I am to thank you for the book you were so good as to transmit me, as well as the letter covering it, and your felicitations on my present quiet.1 the difference of my present & past situation is such as to leave me nothing to regret but that my retirement has been postponed four years too long. the principles on which I calculate the value of life are entirely in favor of my present course. I return to farming with an ardour which I scarcely knew in my youth, and which has got the better entirely of my love of study. instead of writing 10. or 12. letters a day, which I have been in the habit of doing as a thing of course, I put off answering my letters now, farmer-like, till a rainy day, & then find it sometimes postponed by other necessary occupations.— the case of the Pays de Vaud is new to me. the claims of both parties are on grounds which I fancy we have taught the world to set little store by. the rights of one generation will scarcely be considered hereafter as depending on the paper transactions of another.— my countrymen are groaning under the insults of Gr. Britain. I hope some means will turn up of reconciling our faith & honour with peace: for I confess to you I have seen enough of one war never to wish to see another. with wishes of every degree of happiness to you both public & private, and with my best respects to mr̃s Adams, I am Dear Sir / your affectionate & humble servt.

Mr: Ebenezer Dorr, and Mr: Edward Jones, merchants, of this Town, by this Post send a petition to Congress for leave, to send a small vessel in ballast to some port in Europe. It is a matter of great importance to them, that they should obtain their request. Mr: Dorr has bills of exchange drawn in France in his favour upon some 277 person here, and they are protested. It becomes therefore of the utmost consequence to him, to give immediate notice to the drawers in Europe, and to take measures there to secure the property. Mr: Jones expects the arrival of a ship at Ostend, from India, with a very valuable cargo, which will require his presence there. Many other merchants are very desirous of an opportunity to write to their correspondents, and it seems obvious that the sudden and unexpected interruption of all communication to Europe, must leave the concerns of many of our merchants in such a situation, as will expose them to very material injury, unless they have some opportunity to give directions to their agents relative to their affairs.

Mr: Dorr and Mr: Jones will forward with their petition some documents to authenticate the facts upon which they are induced to make this application. It is upon the expectation that the Embargo will be continued beyond the term of its present limitation, that they make this request; they are both merchants of the most respectable character, and Mr: Dorr, I believe is personally known to you. It is important to them, that a decision upon their petition should be had as early and as speedy as possibly, and at their desire, I have written this statement, to you, soliciting your attention to the subject, and requesting that if their petition should come before the Senate, you would please to promote their object, as far as you shall think it just and reasonable.1

I am dear Sir, with unvarying respect and affection, your / Son