For several days my spouse has been a bit better, which would have alleviated my concern for her if the extreme weakness that persists did not keep me worrying still.

The schemes for Bavaria being upset seems to have occasioned a determination to try to make up for it at the expense of the republic, which cannot bring itself to sign the new proposals that are made to it, and consequently I fear that we will in the end have a war.1

As I do not know where Congress currently resides, I am leaving blank the address on one of the two enclosures, asking your excellency to be so kind as to supply it.2

Mrs. Van Berckel, whose elder daughter is leaving to go to her father, asked me if she risked anything from the Barbaries in an American vessel, one of which is ready to depart from Amsterdam, taking the northern route. My opinion, which I let her know, is that there is nothing to fear along that route in this season. If I am mistaken, a prompt warning from your excellency would enable me to recant and to save Miss Van Berckel from the misfortune of being captured. Our respects to the Adams ladies. Your excellency’s very humble and very obedient servant