I received duly your letter of Sep: 11. and with it a copy of your valuable Vocabulaire de marine for which I pray you to receive my particular thanks. I recall with pleasure the transient gratification I had in your company here, and am happy that the short stay you made among us has impressed you favorably for our country. we are a peaceable people, and have sacrificed much to remain at peace with all the belligerents of Europe. but the hope of longer preserving that attitude seems almost desperate. it will be a very happy circumstance if a just estimate of the interest which all nations derive from a state of peace should yet prevail for the preservation of ours. but whatever be the condition which is to prevail between nation & nation, the courtesies of life will still be cherished between Individuals, & will preserve to yourself my best wishes for your happiness, & the assurances of my great esteem and respect.