David R. Williams tenders his sincere acknowledgments to Mr Jefferson, for the reiterated instances of politeness offered him. On two former occations he was previously engaged; but not being so now, he is constrained to say, he cannot dine with him as President of the United States. A mind as much unfettered from prejudice as your’s, will learn the reason now offered, as an excuse for declining your invitation, without taking any portion of it, as a censure on your conduct; I protest it is not so ment.

The entertainments &c formerly given by Mr Adams, were always considered by me as decoys to the representatives in Congress, & altho’ I do not consider your’s as such, still I cannot partake of that now, which I reprobated then.   I flatter myself this candid declaration on my part, will not injure me in the estimation of the person whom, I value as the father of the reformations in our Government; & therefore hope, indeed I feel confident that, this peculiarity, call it any thing but a want of respect & esteem for you, will not deprive me, whenever occasions of business offer, of that urbanity which, is a pride to your friends, you shew to all.