The packet being detaind I write you a few Lines further to inform you that mr Marshal accepts his appointment, but Judge Dana declines on account of his Health The President accordingly has Nominated mr Gerry. the senate have not yet agreed to it.1 the N Englanders do not like this Nomination. You are so well acquainted with mr Gerry, and With his sentiments Principles conduct and services, that I need make no observation to you; you will at first sight conceive the reason why he is opposed by Essex Men. they all allow that he is an honest honorable Man, but too stiff and inflexable. for myself I believe mr Gerry will have the interest of his Country at Heart, and only that. we all know that he has on some occasions mantaind his own opinions against the Majority, tho he has peaceably and quietly submitted to the Government, and firmly supported it, When it was adopted— this subject of appointments is one of the most difficult and delicat parts of the Executive department. Lewis the 14, it was I believe who used to say, that when he made an appointment, he made 99 Enemies, and one ungratefull Man.2 I hope however, he represented Humane Nature worse than it really is, but it is extreemly difficult to give satisfaction. I presume the senate will not negative mr. Gerry. it is not a very desirable embassy under present circumstances and pains will be taken to defeat it, and from this Country, I have not a doubt. Congress have been in Session ever since the 15 May, and only two Acts have yet been past, and those originated in the senate.

In March last I received a very polite Letter from mrs Copley, desiring leave to introduce to me a Friend of ours. one only expression led me to suppose it was a portrait. I Sent to the Captain of the vessel. He knew not of any thing for me. Mr smith went to the custom House, and found a case with D D R upon it. he inquired of mr Rogers if any thing had been sent him for me. he had not received any advice of any thing. Mr smith orderd the case to his House. upon opening it, we were not any of us at a moments hessitation. I recognized the striking resemblance of my Dear absent son. it is allowd to be as fine a portrait as ever was taken, and what 170 renders it peculiarly valuable to me is the expression the animation the true Character which gives it so pleasing a likeness—and I have been not a little flatterd, by strangers saying, they can trace the resemblance of my features in it. I cannot Do that, myself; but I have those of Thomases, who I never before thought, look’d like you. Mrs Copleys Letter was designdedly Enigmatical, and I know not to this Hour Whether the picture was sent me by your direction, or whether it comes unknown to you, as a present from her. it is most Elegantly Framed, and is painted in a masterly Manner. no present could have been more acceptable.3

the senate have advised and consented to mr Gerry 21 yeas to 6 Nays. I am sorry to say amongst the six were our two senators. the other four also are all good Men indeed I must regreet that they did not give him their Vote as all of them allowd him to be a Man, of abilities and integrity. there apprehension was, that by a too rigid opinion upon trivial matters he might obstruct the negotiation; I hope he will not fall into this Error, as he will be carefully guarded against it. he is certainly a Man as impartial with Respect to the two Nations France & England, as could have been pointed out, and will be as much disposed to conciliate our differences. but the successes of that Nation and their Dominering power, give them such a weight that all Nations appear to be Sinking under their Weight.

No further Letters from you than those which I mentiond in my last Letter to the 27 March4

I believe there is more diversity of Sentiment in Congress than is to be found in any portion of the union—more party Spirit, and I hope more […]

I must close however and putt a check upon my pen. if I could write freely I should say many more things to you— I am as Ever / Your &c &c &c

I received your Letter of June 13th. and thank you for it. the account you give me respecting my House and the Farm are very pleasing. I like your proposal of going to it and taking tea with my good Neighbours very much— I am very sorry to hear that mrs Beal is so unwell. I have feard that she would fall into a decline, for she has appeard to me, to look very unwell for many Months. she was a good Neighbour, and would be a very heavy loss to her Family.

I do flatter myself with the prospect of comeing to Quincy to pass the Months of August and sepbr I know it will be a tedious Journey, but I fear it will be more tedious here, and the President really suffers for want of a journey, or rather for want of some Relaxation. to day will be the 5th great dinner I have had, about 36 Gentlemen to day, as many more next week, and I shall have got through the whole of Congress, with their apendages— then comes the 4 July which is a still more tedious day, as we must then have not only all Congress, but all the Gentlemen of the city, the Govenour and officers and companies, all of whom the late President used to treat with cake punch and wine. what the House would not hold used to be placed at long tables in the Yard. as we are here, we cannot avoid the trouble nor the expence. I have been informd the day used to cost the late President 500 dollors. more than 200wt of cake used to be expended, and 2 quarter casks of wine besides Spirit. you will not wonder that I dread it, or think President Washington to blame for introducing the custom, if he could have avoided it. Congress never were present here before on the day, so that I shall have a Hundred & 50 of them in addition to the other company. long tables are sit in the House with Similar entertainment. I hope the day will not be Hot. I am like to be favour’d with a cool one to day at which I rejoice for it is no small task to be sit at table with 30 Gentlemen.

Judge Dana declines his appointment. I feard he would as the state of his Health has been infirm the President has now nominated mr Gerry. this I know will be cavill’d at by some, and he will be blamed for it, but the responsibility rest with him, and he must bear it. he would not have nominated him if he had not thought him, an honest Man and a Friend to his Country, who will neither be deceived nor Warped— I hope he will not refuse.

The task of the President is very arduous, very perplexing and very hazardous. I do not wonder Washington wishd to retire from it, or rejoiced at seeing and old oak in his place— he has manifested his intire approbation of the measures persued by the Executive.1

I thank you for your care of my things. let mrs Hunt know that Nabby is well and I believe contented and that I shall want Betsy if I come as I expect, and I shall stand in need of some more female help—particuliarly a cook— I might here of some black woman in Boston perhaps who would undertake for two Months. I wish you would inquire

I want to have the House White Washd. I will thank you to see a little about it. it will be well to have the Garden attended to.

I inclose you a Ribbon, I met With the other day, and I sent cousin Betsy a short Gown to show her the fashion, by mrs douse who was to send it to Boston to mr smiths. I hope it will fit her—2

adieu my dear sister. / I am, most affectionatly / yours

I have not seen a speech more to the point than Genll shepards but old Men do not take so much pains to circulate their Fame as young ones. I inclose it for mr Cranch.3 let me know if you get Fennos papers now if you do not I will send them to you Love to all Friends. tell Polly Baxter, that I shall miss her very much when I come to Quincy, particuliarly in cooking Betsy Howard I think is better, tho not able to go through but little—