Through a mistake of the coning I sent you a copy from a first impression, that was unheedingly handed me for another.

The excitement here was so great on hearing of the astonishing events of the 4th., that judgment was absolutely lost in feeling. This little thing had such an effect, that learned Lawyers read it to assembled groups without noticing its defect—nor till pointed out by others, was it noticed by them—the writer was pe[r]haps the highest excited, and when composer & compositor were simultaneously at work it is no great wonder that errours abounded—nor no great matter neither perhaps—for the multitude on whom it had a great effect—will [not] think its beauties diminished. They you know feel—without stopping for rules.

You will once more oblige me by directing this as [illegible] you to the last. May God Bless our beloved Country—yours most Respectfully

I am rather inclined to think these worthies went on the assigned day, by previous concert.

According to my Ideas it (if so) will in a future, and no distant day, consecrate their fame in an higher degree than is possible without such example—so Sublime & imposing—without reinstating1 the sublime virtues of antiquity so unhappily and wickedly derided as but Heathen Virtues by the new comers to power (who always heap opprobrium on what they have displaced) we never can arrive to the highest state of grandeur. It is indispensible, absolute so that they are again considered as the first of virtues.