I am sorry to inform you that since I had the honor to write you last no offer, within my Knowlege, has been made for Mrs. Keppele’s house, tho a bill was set up on it at an early day. I presume your Son has duly communicated this to you before.

You will see by our public prints that Pennsylvania has commenced openly its electioneering movements. Two meetings have been held in the Hall, wherein you sat in the Congress of 1776.1 The citizens filled it to an inconvenient degree in so warm a season. At the first meeting the Mayor of Philada (Matthew Clarkson Esquire) was in the chair. The debates were very animated. Mr. Lewis (a gentleman of the law late district Judge of the U.S & Attorney of the U.S.) took the lead on the affirmative side of an appointment of persons to meet the conferrers of the Counties at Lancaster for the purpose of agreeing on electors of the Chief Magistrates and on representatives in the third Congress. Mr. Dallas, the Governors Secretary, took the lead the other way. Mr. Bingham & some others spoke briefly—They were chiefly on the side of the measure, which was desired by the friends of the general Goverment. This measure was so far carried that a committe, of one person from the twelve wards of the 134 City, was appointed, and a Majority were men of discretion & suitable for the service of selecting from the City five persons out of whom the Town might chuse two to attend the Conference at Lancaster. On their appointment they retired and brought in five names among whom were Mr. Lewis & other suitable persons. The consideration of these persons, and what & whether any particular instructions should be given to them was postponed ’till an adjourned meeting on Friday Evening. Tho every thing had taken a course, which was satisfactory, there was considerable force—and warmth in the manner of the speakers & in short such appearances of increasing Heat, that the Mayor is said to have absented himself from the Friday’s meeting to avoid the Chair. Mr. Powel, who is Speaker of the State Senate & represents the city in that Body, was placed in the chair. The gentlemen, who are considered as in the system of state Politics, of whom Mr. Dallas was the principal and ardent Spokesman, came prepared for two efforts it is said: one to reject the plan of a conference—the other to introduce other names, if that plan should still be adopted. It is said that Mr. Dallas declaimed much about city & country, rich & poor, the aristocracy—&ca. After a great deal of discussion among a very few persons, principally Mr. Lewis, Mr. Wilson & Mr. Dallas the question of nominating conferees was tried again & decided by the Chairman in the Affirmative. This produced a pointed address to the Chair, which turned upon his partiality in declaring the sense of the Meeting to have been expressed in favor of a conference, when it was said by the speaker (Col. Thos. Forrest) to be manifestly against it. After some discussion the Chairman retired from his Station. The Moment was confused. I am not acquainted with the particulars, but the issue was, that one of the Alderman, lately the Mayor of the City ( John Barclay Esqr.) was placed in the Chair— The meeting became warm, and somewhat disordered—and rose without adjourning to any other time at Eleven in the Evening. The plan of the conference is at least suspended—and things are in a train unpromising to the cause of the Government. Another meeting is notified as intended on Monday Evening— I am sorry to remind you of my prognostics of the Course of things on the occasion of the ensuing Elections in this State. I hope however that some good use will be made of the Events of last week and that the friends of the general government, of Pennsylvania, and of this happy people will be roused to the great exertions, which are manifestly necessary to protect them from the miseries and crimes which ever flow from public disorder.

I wish, Sir, that this state of our affairs, so far only as your source of information, may be confidential, as I have moved, and shall continue to move by every prudent and honest method in the promotion of a good course of things; and I do not wish to appear any where, more than is necessary. The election of Representatives will take place the second Tuesday in October, that for the Chief Magistracy on the same day, I think, in Novemr. There is therefore sufficient time for prudent, & judicious measures to be adopted, if there be a force willing to carry them.—2

I beg you to do me the Honor of presenting, with my most respectful Comps. to Mrs. Adams, the enclosed papers on the subject of the Silk worm. The little treatise, following the eighth page, is written by one of her own sex, and on the score of perspicuity, utility and public feeling reflects honor upon the worthy woman.3 Mrs. Coxe, being in the country with four of our flock, cannot have the Honor to join her respects to mine.—4

It will give you pleasure, sir, to learn that our Revenues present a satisfactory appearance. The returns of spirits distilled in the U.S & of Stills for the year following the commencement of the act (tho incomplete) exhibit a Revenue of very near 300,000 Drs. and the foreign Spirits will probably prove more than three times that Sum—5

With Sentiments of unfeigned & the highest Respect, I have the Honor to be, / Sir / your most obedt. & most h. Servt.

I have this moment received your kind Letter of the 15th. and congratulate you on your Arrival in New England.1

If you will do me the Honour to take a Family Dinner with me on Sunday at Two o Clock you will very much oblige your old Friend and faithful humble Servant

I have been duly favoured with your letter of the 4th Instant.1 A warrant for 1000 dollars in your favour has issued. If any authorisation from you had been sent to your son or any one else, your signature on the warrant would have been unnecessary. But as it is, it will be indispensable. Perhaps however the Treasurer may pay in expectation of it.

The Question when the Vice President entered upon the duties of his office, is open at the Treaury; though an opinion has obtained that the taking of the Oath was the Criterion.

This has been founded on two considerations—analogy to the care of the President. The Constitution requires that he shall take an oath, before he enters upon the execution of his Office he cannot enter upon the duties of it, without entering upon the execution of it, and he can’t legally do the latter till he has taken the oath prescribed. The same injunction however is not laid upon the Vice President, and therefore except by analogy resort must be had to the second consideration namely that the taking of the Oath of Office is 137 the legal act of aceptance and may be supposed to date the Commencment of service.

But this reasoning it must be confessed is not conclusive and therefore the opinion of the Attorney General will be taken, both as to the President & Vice President—and I presume will guide in the Adjustment.

Twenty thousand dollars have been appropriated and the advances by anticipation may reach that limit.

You forgot that Mr Clinton could feast upon what would starve another— He will not however have an opportunity of making the experiment. And I hope the starvation policy will not long continue fashionable.

Your confirmation of the good disposition of New England is a source of satisfaction, I have a letter from a well informed friend in Virginia who says all the persons I converse with, acknowlege that the people are prosperous happy, and yet more of them, including even the friends of the Govt. appear to be much alarmed at a supposed sytem of policy, tending to subvert the Republican Govt of the Country—2 were ever Men more ingenious to torment themselves with phantoms?

Adieu my dear Sir & beleive me always very / Respectfully & Affectionately yr Obed sert