In due course of Post, I have been honoured with your favours of the 2d. & 16th. of March;1 since which I have been a good deal engaged, and pretty much from home.—

For the enclosure which accompanied the first, I thank you.—Mr Littlepage seems to have forgot what had been his situation,—What was due to you—and indeed what was necessary for his own character.—And his Guardian I think, seems to have forgot every thing.—

I coincide perfectly in sentiment with you, my dear Sir, that there are errors in our National Government which call for correction; loudly I will add; but I shall find my self happily mistaken if the remedies are at hand.—We are certainly in a delicate situation, but my fear is that the people are not yet sufficiently misled to retract from error!—To be plainer, I think there is more wick^ed^ness than ignorance, mixed with our councils.—Under this impression, I scarcely know what opinion to entertain of a general Convention.—That it is necessary to revise and amend the articles of Confederation, I entertain no doubt; but what may be the consequences of such an attempt, is doubtful: Yet, something must be done, or the fabrick must fall.—It certainly is tottering!—Ignorance & design are difficult to combat.—out of these proceed illiberality, improper jealousies, and a train of evils which oftentimes, in republican governments, must be sorely felt before they can be removed.—The former, that is ignorance, being a fit soil for the latter to work in, tools are employed to and by them which a generous mind would disdain to use, and which nothing but time, and their own puerile or wicked productions, can shew the inefficacy and dangerous tendency of.—I think often of our Situation, and view it with concern.—From the high ground on which we stood—from the plain path which invited our footsteps, to be so fallen!—so lost! is really mortifying.—But virtue, I fear, has, in a great degree, taken its departure from us ^our land^, and the want of disposition to do justice is the source of the national embarrassments; for under whatever guise or colouring are given to them, this, I apprehend, is the origin of the evils we now feel, & probably shall labour for some time yet. With respectful Complimts. to Mrs. Jay—and sentiments of sincere friendship—I am—Dear Sir, Yr. most Obedt. Hble. Servt.