Your kind favor of July 19th. was transmitted from Hamburg by our cousin Welsh & came to hand last evening.1 He had a pleasant passage of 38 days and will come on here as soon as he is a little recruited.

We had already received your letter of the 14th: informing of his intended embarkment in a short time, and I have made my arrangements in consequence to be off as soon as the Elizabeth letter of Marque shall be ready for sea, having written to Mr: Pitcairn to take passage for me on board of her.2 By my last letter to you, (towards the last of July) perhaps you may be led to expect me rather sooner than I shall actually arrive.3 When that was written I had thoughts of taking passage on board a neutral vessel, then nearly ready for sea, but the news we received from home in the interval determined me to renounce this project & wait for an armed vessel of our own nation. It seemed, with me, to be even a point of honour, not to desert my Country’s flag, because it was in danger; but even a submissive & tame neutral appeared preferable to the defenceless merchantment under our Colours. At length however an occasion presents itself, such as I should chuse, except that our force is rather less than one could wish. The Elizabeth carries 12 Guns & 40 Men, but if the Captain is hearty in the cause—equal force will not take us.4

I am sorry to find by your account, that N. York proves deficient in public spirit or even inferior to its neighbours. I had calculated otherwise— But if we must have french tories as formerly we had british, New York, has certainly a prior right to the honor of containing them—if precedent in this respect confers a title.

I have remarked with pleasure, that the thermometer of my feelings upon the subject of our national interests & concerns was not an incorrect indication of the degree of temper, which a full 239 knowledge of our wrongs would raise among our fellow citizens. I foretold also, that the general politics of Pennsylvania would eventually be right, though I confess, that since this prophecy was uttered, there has been abundant reason to think it desperate. A federal Governor & Chief Justice would keep that State invariably true in its politics— But perhaps “Tom the Tinker” does pretend to such a reputation, in these times— I give the credit of it, if it be so, to his son in law—a worthy & spirited lad, with whom I will be better acquainted, please God I get safe home. Of all the descendents & heirs of the old Pennsylvania Patriots, I have marked him out as one (I hope not the only one), in whom the father’s soul survives.5 There must be others, whom time and events will bring to light. They cannot conceal themselves in such times as these, for to distinguish them from the degenerate race who court & covet a foreign or a french master, is as easy as to distinguish truth & loyalty from deceit & hypocrisy, or an honest man from a Jacobin.

The farce is yet kept up by the french Directory relative to their pacific and friendly dispositions towards us (our people)—they have most graciously & condescendingly & gratuitously & lovingly, and abundance of more ly’s raised the Embargo upon our vessels. How many were there & to whom did they belong? The number was hardly sufficient to warrant the name of an embargo, & the vessels chiefly belong to their dearest friends in America. At whose instance has it been raised? As a compliment to the mission of Dr: Logan—(a villain & a traitor to his Country) patronized & recommended if not deputized, by a brother philosophical letter writer, whom I once designated as “liable to be seized with the disorder so common to his inmates & companions, that of betraying his Country’s trust.”6 In times like these open hatred, publicly expressed, may be indulged with decency when such characters are the objects. This very Extraordinary Envoy arrived a few days too late, for he missed meeting another extraordinary Envoy, who had set sail before he could get to Paris. Miraculous departure! Had an interview taken place, the sage of Cambridge might have been terrified into a new negociation by a fresh menace of rupture. This said Doctor I am inclined to suppose will need the benefit of an amnesty to restore him to his friends & employers. Who knows, but that at this moment, like another Citizen Ochs, he is framing a new Constitution for the United States and securing for himself a seat in the Directory?7

Since the date of my last letter, I have made a short & delightful excursion to Dresden and visited all the curiosities of that town & 240 its neighborhood, of which I shall be happy to give you an oral description. At present I shall only observe, that knowing the beauties of the place, I should have been mortified to have left the Country without seeing them.

In the hope of meeting you, my father & friends before another chistmas, I remain my dear mother with the warmest affection / Your Son

Your favour of the 14th: inst. came to hand last night a little time after my letter to you had gone to the post; its contents however may serve to regulate you as to engaging my passage, but I will add further, that as the season is so far advanced it would be imprudent to defer my passage for the sake of having accommodations quite to my liking—if therefore a clever Captain & good vessel should soon offer, I will thank you to engage a birth for me, whether armed or unarmed.1 I see in the Hamburg “intelligence Comptoir” a number of American & Danish vessels advertized to be ready by the middle of this month—probably some of these may sail about the 1st: proxo:—2

In reply to your enquiry respecting arms, I can only say that our War Department may have already given orders to our Minister in London for the purchase of a supply, as I know such a measure was contemplated, but whether they have actually been given I am unable to say— If you wrote to Mr: King the same intelligence as you 241 have given me upon this subject, it might be useful, specifying the size—calibre &ca: &ca: of the Arms and the price at which they may be contracted for; deliverable at Hamburg or in the U.S. The Prussian fusee’s cost complete at the manufactory upon an average Rx 7. a piece; this is about half the sum allotted by the law of Congress— the expence & risque of transportation might amount to 3 Rx more which would afford a considerable profit as a speculation even from hence. But if the Govt: has already given orders for the purchase of any quantity, you will probably be informed of it from the source, though it would be well to advertize Mr: K— of your prospects.3

I wear a black cockade myself, with my uniform, but otherwise not; though I approve the idea of wearing one at home, and agree with you that it is rather apish to wear it abroad, unless as an officer— It can do no harm however unless it should produce a spirit of persecution towards such as do not assume it. I think a Consul should officially wear the cockade prescribed to the Naval Officers, & if his emoluments would permit—the uniform. You see my opinion would lead you at once into expence. You will do best to follow your own.4

The Autumnal reviews are just commencing— I wish you could spare a few days to come & see them—5 You could come on with Mr: Welsh & return / with your humble Servt