Least you should not have received the advice ⟨s⟩ooner from any other quarter, I have the honor to inclose to you ⟨a⟩ copy of a Circular from Mr Lear ⟨d⟩ated 1st: March announcing ⟨the⟩ very agreeable intelligence ⟨of⟩ an amicable settlement of ⟨the⟩ differences between the U. S & ⟨the⟩ Bey & Regency of Tunis. Since ⟨th⟩is affair has terminated as it has, it was fortu⟨na⟩te that I did not make public ⟨the⟩ Circular of Captn. Campbell, as mentioned in mine of the 22 Jany. ⟨Ha⟩d I made it public, it certainly ⟨w⟩ould have proved very injurious ⟨to⟩ our Commerce for a month ⟨or⟩ six weeks at least & prevented the many beneficial freights th⟨at⟩ our vessels have obtained.

I am happy to find by the Presidents message of the 19 feb⟨y⟩. that Burr’s expedition was at ⟨an⟩ end. Since his plans have thus terminat⟨ed⟩ I am glad the attempt was ma⟨de⟩ It would certainly tend to strengthen Government, did it want any ai⟨d,⟩ but it will at all events have the beneficial effect of convincing th⟨e⟩ world of the attachment of our Cou⟨n⟩trymen to the Constitution, Laws ⟨&⟩ Government of our Country. For when a Man of Mr. Burr’s talents⟨,⟩ intrigue, address & supposed Milita⟨ry⟩ Knowledge, with the advantages wh⟨ich⟩ his high public stations, might ⟨na⟩turally be supposed to give them, ⟨can⟩ only collect to-gether a hundred ⟨   ⟩ ignorant boys & young Men, in ⟨aid⟩ of his scheme, & there is the greatest ⟨pro⟩bability that even those would not have joined him had they been aware of his views, it mus⟨t⟩ afford the most undeniable ⟨evi⟩dence, of the stability of the Gove⟨rn⟩ment & the disposition of the people to defend it against the seditious projects of all persons whatever.

A report has prevailed here of an expedition of about 7,000 troops having sailed from Sicily, for what quarter is not Known, but Egypt is surmised.

By the Columbia I forwarded a packet from Mr Erving. With Entire Respect I have the honor to be Sir Yr. Mo: Ob: Servt.