Among the many Congratulations that will be presented to you, on your being elected to the high & important Office of President of the United States, permit me to present mine— I pray you not to accept them as offered to the Shrine of Power only, but as proceeding from the Heart of Friendship & the Soul of unfeigned regards—

While our Country shall thus express their Gratitude to, and Confidence in, their able & tried Citizens; The People will be blessed.

On this Eventful Occasion I feel as a Citizen—and I feel as a Friend of many—many—years—in which Light I will hope to appear to you the few days left us to act on this Stage— Uninterrupted Friendship of nearly half a century, is not common—shall I add—not to be shaken—

Having, during the late Election, been in the hearing of the roaring of the Virginia Maelstroome, I observed, with infinite pleasure, that they did not, because they could not, produce, from their furnace of Anarchy, one Objection to your Character— A sullen Murmur was heard from the Masonic Family—which was soon traced—proved a Lie—and retracted—

The ill Use made of your Defence &c, You must have seen in the Public Papers— You may remember that I prophecied that this work would become the political Bible of France—which has, in a considerable degree, been verified— I should not wonder to find it become so to the Men who have thus wantonly—and knowingly abused it— Some of them, already, acknowledge that they only had a point in View—but no real objection to the general Principles in the Book.

I was, this day, informed that some zealous Friends of Mr Jefferson say— They have good authority to assert—that He has declared his approbation of the Issue of the late Election—that he has, in the warmest terms, expressed a high sense of the Abilities—Integrity, and Firmness—of the President Elect, adding that he has the utmost confidence of your being a true Friend to our Constitution—and that under your Administration it will be inviolably maintained—

From whatever motive these assertions may have been made, it may be of Service for his Friends & Partizans to believe them—and not amiss that you should know them— They say that Mr Jefferson will act as Vice-President—

As the greatest Aid in my power, altho’ my best Services are at your Command, I will pray that you may have that Assistance from 533 Above, which will render the Burdens of Government light—and your exertions successful—that the Blessings of a grateful People may follow You through Life and the Rewards of The Faithful await You at the solemn Scene of closing it—

I am—with the warmest / Attachment on every Principle / Dear Sir Your sincere Friend / And most hble Servant

I received this morning with great pleasure your friendly Letter of the 16. and thank you for your kind congratulations on an Event which Seems determined in the public opinion, tho not yet legally ascertained

I have lost by the course of years So many of my Friends and So many others in their old Age, have become weathercocks that the Sight or correspondence of a few who have proved invariable, is delightfull to me beyond all Expression

I have Seen very little of the trash that was circulated in hand Bills in the late Election, although I am told large quantities of them were Sent in every direction, at a great Expence, of some party or some Power

The Use made of my Defence gave me no pain. The more they write and the more they lie, about those Volumes, the more good they do. They have caused them to be read in the last Six months, by more Persons than would have read them in an hundred years. It is very difficult to Stimulate People to read Such Writings: but Faction has accomplished what Curiosity would never have effected. I have been three times tried for those Books by the People of America and as often acquitted.1 and hope if I should ever see another Election to be tried again. if the French Gentlemen of the best Intelligence, in this place are not much deceived, those Principles will be adopted in France more exactly than ever, very Soon. They Say the Directory will be reduced to one. Those Books have already got the better of Franklins dreams and have raised France out of the vilest Anarchy and dirtiest Sansculottory, to Some degree of order and Safety of Life and Property. I wish they could excite in the Government a better Sense of Justice and Decency towards this Country. 534 Our Antifeds have had Emissaries of their own kidney at Paris, who have made the French believe that this Country was so devoted to France as to force its Government to do as she would have them, as soon as she should shew her Resentment. We shall see of what Stuff American Souls are made.

If any Share in the direction of our Executive should fall to me, I shall Stand in need of all the Aid my friends can give me. My Dependance will be upon the Sense, Spirit and Resources of the People under an humble hope of the divine Blessing.

I shall always be happy to hear of your Welfare, and always gratefull for any Assistance you may afford me. I am, with sincere / affection your Friend