Doctr. Franklin sent me this morning your Letter of 11 Augt. last.1 I thank you for it. Aptitude to Change, in any Thing, never made ^a^ part of my Disposition, and I hope makes no part of my Character. In the Course of the present Troubles I have adhered to certain fixed Principles, & faithfully obeyed their Dictates, without regarding the Consequences of such conduct to my Friends, my Family or myself; all of whom, however dreadful the Thought, I have ever been ready to Sacrifice, if necessary, to the public Objects in Contest—

Believe me—my Heart has nevertheless been on more than one occasion, probably afflicted by the Execution of what I thought, and still think, was my Duty. I felt very sensibly for you, and for others; but as Society can regard only the political Propriety of Men’s conduct, and not the moral Propriety of their motives to it, I could only lament your unavoidably becoming classed with many, whose morality was convenience, and whose politicks changed with the aspect of public affairs.

My Regard for you, as a good old friend, continued notwithstanding [illegible]— God knows, that Inclination ^never^ had never any share in any Proceedings of mine against you: from such “Thorns no Man could expect to gather grapes” and the only Consolation that can grow in their [gloomy?] ^unkindly^ Shade, is a Consciousness of ^hav^ doing one’s Duty, and the Reflection that as, on the one Hand, I have uniformly preferred the public Weal to my Friends & Relations ^Connections^, so on the other I have never been urged by private Resentments to injure a single Individual.

Your Judgment, and consequently your Conscience differed from mine on a very important Question, but tho’, as an independent American, I considered all who were not for us, and You among the Rest, as against us, yet be assured that John Jay did not cease to be a Friend to Peter Van Schaack—

No one can serve two Masters. Either Britain was right & America was wrong; or America was right, and Britain wrong— They who thought Britain right were bound to support her, & America had a just Claim to the Services of those who approved her Cause. Hence it became our Duty to take one Side or the other, & no Man is to be blamed for preferring the one which his Reason ^tho erroneous^ recommended as the most just and virtuous—

Several of our Countrymen indeed left and took Arms against us, not from any such Principles, but from the most dishonorable of human Motives. Their Conduct has been of a Piece with their Inducements, for they have far outstripped Savages in Perfidy and Cruelty—against these Men every American must set his Face & steel his Heart. There are others of them, tho not many, who I verily believe opposed us because they thought they could not conscientiously go with us—[illegible] ^To such of these as have behaved with Humanity^ I wish them every Species of Prosperity that may consist with the Good of my country—

You see how naturally I slide into the Habit of writing as freely as I used to speake to you—ah my friend! if ever I see New York again, I expect to meet with “The Shade of many a departed Joy.” my Heart bleeds to think of it.

You mention my Brother—2 If after having made so much Bustle in and for America, he has (as is surmised) improperly made his Peace with Britain, I shall endeavour to forget that my Father had such a Son—3

How is your Health? where and how are your Children?4 Whenever, as a private Friend, it may be in my power to do good to either, tell me—while I have a Loaf, you and they may freely cut and come again ^partake of it^— Don’t let this Idea hurt you— If your circumstances are easy, I rejoice—if not—let me take off some of their rougher Edges—

Mrs. Jay is obliged by your Remembrance, and presents you her Compliments. The Health of us both is but delicate. our little Girl has been very ill, but is now well—my best wishes will always attend you, & be assured that no ^notwithstanding any^ political Changes, [illegible] I remain Dear Peter your afft. Friend & Servt.