I recd your letter with the correspondence of Gennet for wch am much obliged to you but being put into the post it cost 19s which the captains often do as soon as they come to Land1

how mine was delayed know not beleive it was by a private hand.2

The communication by letters is exceeding dangerous the habeas corpus bill being suspended, wch gives power equal to lettres de cachet & it is used not only to prevent correspondence but to examine all letters.3

it was the remarks on paine wch stockdale had the impudence to publish in your name—but no body beleived it— the same man had the assurance to repeat through 3 Edits of the life of Paine that I was instrumental to the publishing the rights of man presiding over a committee of Democrates in this house whereas I never saw the book till it was printed nor was there ever a committee of democrates in this house nor did I ever preside at any one any where else but it was done on purpose to mark a simple individual & it has had its effect.

if I called your performance a book it was not in contempt of it but in honor for remember Thucidides called a book an inheritance

in your work you have proved your point that for want of a Balance former republicks have died away but it was not for want of finding that Balance but not knowing how to preserve that Balane when found & in practice & therefore it has never been effected whither it is not better to build on a broader basis & not like a china Jarr admired at a distance but fall to peices when Touched

I esteem your work greatly & it introduces a new branch of Litterature much neglected & unknown in so much I wish you would complet it as much as you can by continuing your collection of Italian states.

know then dear sir I have begun a series of that kind but want your presence & aid to encourge & assist me without any animosity to the man who is very ignorant & impudent & is not to be depended on I fear your labors would suffer greatly as he will consult nothing but his own interest & that at any rate— the situation of this country is truly deplorabe & prevents for the present other attentions

I had wrote a long letter on French affairs but prudene prevents sending it you could have given me your opinion freely but I cannot tho we think very differently!!!

should be glad to see your dialogue but why bring in Louis— France will neither be sluiced out nor partitiond by the combined power nor call out for the restoration of the old monarchy but—

Mr Jay & Mr Trumbull gave me the pleasure of their company this day am highly pleased with the republican Simplicity & good sence of yr minister & have no doubt he will maintain the dignity of his republick & presenting its rights & liberties— will secure an Asylum to the virtuous & distrest where the long hands of Tyrants cannot reach

I have inclosed a few pamphlets4 & with them send my best wishes for the health & happiness to you & Mrs Adams & desire you to beleive I am Dear sir / Sincerely & affectionately yours

I have the pleasure to forward to the care of your Son in Boston. a packet which I presume comes from your friend Mr. Hollis—1 neither Lord Wycombe nor Mr. B. Vaughan are in Town. but your Letters I have been careful to forward.

The Campaign by Sea as well as by Land is thus far severe & bloody—in the Naval Engagement the French Suffer’d a severe loss, which they consider as compensated in a great degree by the safe arrival of the convoy from the Chesapeak.— Towards Spain & Italy their Armies are Victorious.— on the Rhine they have lost ground.— 295 in Flanders where the great Effort is made, they have gaind more than they have lost.— & Ypres if taken as it is universally beleivd to be. gives them the command of all maritime Flanders.— on the Whole they appear to be in a condition (so long as their present internal union & energy continue) to overpowr all external opposition.—

their Government approaches daily nearer to a dictatorship in One person instead of in commission. as it has been in fact for some time:— Danton &c &c are gone. and all competitors appear to sink before the mighty popularity & power of Robespierre— how long he can retain these, or avoid the Guillotine & the Dagger we know not.

Poland is making a much firmer struggle against her Oppressors, than her best friends could have expected.— it is suppos’d that the Turk will side with her against Russia in which case She has some distant chance of success.— in the mean time it occasions a most important diversion in favr. of France by calling off entirely the King of Prussia.2

In this country, the language of the mercantile & manufacturing interests are favorable to peace with us. how far their wishes will influence the conduct of the Government, a little more time will Shew.— we at least may found some hopes of peace. upon the combination of internal & external motives which equally appear to press in our favor.

You will excuse this line—& believe me to be / with much Respect / sir / Your Oblig’d. & real friend & servant