This day compleats Ten weeks, since you sailed and I have had no opportunity before this, by Captain Scott, of writing to you, unless by way of Amsterdam, where I have little hope of finding you. The Arms of France have proved so powerfull, and their victorys have been so rapid, that I should not be surprized to learn, that they had renderd your commission Nul & void, by overturning the Republick, and Demolishing the Government of the Country to which you are accreditted; in that case, you will remain where you are, untill further orders.

You will be pleased to hear, as you will no doubt, from various quarters, that the Insurgency is suppressd in Pennsylvania. the determind spirit of the people Soon formed too powerfull an Army for them to make any Head against. they Soon Saw and felt, that they must submit. Numbers of them have been taken, and confined for trial.

Mr Findley in an interveiw with the President, told him, that the opposition of the people in the Rebellious Counties, was not a resistance to the Excise, or any other particular measure of Government, but an universal opposition to all Law, all Government, and all 275 Magistracy, and that rather than go through such an other Scene, as he had witnessed amongst them he should wish to quit the stage of Life. this from Findlay; looks as if he had been compeld to alter some of his sentiments by sad experience, and will I hope have a good effect upon a Man of real good Sense, and I hope Heart.

Mr Smith of S C. is Re Elected, by a large Majority. Mr Ames Election was carried with a firmness and Resolution which abashed all Jacobinism. if the Electors would bear a Scrutiny upon the Side of his opponent, they certainly would upon his. if any credit was to be given to the Chronical, we Should believe that Ames’s party had adopted the sentiment of Hudibrass, “To combat Evil, tis Lawfull to employ the devil” But he remains in full pay of the other Party, and can transform assignatts into Crowns or even Guineys.

The New Elections are generally Federal and our Government has taken deeper and firmer Root, for the storms and tempests which have assaild it.

Generall Waynes victory over the Savages has had a happy effect upon our Tawnny Neighbours and the Aspect of our Country, is Peace and Plenty. the view is delightfull, and the more so when contrasted with the desolation and carnage which overspread a great proportion of the civilized world.

I heard this week from your Father and your Brother and sister,1 all of whom were well. they will undoubtedly write to you, as vessels are going from thence

we have flatterd ourselves that you had a prosperous voyage, as the Winds from shore were favourable for a long time. I hope you will not omit any opportunity of writing to her whose happiness is so intimately blended with your prosperity, and who at all times is your / ever affectionate Mother

The Pamphlet inclosed may be called “The most astonishing Concentration of Jacobitical Malevolence that ever Scottish Spite exhibited.” I have read it however with Interest and Avidity. It is not badly 276 written— It has, no doubt, too much foundation in Truth. It has little of the Wit and none of the humour of Tom Pain, but has more than his Malice & Revenge. It is sometimes amusing to contemplate Sheer Malignity, especially when it seems not to have any Power to do harm. The Writer is a “Callender” now in this City employed as a Writer of Essays and Paragraphs for his Newspaper by Andrew Brown. We shall soon see the offspring of his Genius applied to Men & Measures in America. very soon will he be a Member of the Democratical society, as I foresee. This Country is to be the Asylum of all the discontented, turbulent, profligate and Desperate from all Parts of Europe and Democratical societies are to raise them to fame, Popularity, Station & Power. How long the People will countenance this I know not. Jefferson it seems is to give the first Passport to these Incendiaries. Malignity seemed to have Seized upon that Mans mind as deeply as upon Paines & Callenders.1

The President and Senate have fixed a Stigma on certain Anarchical societies. The House will do the same though perhaps in feebler terms.2 No Party No Man in either house has justified them—None has even excused them. some have imprudently admitted their Legality. People have a right to meet & consider of Laws express their Opinions and feelings, for the Purpose of petitioning the Legislature for Repeals Or Amendments. But it is not lawful to meet to frame & publish Censures upon Laws, and Libels upon Men or Measures. If when assembled they do an unlawful Act Their Assembly is adjudged to unlawful from the Beginning. The Legality of the Meeting depends upon the Legality of their Conduct. It is incautious and improvident therefore to acknowledge their Legality, without Exceptions Qualifications & limitations as some have done who are no friends to them.

Adieu

My Waggish Friend Fitch of Jamaica applies to me from the Rolliad, or Probationary Odes.