Your favor of the 26 Sept.1 did not reach me until the 29 ulto, altho’ you mention that it was to have been dispatched in a packet of Doctor Franklin’s the subsequent Saturday. From your long silence I suspected that you had not yet returned from the journey mentioned in your former letter. I am glad to find that I was mistaken, and that you still continue mindful of your friend. It gives me pleasure to hear that your accounts are ready for settlement. The sooner that business is finished the better. Let there be no altercations about Peace. You know what I mean. It is better to suffer a little in point of property than in reputation. You have enemies, and some of them bitter. When you shall have acquainted2 yourself, it will then, perhaps, be proper to render it necessary for them to do the like. By no means omit preparing your case for publication as soon as it may be seasonable; let neither time, application, or expense be wanting to complete and make it perfect. I have seen the Freeman’s Journal. In times like these the Press will naturally be licentious. When government becomes more stable, and the laws again resume their full authority, writers and printers will find themselves sufficiently restrained; for tho’ indictments for libels will ever be odious and unpopular, private actions for slander and defamation will be viewed in a different light. When it may become necessary for me to repair to Paris is very uncertain. I think another campaign will precede serious negotiations for Peace. I congratulate you on our successes in Virginia and Carolina. They are very important; and among other good consequences to be expected from them, that of cementing and increasing our union with France will not be the least. If you had given me the character of Carmichael when at Congress, he never would have been with me. In all circumstances considered, it appears to me a little extraordinary that you who knew Carmichael should, notwithstanding, have been silent about his tricks; the fact, I imagine, was, that you was taken in by his fair but delusive appearances. For my part I was greatly mistaken about the man.3

Mrs. Jay presents her compliments to you. I am, Dear Sir, your friend and servant,