I was this morning favored with your obliging Letter of the 31 ult.— D’Ivernois is very industrious— I hear no more of his plan of transplanting the University of Geneva into the united States. He is a sensible diligent man, and I suspect that his Correspondence with Mr Gallatin has done no Harm—1

It gives me pleasure to find that in your opinion no great mischief will be done by the combustible Materials in Congress— If like Doctr. Youngs Squib, they only “burn hiss and bounce, waste paper, stink and dye” all will be well.2 The Tide has changed, and begins to run strong— I hope it will be observed and used, or as they say in Massachusets, improved.—

To be with my Family is a Comfort, and yet I have too much to do with public affairs to be comfortable— You can retire from the Senate to your Country Seat, and pass six months of otium cum Degnetate—3 We have both had busy Lives, and I apprehend that in the fluctuation of human affairs, I am not to expect to enjoy the Tranquility and Repose which all wish for, but which few find until they pass to that country where the weary rest from their Labours—and 445 where parties and Politics have no admittance. I suspect that young nations like young people are apt to burn their Fingers; and that we have yet much wisdom to learn, and to pay for— I think I see in this country the seeds of Trouble; and that our political machines will in more Senses than one get out of order— But be these things as they may, I believe it to be wise to do all the good we can, and to enjoy all the good we meet with—

That you may always meet with a liberal Share of it, is the wish of / Dear Sir / your affte. Friend & Servt

The Senate were pleased, on the 22d of December, to direct a statement to be laid before them of the military force actually employed against the Insurgents in the four Western Counties of Pennsylvania, and an account of the expenditures in that expedition.

I have now the honour to inform the Senate, that the expenditures were of various kinds, none of which, except merely for the pay of the militia, fall under the cognizance of the Secretary for the department of war: and that the dispersion of the militia to their homes before their pay could be delivered to them, has prevented complete settlements to this day; altho it is near a year since an Agent in each of the four states whence the militia was drawn, has been employed in paying & settling with them. Under these circumstances it is impossible to make the statement required. The supplies in the quarter master’s department and of provisions were furnished immediately by the department of the Treasury. Arrearages in all the parts of this service remain to be settled and paid.

I have the honour to be / with the highest respect / sir your most obt. servant