I am pleased to find that the President in his late Speech to both Houses of the American Parliament has specifically called their attention to foreign Affairs and to those necessary provisions, preliminary to his nominations in that Department1

The rising consequence of this Country in the scale of Nations will doubtless be a subject of much political & commercial speculation in the European World—while I conceive that our own interest & more especially the product of our Revenue is intimately connected with the extension of our Commerce & having our intercourse with other Powers secured by explicit treaty or Contract & no longer subject to the uncertain tenure of legislative decrees—to effect these & other valuable purposes—deputations in the Diplomatic & Commercial lines will probably soon take place—a Secretaryship in the former—or a Consulate in the latter are Objects which I trust a not unworthy Ambition still prompts me to indulge the hope of obtaining & in prosecution of which I expect to be shortly at New york

I have just finished the second reading of those Volls. of your defence of the American Constitutions which you politely gave me at Mr Jay’s and I’ll assure you Dr Sir I am delighted with the generous sentiments they contain in favr. of the happiness of mankind—while my mind has been illumined & informed in the best means by which that Happiness is to obtained & secured under a free & equal administration—every avenue to the human Heart is there fully explored, the true direction of the political magnet discovered, and the great Arcana in the science of Government which has puzzled Philosophers & Statesmen of old are there completely developed—and the mode of reducing its principles to practice so as best to subserve the interest of human Nature is rendered clear and intelligible—

Pardon my interruption of your time thus far—while with the 216 Compliments of the Season you will please to tender my best Respects to your good Lady—Mr & Mrs Smith &c believing me / With Unequivocal Esteem / & Respect / Your Obedt & Obliged / Servant—

your Excellency will be pleased to observe that the provision that had been made By the City for to defray the Expenditure of the building did not comprehended any thing Beyond such movables as were of most immediate necessity for to Furnish & decorate the tow Grand Room’s ([viz] that of the Senat & that of the house of Representatives) and that it had been understood that any articles as Should besides be wanted for the Internal accommodation Should be provided for by the Congress themselves.

this being well known the clark of the House of representatives applied to me for severals articles similar to the above mentioned which I ordered into his office and the cost thereof was paid By that house on the account being delivered to them at the end of thier last session. the application made to me by Mr ottis was of a much 217 later date to that which I had received from the clark of the House of representatives and the circumstance of the account being paid by that house well known of him. upon what ground dose Mr ottis persist in is objection to W. Carter Bringing in his bill to him for those objects which he himself has directed the Execution of. I cannot conceive—and my desir to see justice done to a deserving work men Induces me to sollicite here your Excellency goodness in his behalf2

the motive will I hope plead in Excuse for the liberty I am taking in availing of the opportunity for subscribing my self / With great respect / your Excellency / most humble & most / obeident servent.