I have received your favour of the 18th. but cannot agree with you that “a considerable Period must elapse before the United States can arise to Greatness.”— They are already arrived at Greatness, and their greatest Misfortune is that they know it not.— The Politicians, if such there are, who think it best We never should be great are already disappointed. They may possibly contribute to keep others as ignorant as themselves; but they cannot annul the fact.— Men who think that Distinctions and Ranks ought not to exist, must think that Men ought to be annihilated.— I am amazed to read that “were We deprived of all intercourse with Europe this system might last for many years.” it could not exist an Hour.— it never did exist a moment. a Family a Clubb, a Parish, a Ship, cannot be governed in any Such Way.— How can Localities be destroyed in any Such Way.? It is high time for the Eastern States to despize their own Fools, and consider their Situation. Localities, I warrant you, will plague them Sufficiently if they do not. a late Locality, which propagated at the Same time a report in all the Southern States, that New England would not Vote for General Washington; and in the Northern states that Virginia, New York and South Carolina would not vote for General Washington: and in both that all were likely to unite in me, by which a Panick was Spread that I should be President and Washington Vice President: What think you of Such a Manæuvre? Is New England willing to be duped in this manner? Will they ever get rid of these Insults while they pursue, Such a Stupid System. They will distinguish nobody. The Southern States distinguish every body, who favours their Localities.— I See New England Out-generalled in so many Instances, that I begin to be ashamed that I was born there. The Senate, Sir, are constantly employed upon great Objects: but their Journal is not yet published.1 They have now the Impost Bill under consideration, and will reduce it to a reasonable System.

All Applications must be made to the President whom the Constitution has wisely made the judge in the first Instance of all 478 Pretentions.— Mr Paine I suppose will apply for the department you mention.

I expect now that Massachusetts will attempt to oversett the new Govt, by Setting up their State Govt, above the national Govt. — all other States yeild the Superiority decidedly.— But for fear John Adams should be distinguished above John Hancock, there is reason to apprehend that the Massachusetts will revolt.— Yet distinctions are of no Consequence.— Pray let Us learn common sense and common Consistency.—

For myself, I care as little for distinctions as any of them.— But I know that Authority cannot be maintained nor Law executed without them.— I can live however as well without Government as they can.

I am, dear sir yours

I take the liberty of laying before you a memorial epistle, I have presented to the President stating my right to presume upon the publick attention—1 As I have availed myself of an opportunity of mentioning your name, I think it my duty in apprising you of it, to solicit your patronage in support of those pretensions which you sir in a great measure have put it in my power to claim.

My long absence from home threw me entirely from the line of business I was engaged in, and numberless competitors at present prevent the resumption of it, so that I am necessitated to seek every occasion of advancing myself some other way—

I find, sir, that after many Attempts I cannot obtain a settlement from the board of treasury without a certificate from you purporting the propriety of payment from them.—

I sat out the first of November from London and returned thither in August, I incommoded myself exceedingly in embarking immediately from thence,—as both Mr: Jefferson & yourself conceived Congress might wish for every Information that I could give them.—

Upon my Memorial the Board were directed not merely to report, but to take order thereupon— they however insist upon your Certificate as the highest Evidence.—

I have done myself the Honor of calling several Times at Mr: Jay’s without being so fortunate as to see you—

I hope you will justify my presumption in thus addressing you.

I am / sir / most respectfully / your obedient & / humble servant