I am honored with your letter of 31 of August. Your complaint against our laws was well founded but we have passed a law which I hope will give satisfaction. This was done in full confidence, that you will adopt the constitution and send us senators and Representatives before next session. If we should be disappointed I presume that serious measures will be suggested, to let your Anti’s know that their interests are connected with ours, and that a desperate 159 conspiracy of unjust men are not able to do so much mischief as they fattered themselves they had the power to do. Dr Sender and Mr Bourne did not give me an opportunity of shewing them the civilities which your recommendation entitled them to, and my own inclination prompted. The turbulent State of Europe ought to be a motive with us to get into order as soon as possible, and Rhode Island especially ought to feel the impropriety of her conduct in embarrassing themselves and their neighbors as they have done. out of the union there is no hope for your people but misery to themseves and mischief to others.

I have been happy in the company of my old friend Mr. Marchant of NPort whose success in his negotiation I hope will recommend him to the favorable attention of his Country. I have known him these five and thirty years the same honest candid and sensible man

With esteem & & &

Yours of July 9 & 27 are unanswered.

I cannot reconcile myself to the Idea of a Division of this Continent, even fifty Years hence. great Sacrifices ought to be made to Union, and an habit of Obedience to a well ordered, and judiciously limited Government, formed at this early Period. a Dissolution of the Union involves Consequences of so terrible a kind, that I think We ought to consent to an Unity of Executive Authority at least, if not even to a Consolidation of all Power in one national Government rather than Seperate. We must first, however make a fair Tryal of the present system.

The Compensation to the Vice President, is, to be Sure, a Curiosity.— But the fault is entirely in the Massachusetts. There is not a State in the Union so weak in its Policy as that. There is not and never was these 15 Years any Union or Harmony among her Delegates

They never had a head—those whose Vanity pretended to be foremost had no heads on their shoulders. The Consequence has been, that altho the first Men have been produced by that state tho their military Power has been equal to almost all the rest: tho their 160 commercial Advantages are superiour to any other; Yet they have the Reputation of nothing: their Commerce has been half ruined, and their Liberties nearly overwhelmed.— I Seriously think that their whole State Policy has been weaker than any in the Union.

The Opposition to the V. P. salary originated in Massachusetts.— Massachusetts moved to cutt off 500£ of my Salary in Europe immediately after I had made them a Peace. If that State is not made a signal Example of Vengeance against Injustice and Ingratitude, it will not be because it has not deserved to be.—

Other States reward their Benefactors. King, only for manœuvring Congress out of their design to go to Philadelphia has been nobly rewarded.— But a Man may drudge forever for Massachusetts and die a beggar,; nay what is worse die in disgrace. God forgive them.

how the President will decide, on the judiciary Appointments I know not.— There is no system nor Harmony among the Men from Massachusetts—One recommends one, and another another. Dont you be chagrin’d, mortified humiliated nor vexed Let it go as it will.

I am, sir yours