Accept my thanks for the Letter you did me the Honor to write on the 4th. Septr. last, and for your obliging Interposition in Behalf of the Person alluded to in it.1

Your Lordship’s Conjectures respecting the new principles in Regard to Trade and Finance, will probably be realized. We hear of several Circumstances which look and promise well. The Extent of those Principles, and the System of commerce to be reared on them, are Subjects on which no decided Judgment can here be formed, for want of Information more minute & unquestionable than we at present have.

Various my Lord! are the conjectures of this country respecting the real Disposition and Intentions of yours, on these and some other interesting Points. While such Doubts and apprehensions exist, a Degree of Jealousy will naturally continue to operate against mutual confidence.2 For my part I sincerely wish to see good Humour prepare the way for friendly Intercourse, and by Degrees incline both countries rather to promote than retard each others welfare. It gives me Pleasure to reflect that our wishes on this Head correspond,3 and that the Time may yet come when your abilities and Liberality4 will produce all the public Benefits that may justly be expected from them.

Mr Pitt’s views as to America are yet to be ascertained— I wish they may be such as to increase the Reputation and affection which his Father’s Memory enjoys among us. It strikes me that a minister of any Country much connected with this, will always find advantage in possessing the Esteem & confidence of America. To what Events this Country may in future be instrumental, is indeed uncertain; but I cannot persuade myself that Providence has created such a nation, in such a Country, to remain like Dust in the Ballance of others.

We are happy my Lord! in the Enjoyment of much more interiour Tranquillity, than the English news Papers allow, or their writers seem to wish us. In free States there must and ought to be a little Ferment. When the public mind grows languid, and a dead calm, unmarked by the least Breese of Party, takes Place, the Vigour of a Republic soon becomes lost in general Relaxation— we perhaps are yet too distant from that Point; for altho’5 our Laws & Manners give us as much personal Security, as can elsewhere be found; and altho the same may in a great tho’ less Degree be said of our Property, yet our fœderal Government has Imperfections, which Time & more Experience will I hope effectually remedy.— I have the Honor to be my Lord with great Respect and Esteem Your Lordship’s most obedient & very h’ble Servant