the cold winds, still we are in the presence of God—from his view we cannot hide ourselves, nor can we deceive him. Every deception will fly directly to his eye.” I have given you the words as well as I can recollect, but not exactly—they were much more beautiful. After presenting to the president great quantities of wampum & the calumet of peace, out of which we all smoaked, and drinking a glass of wine they marched off appearing to be well pleased.

Bache’s paper is carried on with more virulence than ever if it is possible.— they do assert the most abominable and hellish lies you 318 ever heard. they published two or three mornings gone, that they had the pleasure to inform their customers, that a vessel had arrived in the Deleware from France, with commissarys, who had dispatches from the Executive directory to our government, and that they did not doubt that peace and harmony would soon be restored between the two countries.3 When I read and hear of such abominable impudence and wickedness, I am all most compelled to cry with a certain philosophic great man, Oh that I were a dog, that I might not call man my brother.4

A committe from the house of representatives from Pensylvania have waited on the president this evening with a most excellent address, and the president intends gives an excellent answer tomorrow at 12 Oclock.5

Long before this reaches you, you must have received the presidents speech, I want to hear every word that is said in its favor and against it. The jacobins here say that the speech—the answer of the Senate and house are the most moderate they ever remember to have heard.— they dont say much against them. I can tell you the reason. Knowing the firm and intrepid policy which the president has always recommended and pursued and moreover convinced of what ought to be done, the jacobins have thought & I believe expected that a declaration of war between America and France would be recommended by the president and echoed back by the two houses— they are very agreeably disappointed and to be sure they have reason to be pleased.— they can now still pursue their tampering and lullaby policy.

It is most admirable slaying here and excessive cold. Please to remember me respectfully and affectionately to Uncle & aunt Cranch & to give my love to Cousen L—

With affection & respect I am sincerely your