I intended to have written to you previously to my departure from New York— Mr. Jay has undoubtedly transmitted to you the late Acts of Congress permitting your return to America after the expiration of your Commission to the English Court, and giving you the unequivocal thanks of the U.S. for the diligent, faithful, and able discharge of your various public Duties since your Residence in Europe— No minister of Congress having before received such Testimony of the public Approbation, you will naturally suppose the Truth, that the Partizans of those Ministers who have returned without any mark of public favor, were not entirely satisfied with the ample vote of Thanks in the present instance— this Distinction in my Judgment constitutes the principal value of the vote, since it proves that the measure was not of Course, but the Effect of singular merit.

Your last loan in Holland was approved and ratified; and as on your return you will probably take leave at the Hague as well as at London, Congress judged it proper that your Legation to the former, should terminate with your Commission to the latter— there did not seem to be a Disposition in Congress to appoint a successor to either of these Courts at present; Mr. Jefferson’s commission is renewed for Versailles, and I intend writing to Col. Smith by this Opportunity in reply to his last letter relative to the London Legation—1

Some Difficulties have heretofore taken place in an allowance to Mr. Dana for a private Secretary while at St. Petersburgh; I was very happy in Effecting the customay allowance to Mr. Dana on this point 202 previously to my leaving Congress, and the more so as it will ease you of an Expence incurred for your Son while in Russia—2

Massachusetts, Connecticut, & Pennsylvania have called conventions in their respective states to consider the Report of the late General Conventions— these are the only states, whose Legislatures have been in session since the publication of the Report—3

With the highest respect & Esteem I have the honor to be Dr. Sir your Obt. & very Hble Servt.

Mr Daniel Parker will have the Honour to deliver you this. He is an intelligent American, and well informed as any Man you will see from hence. I beg leave to introduce him to you.

Let me thank you for your late Letter and the important State Papers inclosed with it.—1

I have ordered to your Address, a dozen Copies of my Boudoir for the Marquis, who desired Mr Appleton and Mr Paine to have them sent.— I have called it a Defence of the American Constitutions, because it is a Resistance to an Attack of Turgot. The two Volumes are confined to one Point. and if a City is defended from an Attack made on the North Gate, it may be called a Defence of the City, altho the other three Gates, the East West and South Gates were so weak, as to have been defenceless, if they had been attacked.— If a Warriour should arise to Attack our Constitutions where they are not defencible, I’l not undertake to defend them. Two thirds of our States have made Constitutions, in no respect better than those of the Italian Republiks, and as sure as there is an Heaven and an 203 Earth, if they are not altered they will produce Disorders and Confusion.

I can tell you nothing of Politicks. All the World is astonished at the Secrecy of Mr Pitt.— Great Preparations for War, yet the World can find no Ennemy nor Object. Carmarthen “hopes the Scudd will blow over, and even that the Quarrell between the Port and Russia will be made up. Wh[ile] a Fire is burning in any quarter of Europe, no one can tell when or where it may Spread.” The General Understanding is that the U.S. are to be let alone, and they have given general orders to the Navy, to let American Vessells and seamen alone. They will have their hands full, I believe, and there is little Plunder to be made of Americans. So that We may be quiet,—as long as they will let Us.— But our Countrymen will do well to think of the Possibility of Danger and of the means of Defence. a War would cost Us more than We have of Cash or Credit, but if We should be attacked We must defend, Money or no Money, Credit or no Credit.— Whether John Bull, has Command enough of his Passions to see Us punctually fullfill our Treaties, as We must do, without being transported with rage, you who know him can tell as well as I.— We know this Gentlemans hasty Temper so w[ell] that I think We may very safely wish for the Continuance of Peace, between France and him, even upon Selfish Principles, tho our Commerce & Navigation would be greatly promoted by a War, if We can keep out of it.

I tremble and agonize for the Suffering Patriots in Holland. You may judge to what L[eng]ths the Spirit extends against them by a formal Compl[aint] their High Mightinesses against Dumas, and a Requisi[tio]n to me, to employ him no longer but to appoint some other Person in my Absence. it is not, I am well persuaded as Agent for the United states, but as a Friend of France or of the Patriotic Party against the Statholder, that he has unfortunately incurred this Censure & Displeasure. Yet as Mr Dumas holds not his Character or Authority from me, I can do nothing, but transmit the Papers to Congress.

With great Esteem, I have the honour to be / dear sir, your most obedient Servant