It is with diffidence that I have presumed to send you the enclosed Circular. Your leisure is doubtless often interrupted by applications for the aids to be derivd from your tallents and enlarged experience. The importance of the subject1 must plead my apology. Accustomed as we are to look up to you as one of the Fathers of the people, and as the great benefactor of our common Country, we shall be proud to have your countenence in this important undertakeing: the sanction of your name will have weight with the people of Kentucky; they will attend to your suggestions as to the counsels of wisdom

Allow me Sir to use this occasion to say to you what I am prompted to do by my own feelings. It was my happiness to be born in Virginia after our country was free. I read in its history the distinguished part you acted in the memorable struggle by which that freedom was won; it was thus in early life, as I was taught to love my country, that I imbibed with the spirit of patriotism, a sentiment of profound regard for one whoes fame is identified with his countrys glory. In all the great events that have marked our political history the happy influence of your virtue & tallents are perceived. But the period of the greatist interest to me was that of ’98 & 1800. At that time I had groun up sufficiently to be enabled to understand something of the nature of our government, and the propriety2 of the conduct of those who administered its concerns. The part you then took in checking the mad carreer of aspireing ambition, and in vindicateing the rights of the people, against the encroachments of power, was not less distinguished in my humble opinion, than your conduct in the period of the Revolution. In the latter era the virtuous and enlightened Statesman preserved that liberty & independance which in the former had been atchieeved by patriotism & valour at the expense of so much blood & treasure. Yes Sir the republican principles3 that placed you at the head of the American government, and which continueed throughout your whole administration, will ever be hailed with joy by the friends of freedom; They will serve4 as a cloud by day & a pillar of fire by night, to guide this nation in time to come to the high destanies that await it. Conscious of the great debt of gratitude that the people of the United States owe you for your distinguished public services; and fired as my5 soul is with an inextinguishable flame of gratitude, I cannot suppress the generous impulse that prompts me, in this my first address to you & perhaps the only one that I shall ever have the pleasure of makeing, to express my admiration of your character, and the sincere wish I have for your happiness & prosperity. I am dear Sir what every lover of freedom would be proud to acknowledge with sentiments of profound respect