I have been so long accustomed to regard all your opinions upon goverment with reverence, that I was disposed upon reading your last letter,1 to suspend my belief in republican Systems of political happiness; but a little reflection led me again to adopt them, and upon this single principle, that they have Never had a fair tryal. Let us try what the influence of general science & religion diffused in early life, will have upon our citizens. Let us try the effect of banishing the latin & greek languages from our country. They consume the flower of human life—and by enabling us to read agreeable histories of ancient crimes, Often lead us to imitate or to tollerate them. Hitherto the factions have been fewer, & less violent in America since the year 1776 than in many monarchies in the same number of years, under less irritating, and dividing circumstances. Passions which in Europe would have vented themselves in war, here discharged themselves only in newspaper scurrility, or in inflammatory resolves, or addresses.— One thing further, my profession has taught me, Viz: that political passions produce fewer diseases in a republic than in a monarchy.— Disappointed ambition in Sweden and in Italy has produced sudden death from colics, & apoplexies,— In america, it has scarcely of late years produced a single hypocondriac disorder. In time, I believe the effects of the political passions upon health & life will be still less perceptable in our country. I think likewise our republican form of government, has already softned the religious passions. we have less bigottry than formerly—and while there is no court, nor monarch, no mode of worship will be preferred from interested considerations. Do you not think it will be better to raise our people to a pure & free goverment by good education, than to sink to their present vulgar habits by accommadating a goverment to them? Much has been done already to enlighten our 29 citizens—but much more may be done.— What do you think of a federal University, & of English free Schools in every township in the United States?—2

I find we think more alike in your last letter upon a certain subject, than we did in your first.— I have a right to believe that the residence of congress in new York has always been an object of more importance in the eyes of many people, than the adoption or establishment of the federal Goverment.—

Many pious people wish the name of the supreme Being had been introduced Somewhere in the new constitution. Perhaps an acknowledgement may be made of his Goodness, or of his providence in the proposed amendments.— In all enterprizes, & parties, I believe the praying, are better Allies, than the fighting part of communities.—

I am Dear Sir with great regard / Your affectionate and / steady friend

I Returned yesterday from attending the Genl Assembly, the great matters on which the ins. & outs differ were bro’t on. we lost the Convention by 11 Votes. The Repeal of the Tender by 9. on the whole we gain a little. but our progress is so slow that we shall never arive at our wish’d for point except something like Mr Bensons motion in Congress, could be obtained.1 it was usual for us to adjorn ’till August, but no such motion was made. consiquently the Assembly will not meet ’till October (except calld by Warrant.) in August the Lower house are Re:chosen. we shall do our utmost to make a Change to our wishes, but have no great prospects. The oposition which consists of the Debtors, with the midling & Lower Classes of Farmers continue firm in their oposition. and I am afraid will so Continue Their Leaders keep up a Correspondence with some of the Antifederal Members of Congress by which they are encouraged to stand 30 out. our situation is Difficult & verry disagreable and what further steps to take we know not. wish for your advice & assistance. I think it was a great oversight in not putting the old Impost Bill in motion the first moment Congress was organized, in that case no time would have been lost, and every one would have been fully heard with patience.2

From the forme of the Address used by The House of Representatives of the U. States to the President, one would think that the House was composed of a Majority of Quakers, and should we have no occasion to Talk to any Bodys of Men in the old World, we might make out pretty well. but when the Respectable Republicks of America determin that no Title shall be affixed to their Head, it will be looked upon as a piece of Singularity & oddity. I hear President Manning is just arived shall call on him before I Close this as I dont mean to be troublesome by the frequency of my Letters.3 By him I learn that no plan seems to be agreed on, that on the whole we must be endur’d with that most Excellent Virtue Charity Patience; and let Time bring us to that period that shall deliver us out of the hands of unjust men.

Continue to be mindful of us, and Believe me to be with the greatest Esteeme Your Excellency’ Most Obedient Servant