The mail that carries this has a letter to the war department on the public concerns of this state. I am very sensible of the impropriety of addressing letters to you: but there are things which it is necessary for you to know, that cannot be communicated through the heads of departments. As no answer is expected to this, I hope the casting your eye over it will not add too much to the burden of public concerns with which you are oppressed.

I thank you for the attention you paid to the letter I wrote you since I have been at the head of this state.

This contest with great britian seems with us to be in a singular Situation. You have seen, no doubt, the many spirited resolutions contained in the gazettes on that subject. You observe that republicans and federalists apparently unite in support of your proclamation. This was very pleasing and very important: for such has been the course of the government here, that our Militia and our magistracy are almost intirely in the hands of men under the denomination of federalists. Some few of these are inveterate against your adminisn. and irreconcilable to a republican government. I imagined that it might be good policy to rob these of that support by which they are upheld in their confidence, by appointing moderate federalists to offices; this measure is necessary in order to prevent schisms among the republicans. There being not offices enough for them all, those who are disappointed become unfriendly. But the federalists have been rancorous and abusive, and the other party, now ruling, are apt to indulge resentment, not to say revenge. This, has an increasing effect to unite the federalists again in favour of great britian, and against their country. Their feelings and language is, and will of consequence be, why shall we fight to maintain a government which excludes us from every office and place? They are now coming forward in the federal gazettes excusing and Justifying the late English aggression, as well as using arguments of pretended policy to induce us to submit. The Judges of the general government, are uniformly, almost, among their leaders; those cannot be removed. The Judges of our supreme court, and our Judges and magistrates generally are united in favour of every claim of the english cabinet upon this country. Indeed there is now no doubt of a compact between an american party, who had once the mighty Hamilton at their head, and the Pitt & Hawksbury party in England to change our government. The desperate Burr appears to have been, at last, their miserable hope. This party comprehends but a small proportion of the men who are called federalists, but our bad policy is gaining that strength for them without which they would soon loose their importance. We have been wrong in one part of the adminisn. of our governments, which ought to be corrected.

Our governmental certificates under the solemnity of a public seal have become increditable to a proverb. It is not so in England only, but in france, and over the world. The reason is, that the Gentlemen of the heads of the governments issue blanks under the public seals, and leave them to be filled by secretaries, and their clerks. In our state they are sold in notaries offices. The detections of falshood have been frequent; and our honest Citizens have lost that protection to their persons and property, which those certificates ought to Afford them.

This is an evil difficult to remedy, but I mean to suggest the idea of the Presidents writing to the executive of each State, advising to a correction of the practise. When I was first in office, I found a number of those blanks on my table waiting for my signature; but I refused to sign a blank. the public seal was put into my hands by the people and I found no authority to deliver it over to the Secretary and his clerks, for their benefit, and for the benefit of the notary publicks. The council on the question being stated to them Justified my conduct.

I have the honour to remain with the greatest respect to you personally, your Most humble Servant