I did not receive your last letter until after it had been written some considerable time2 The request that I should write to my Aunt Shaw I have most willingly complied with. I send the letter to you open that you may peruse it, and if necessary make any alterations you shall think proper.3

There is always such a spirit of kindness in your letters to me that I could wish for them more frequently there is something more endearing in a mothers love than in a fathers. There was one passage with which I was exceedingly affected and which I did not fail to show to the Lady concerned I beleive we are both convinced of the propriety of the sentiments contained in it With the greatest truth I can say that from my first acquaintance with her my affections have not varied nor do I conceive why they should for I have always found her uniform. I could say much more but I know that Lovers lectures are seldom interesting to a third person.

As you are a polititian an abridgment of our State transactions will no doubt be acceptable. This State has been and still is the dupe of The Southern States. Continually wrong headed She will not perceive that the interests of New England and her own are intimately connected. We have elected six antifederalists for the lower house in Congress for the next two years. Mr King is however again chosen for the Senate to the great Joy of The friends of order. Clinton and Van Cortlandt have resigned or rather declined serving again and it is very doubtful whether Mr Jay or Mr Yates will succeed as Governor4 I cannot say much respecting the honest conduct of either party. Chicane and stratagem are opposed to the same weapons. lie to lie abuse to abuse. Such is the picture of our elections. Yet the people pretend to be Republicans though their conduct is diametrically opposite to the pure principles of Republicanism whose basis is purity in elections. But words govern men and rarely principles.

I congratulate you on the happiness of my Sister She is very well.

I have been these two days past engaged in writing to my brothers 397 in Holland. As by the Spirit of the King of Great Britain it appears that that power has made a separate peace with France They will probably remain undisturbed in their situations May heaven protect them is the fervent prayer of your affectionate son

Delighted and instructed as I have been by your two letters containing the strictures upon Mr Kent’s Lectures I was sorry at the injunction to keep them perfectly to myself, more so perhaps because I consider myself under some obligations to communicate to the members of our Society whatever may fall under my observation which can tend to the instruction of man kind and to the advancement of the Science of Government. As I conceived myself restricted I have made no communication. Yet how lamentable is it that in this Country with all its boastings The rising generation those of them more especially who have imbibed at an early period good principles and independent sentiments should be debarred from receiving instruction from meritorious characters who have gone before them, that ingenuous minds should be deprived of a freedom of communication that when mutual candour is predominant the young should not dare to be instructed by those of more experience. I could not say too much of the amiability of Mr Kent. I should find but few to compare with him of his age in point of abilities Yet you must acknowledge that in an introductory lecture of that kind expressions may be used not exactly investigated. Words create disputes more contention has originated from a misunderstanding of terms than any thing else. However such is my opinion of our Professor that I beleive he would have no hesitation at making those corrections which might be suggested.

It has of late become to fashionable to call this The age of Reason 398 that even men who upon reflection do not perceive the wondrous wisdom of the times yet fall into the cant phraseology of the day.1

I see nothing in the conduct of our elections to warrant the assertion that they are pure There may be in some parts of The United States more purity than in others but we are certainly verging towards corruption as fast or faster than any Nation ever did. Already in this State we look in vain for that purity about which we hear so much declamation. On the other hand we see Chicane and corruption made use of in every election from the lowest to the highest offices. When we talk then of purity we speak of a thing no longer prevailing.

Mr Wilcox was so obliging as to take letters and some newspapers for my brothers he will sail today

Holland it appears was about making a separate Peace with France it is quite time that a stop should be put to the effusion of human blood. Yet I fear that rivers will yet flow in France before She will establish a good Government. What is to become [of] England is it possible She can pay the inter[est] of her enormous debt? and if She should fail [at] that will it not overset every thing?

When will the treaty with England be public I am very anxious to see it.

With affection I am your son