I give You Joy of the Season; and I sincerely congratulate You and Our dear Country in the support of Government and the Plans that have been pursuing for the Honor and political Œconomy of it;— witnessed by the late Election, not only of the President and Vice President; but of the Representatives and Senators of Congress. A few Persons may make the Presses groan and sweat,—may disperse much scandal, and make an Appearance of almost general discontent.— If there was for a Time even in New England too much silence, and the Appearance of Ingratitude— It was a silence of Contempt.

That Rivalship You early foresaw; and the Burst which threatend, have indeed been conspicuous. But they were Bubles burst,—and have evidenced the folly as well as the baseness and turpitude of the malitious Minds which blew them.— The Noise and the sound thereof have passed away;— They are despised, and but for the punishment of the Authors should be forgotten.

We have tried Our Pumps.— The Ship is tight and trim.— Her second Suit of Sails and Rigging of the same good kind of American Fœderal Materials are set;— She is under Way, and looks up well.— She has the Cheers of Her Owners, and the World for Her Admirers—

The funding System,—however it might rub and scratch at first wearing, grows more easy,—more popular every day.— As 157 Temptations to fraud and Vice Subside, as the Means to Industry and Virtue are provided, and as safety to the Rights and Property of the Citizens are perceived and enjoyed;—Murmurs and Clamour will find but a few turbulent, disconcerted, malitious envious Souls to nourish them; and they will die in their own rancorous Bosoms.

I have been guilty of a want of Duty; as I have been in your Debt ever since the Receipt of Yours of the 3d. of March last. I was in hopes Your Return from Congress would have been thro’ the Sound. I did promise myself after being disappointed of this, a Journey to Boston, and to have seen you there, or at your Seat,—but by various Incidents I was prevented.— Well Mrs Adams will certainly come on this Time thro’ Rhode Island— But I found your Journey put off till late,—till a Passage by Water might have been rather disagreable. I then concluded I would not write however till I could say Rhode Island was grateful,—New England truly fœderal,—And (as I ever had faith to beleive) America stedfast to Her first principles, Her first and surest Friends and Patriots.—

From the political Principles of the two first of Our Electors,— Hopes were conceived by the Opposition, especially at New York, that We should be equally divided—1 A few of Us at Newport considered, whether it was safest to oppose the two first who we knew would be Candidates, and thereby if unsuccessful fasten them against Us, or win thereby giving Way to their Wishes.— Fully convinced that my Old Friend Col. Geo: Champlin of this Town, would be appointed,—I was persuaded from the Esteem He is held in by all Parties, and from His Manner and Address, that He would be able to turn the doubting or hessitating Minds, if there should be such in the Appointment.— Against some Opinions it was agreed to have no Opposition, to their Appointment, if none was made, as We were confident there would not be, to Col. Champlin and Govr Greene.— You must recollect Him as Govr. of this State for years during the War.— With Col. Champlin I waded thro’ Our political Troubles from 1784 till Our Adoption of the present Constitution, and He still continues a most industrious patriotick Member of Our Genl. Assembly—A Merchant of established Character,—No Man more independant and disinterested, And One We mean sooner or later to persuade to Congress.2

All Things turned out to Our Wishes.— We since learn from New York, that they had the fullest Expectations, at least of two of Our Electors.— New England has given a deadly, and I think mortal Blow Stroke to the present Junto.— Let Us continue Wise, firm, vigilant 158 and Virtuous.— And “commune together,[”] I say my Friend.— The People will not suffer You,—“to retire to Obscurity.”—3

I am / most affectionately / and sincerely, / Your Friend & Servt.

J’airecu la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire, Le 8 du mois dernier, en réponse à la mienne du mois Précédent.1 Les objets dont je m’occupe, Sont liés à L’intéret public, et n’en Seront que plus dignes de fixer votre attention. J’espere me rendre à Philadelphie, La Semaine prochaine. Ma premiere affaire Sera de Vous présenter mon respect, aussitot que j’y serai arrivé. Ensuite, je Vous demanderai vos bontés; Si les travaux que j’ai faits ici, Vous Paroissent favorables à votre pays: c’est le jugement, qu’en ont porté les personnes, que j’ai consultées a new-york, et aux quelles je suis redevable des avis, sur les quels je me suis dirigé. On m’a assuré que les principes, que j’invoque, et qui sont ceux de L’Europe, sont également ceux des principaux membres des états unis, et qu’il ne leur a manqué que l’occasion de Les appliquer.

L’essay Sur le droit canon et le droit féodal, dont vous Parlez avec La modestie qui vous est naturelle, a été imprimé en 1784. J’en ai vu un exemplaire, qui avoit ete donné a Adennet; et j’ai pensé que c’etoit à vous qu’il en etoit redevable mais, actuellement je crois me rappeller qu’il le dut à Mr Abeil secrétaire du commerce, ou au Pere de Mr. Genet.2 cet ouvrage, Monsieur, quoiqui écrit en 1765, posoit déja les principes, qui seroient le fondement de Votre liberté; et qui l’eussent été aussi de la notre; Si la france avoit eu des Génies tutélaires; mais, elle manquoit de cet avantage, qui seul a fait les 159 succés de votre Patrie. Dès 1789, je répétois sans cesse à Mr de Gouvion3 et à M Bailly, qu’il étoit impossible de dire où notre révolution s’arréteroit; parce que personne n’en etoit L’Ame: on y savoit mettre La multitude en mouvement: elle détruit et ne rebati point. mais, ce sujet, si je m’y abandonnois, me meneroit trop loin. Je le quitte.

Je Suis avec Respect / Monsieur / Votre tres humble / et tres obeissant Serviteur