Thank you for your favour of 28. Ult.— There is an entire harmony, between the two Persons you Speak of, and there is no probability of its interruption. The first is modest and the Second at least Shall be unassuming. The Constitution has furnished him with a justification of a cautious conduct, and imposed it on him as a duty.

Cæsar would never have been displeased, at a Compliment on his good fortune, nor would Marcus Aurelius. Henry the fouth of France and the late Frederick of Prussia, would as little have disliked it.— if I may, to you, my friend, in a familiar Epistle, mention myself after such Names, I assure you that I think I have myself enjoyed no small share of that same overruling good fortune, perhaps more of it, than the one to whom the Expression was applied; having been preserved in greater and more various dangers; tho not so happy in the affection of my Country men: Yet I never think of this fortune without Gratitude, and prize it much higher than all the any abilities, that any part of the World may vouchsafe to allow me.

I think as you do. of Duties and Drawbacks; that Patriotism is much wanted; and that private Interest and State Attachments present Us with a Choice of difficulties. I will add that Ignerance and Inexperience will continue to hurt this Country more than all the other Causes.— it has been our misfortune these fifteen Years, to think some of the most ignerant Men on Earth, omnicient.— These have sown the Seeds of nonsense, that will require time and labour to eradicate.— The Sentiments that I have read and heard in America these fifteen Years, and that I still continue to hear every day, even from Men of Education, Reading, Age, and travel, upon the subject of Government appear to me as extravagant, as the drivelings of Idiotism, or the ravings of delirium.—

a total inattention to every Thing in human nature by which Mankind ever were or ever will be governed is obvious in numbers who have the Reputation, and who really are Men of sense and Experienc as well as of letters.— our Chief has more just notions, and here and there one is to be found, who is quite right.— Mr Elsworth of Connecticut, appears to me to be more exactly and compleatly right, than any Man I ever met in Congress. and what crowns all, is, he is not afraid to think or Speak.— The Senate is a wise mild and noble body, of Men.— Yet I will own to you, I never knew a great 445 Statesman in my sense of the Word who was not a Lawyer, and there are not many of this description—not more I believe than three or four.—

A motion was made Yesterday, in Senate, by a very Sensible and worthy Member and Seconded by another which I really did not think it possible that a rational Creature could have endured to think of, vizt “that the President of the United States Should have the Title of his Excellency.[”] The Maker and receiver of most illustrious and most excellent Ambassaders, to be called His Excellency.! thanks to common feeling, there was not a vote for it, but the two who made and Seconded the motion.—1 if the Constitution forbids Titles, Excellency is as much an Usurpation as Majesty—if it leaves Titles to be given at discretion Some one should be thought of, proportioned to the Dignity and Authority of the Office.—

at the Ball, on the evening of the 7th. at Supper the Ladies would not drink “the President”—they all drank “his Highness.”—2 The Ladies probably must settle the dispute.— and thus Accident, feeling Caprice, always; and never Reason, decides the fate of nations.— for the Fate of this Govt. depends absolutely upon raising it, above the State Governments.

A real Talent for Government, my Friend, I have found very rare,— in Legislation, in Administration, in Negotiation, apparent rari, nantes in gurgite vasto.3 and when they do appear they are never understood.— Sully, Colbert, Cecil, were neither comprehended nor beloved, till after they were dead.—4 a Man must take so much pains to carry little Points, that seem of no importance, that he is despized for a fool by many and not thought very wise by any.

Since mine of Jan. 14. yours of Jan. 2. & Mar. 1. have been handed to me; the former by mr̃ Jones, whom I am glad to know on your recommendation and to make him the channel of evidencing to you how much I esteem whatever comes from you. the internal agitations of this country & the inactivity to which England is reduced by the State of imbecillity in which the madness of the king has terminated, will leave the Southwestern parts of Europe in peace for the present year. Denmark will probably continue to furnish only it’s stipulated succours to Russia, without engaging in the war as a principal. perhaps a pacification may be effected between Sweden & Russia: tho at present there is little appearance of it: so that we may expect that the war will go on this year between the two empires, the Turks & Swedes, without extending any further. even the death of the emperor, should it take place, would hardly withdraw his dominions from the war this summer. the revolution in this country has gone on hitherto with a quietness, a steadiness and a progress unexampled. but there is danger of a balk now. the three orders which compose the statesgeneral seem likely to stumble at the threshold on the great preliminary question How shall they vote, by orders or persons? if they get well over this question, there will be no difficulty afterwards, there is so general a concurrence in the great points of constitutional reformation. if they do not get over this question (& this seems possible) it cannot be foreseen what issue this matter will take. as yet however, no business being begun, no votes taken, we cannot pronounce with certainty the exact state of parties. this is a summary view of European affairs.

Tho I have not official information of your election to the Presidency of the Senate; yet I have such information as renders it certain. accept I pray you my sincere congratulations. no man on earth pays more cordial homage to your worth nor wishes more fervently 447 your happiness.— tho’ I detest the appearance even of flattery, I cannot always suppress the effusions of my heart.— present me affectionately to mrs Adams, Colo. and mr̃s Smith. I hope to see you all this summer, and to return this fall to my prison; for all Europe would be a prison to me, were it ten times as big. Adieu my dear friend / your affectionate humble sert