I received your Letter of the 7th in due Season and have delayed my Answer, in hopes it might be more determinate. I have received also Letters from Governor Bowdoin and Mr Higginson on the Same Subject.1 The Contents of these Letters appeared to me of Such Importance, that I thought it my Duty to lay them before the President, as [in]formation that he ought to be possessed of;—Since which I have had more than one personal Conference with him on the Subject;—What his decision will be I am not able to say. Applications and Recommendations and Representations are made to him from all Parties. Mr H. & Mr A. are not Silent,2 any more than others who are more zealous for the new Govt.— The President Examines and weighs with great Attention and Care, and determines according to Principles which he has laid down for himself, which in general are good & wholesome.

For my Part, I am So clearly convinced, of the Necessity of an Unity in the Executive Authority of Government, and of the Propriety of having all Appointments vested in one Breast, that I wish my Friends would excuse me from interfereing on any Occasion. The Daily Labour, of my Attendance in Senate, is fatiguing, the delicacy of finding proper times to converse with the President, on Appointments, renders it difficult, and after all, my information can be but partial, when his, is compleat.— Especially as I am to be made the Scape Goat, on whom all the sins of Unpopularity are to be laid.— My Exertions for Lincoln, have torn open an hornets Nest at Boston, and my Vote for the Presidents Power of Removal, according to the Constitution, has raised from Hell an host of political and poetical Devils.—

I have waited on the President expressely in behalf of our Friend Jackson: He listenened Attentively to all my Representations: but I found that other Characters were in contemplation, meritorious Officers in the late Army and amiable Men, it must be confessed.

In all Events, my Friend, Suffer not these Things to affect your Spirits or your Happiness.— You may have cause to rejoice, that you 151 have met a disappointment, if even that should happen.— Things are not enough settled, to make any Place desireable.

at least this is still the Opinion of, dear sir / Your old Friend and faithful humble / sert

On the 26th: last Month only, we received your respected favor of 2 Decbr to our Predecessors, accompanying the Second and Third Volumes of Your Defence of the American Constitutions, to compleat the Setts presented us; For which Mark of your Friendship and Remembrance, Please accept our hearty Thanks.—1

Your departure from Europe, has been followed by Events of infinite importance indeed; Here the Flame caught by your glorious Revolution, has been smothered for a time, But in France it appears to have made such Progress, as will We hope ensure to that populous & happily situated Country, a Constitution of Freedom, the Basis of which is already laid by a declaration of the sacred and inalienable Rights of Mankind. Should this grand Work be carried to Maturity, of which there is a good prospect, its Consequences will spread all around, and this Country certainly not feel them the last.—

The Dread of this great Revolution already alarms the Foes to the natural Liberties of Mankind, and may probably cause an Embrasure in Europe, that by involving the different powers of this Quarter of the Globe, would prove highly advantageous to your Commerce and Credit in Europe, The present State of the latter of which confirms in the fullest manner, what We have often assured to you in person, that its Revival depended solely upon the Establishment and Operation of an efficient and respectable Government in the United-States: As the Parent of the American Credit in this Country, You Sir, cannot but be more than ordinarily interested in 152 its progress and Situation, Wherefore We are certain to gratify you, in communicating more early perhaps than You would know thro’ your Official Channel, the purport of the Letter the Commissioners of the American Loans here address per this Conveyance to your Treasury-Board, To the inclosed Copy of which We have only to subjoin, that Your Four per Cent Bonds are now One to Two per Cent above par, and the Five per Cents from 96 to 99 per Cent, So that they now appear most respectably among the other Loans negotiated here, with the appearance of going still higher, and thus will be rendered easy the raising here on favorable Terms, what further Sums the United-States may stand in need of.—

We beg you to accept our most sincere Congratulations upon this Situation of the American Credit here, as well as upon the successful Operations of Your new Federal Government, and your Appointment to the very distinguished Post You occupy in it; Which We wish you a long Enjoyment of, not doubting but You will discharge it with equal Assiduity and Abilities as You have manifested in all your former Employs, Which have secured you the most flattering Recompence, the Esteem and Gratitude of your Fellow Citizens.—

Mrs: Van Staphorst joins in presenting our most respectful Compliments to Mrs: Adams; And requesting that when in our power to render you any useful or agreeable Offices here, You will not spare us, as it will at all times afford us real Satisfaction to convince you how truly and respectfully We are / sir / Your most obd hble Servt.