Your friendly Letter1 has long remained unanswered, but a Variety of private as well as public affairs constrained me to postpone indulging myself in the Pleasure I always derive from writing to my Friends. The Recess (if I may so call it) of Congress gives their officers too much Liesure at present; and there is Reason to fear that the Members will be as long in convening this Year, as they were the last.2 Business is at a Stand for want of an adequate Representation. The Languor of the States is to be lamented—many Inconveniences have already arisen from it, and if continued, serious Evils will awaken our People. our affairs my dear Sir! are in a delicate Situation, and it is much to be wished that the real Patriots throughout the States would exert themselves to render it more safe and respectable. The Feuds in Massachusetts are rather suspended than extinguished—3 what Events they may produce is uncertain, but I should not be surprized if much Trouble was to result from them. The public Creditors will soon become importunate, and Congress cannot create the means of satisfying them. It is true that order usually succeeds Confusion—but it is a high price to pay for order; especially when a little virtue and good Sense would procure it for us on very reasonable Terms. If the best Men could be prevailed upon to come forward and take the Lead in our Legislatures as well as in Congress, and would unite their Endeavours to rescue their Country from its present Condition, our affairs both at Home & abroad, would soon wear a more pleasing aspect. It is Time for our people to distinguish more accurately than they seem to do, between Liberty and Licenciousness. The late Revolution would lose much of its Glory as well as Utility, if our Conduct should confirm the Tory Maxim, that “Men are incapable of governing themselves”—

We have advices that our Negociations at Morocco have terminated in a Treaty, but no official accounts of it have yet arrived either from Mr Adams or Mr Jefferson. This Treaty however will not be very important, while the other piratical States continue hostile; and that will probably be the Case, while our Treasury continues in its present State.4

I regret that you & Mrs Reade will be disappointed in your Expectations of seeing Mr VHorne & Miss Cornelia.5 The Indisposition of Mrs. VHorne prevents their leaving her—She is feeble and declines, but whether from Disease or natural Decay, appears to me to be doubtful.

Your Brother6 is so obliging as to take Charge of this Letter. He embarks at a boisterous Season, but as we have lately had two severe Storms, there is Reason to hope for an Interval of pleasant weather. I was much pleased with your Friend Mr Drayton,7 and should have been more so, if he had been less in a Hurry to leave us—be pleased to make my Compliments to him, and to present Mrs Jays & my best wishes to Mrs. Reade. With real Esteem & Regard I am Dear Sir your most obt. & very hble Servt