I am lodged at Mr Otis's and am personally well accommodated: but I am So little pleased with living alone at any Lodgings, that this shall be the last time. You must come to me another Year or I will come to you. I am convinced if you were now here you would again be sick for the damp and chill is very penetrating. Next fall, I hope your health will be better.

How the Election is gone I know not. It cannot go amiss for me, because I am prepared for every Event. Indeed I am of the Cat kind and fall upon my feet, throw me as they will. I hear some very good stories to this purpose sometimes.

Benson propagates a beautiful Anecdote of this kind.1 A large Company mixed of Federalists and Antis, Whigs and Tories, Clintonians & Jaysites were together at New York in Conversation about French Affairs. All Parties it seems condemned and execrated the Plans and Conduct of the Jacobins. Unluckily at length a Jaysite and Federalist observed that We had Jacobins in this Country who were pursuing objects as pernicious by means as unwarrantable as those of France. This roused the Resentment of a Clintonian Anti whose name is Gilbert Livingston, who took the Reflection to himself and his Party and grew warm.2 “Nothing says he mortifies me so much in the Misconduct in France and America too, as to see that the Fools are all playing the Game into the hands of that Mr John Adams.”

Why Said Benson to Livingston who it seems is a serious Man. Mr Adams reads the Scriptures and there he finds that Man is as stupid as the Wild Asses Colt.3 He believes what he reads and infers his necessary Consequences from it, that is all. Mr Adams is not to blame. He did not write the Scriptures. He only reads and believes.

Benson got the laugh upon Livingston but I love Livingston the better for the story. It shews Integrity and Candor at Bottom, ‘tho Prejudice and Party Spirit were att top.

The President & Lady and all others Enquire anxiously and affectionately for You. I have given Charles my Coach Horses to buy him Law Books. For the future your Pair of Horses will be all I shall keep. My Love to all

I had yesterday the honor of receiving your kind letter of the fifth.1 Our electors have returned from Poughkeepsie but are determined by the information I have procured to keep the State of their votes a secret. There is it is true a report that they were unanimous, but I beleive it arises from no good authority A certain nephew of our Governor has held out hopes of twelve votes from the eastern States but such ideas can intimidate none but very feeble minds2 New Jersey are unanimously federal if the information we receive by the papers be just. I this day received a Letter from my Brother John.3 He gives me very favorable accounts of my dear Mothers health He seems to be fixed in the system of Optimism and looks or affects to look with vast sang froid upon the various hurly burlies that are happening in the world. The horses are not yet arrived I have written to Mr Bull to send them on immediately I have received no answer I shall write again tomorrow. We have had no arrivals from Europe since you left us and have nothing new stirring The account of the Capture of Dumorier's army is not beleived4

Our Legislature are still upon the examination respecting the rejection of the votes at the last election for Governor how long it will last and whither it will tend I know not. It serves at least to keep animosity alive.

I am Dear Sir your Dutiful son