I received Your kind Letter, began at Washington, and finished at Philadelphia.1 I received much pleasure from the perusal. the communications were of a nature to excite Sober reflections: I find your sentiments in perfect unison with my own; we have both of us been for a series of years so intimately connected with political affairs that we must have been very inattentive observers not to have Seen the motives which led to a Change in the administration, and the chance Some were determined to run, to effect that Change, this we know could not have been produced, if the Federal part of the community had been united, if they had not Sacrificed the interest of their Country to gratify their resentment; and ambition I have you well know; reason to say this of some of the Federal Leaders; to them, more than their opponents, is to be ascribed all that we have feard, all that we Shall be made to feel. the ax is already laid to the Root of the Tree; if it destroyd only those which brought forth bad fruit; we ought to rejoice, but when we see a Spirit of Party, deaf to all reasoning, all argument, determined with rooted malignity to destroy all that is good wise and just; merely to glut their resentment; what a hopefull prospect for the future? If we have nearly finishd our course. Still we cannot be unmindfull of the lot, and portion of those who are to succeed us. Must not the Patriot Say, verily we have labourd in vain, and spent our Strength for nought. the repeal of the late judiciary Law, (I take it for granted, it is decreed) is a measure so full of banefull concequences that like a Comet it will end I fear in the conflagration of the constitution touch not mine anointed, and do my judges no harm;2 ought to have sounded terror to the evil doers.

God grant that it may not be succeeded by an age of terror, of disorder and confusion— Peace and tranquility, are desirable objects in my Eyes the few remaining Days allotted me; tho I should live to three score years and ten, which from my frequent infirmities, I have little reason to expect; I have not a wish, not a desire the most distant, to be any other, than I now am; and tho some may suppose that I am like the fox in the fable who cryd out that the Grapes were sour; they must judge from their own Hearts; not from mine; I frequently felicitate myself, and my partner that we are released from the cares and responsibility of a situation, too cumberous, for to [be] Sustained with ease or tranquility; and which the inconstancy of the People, and the Ambition of Demagogues renderd everyday more Burdensome.—

I have written more freely to you than I should to many others. I have avoided writing a single Letter to Washington, except to Mrs Johnson in a domestic Line, and last week, I wrote one to mrs otis—4

If the outside frank should induce any one to scrutinize the within, thinking to collect the Sentiments of a statesman they shall be welcome to the Female benidictions they find. When I see you; we will more cordially exchange our thoughts.

With my Best respects to the judge, / I subscribe your Friend