The manner in which you have noticed my letter to General Pinckney, at its first publication, and recently in your letter of the 27th ult.1 has given me the truest satisfaction; while the reproaches of the whole body of democrats, of French Devotees, excite no other sensation than that of regret for the mischief their lies and misrepresentations produce thro’ the country. I am well informed that in Virginia, great pains have been taken to make the people believe, “that my letter to Genl. Pinckney is one tissue of misrepresentation and falsehood.” Mr. Edward Livingston, by his spee[ch] in the House of Representatives, doubtless intended [to] confirm and extend the belief of that base assertion, by the manner in which he spoke of my statement of the convention of the armed neutrality.2 I understood that Mr. Harper replied satisfactorily to Mr. Livingston, but I do not recollect seeing his arguments in the case. I confess the 9th article of the convention of the armed neutrality is singularly constructed; the latter clause in it importing the permanency of that agreement; but inconsistently with the first clause, which clearly declares its being entered into for the war then existing, and that it was to serve as a basis to future engagements. This, connected with the history of the armed neutrality, especially of the measures of the king of Sweden for the express purpose of rendering the principles then adopted, permanent rules, by the agreement of all the maritime powers, at the conclusion of the war, satisfied me that the convention was in reality temporary, and designed to continue only during that war. And thus I stated it in my letter. If the statement is erroneous it is more than I know; and I am sure that neither you nor any gentleman who know me will think the error was designed. I should however be extremely obliged, if you can find leisure to examine the question, by your favouring me with your opinion, and glancing at the facts and reasons on which you found it. I am, with great sincerity your respectful & obt. servt.