Accept my thanks my Lord! for the Paper you was so obliging as to communicate in your Letter of to Day.1 it is returned herewith enclosed. I have been anxious to learn the Manner of Mr. Munro’s Introduction, and the circumstances which attended his Reception. I find some Things to regret— none that occasion Surprize. Indeed, I have been so long conversant with Men, and human affairs, that few occurrences surprize me.

Had I been in Mr. Randolph’s place, I should not have written exactly such a Letter. Strictures unnecessarily offensive, might have been avoided— good and sincere wishes for the Establishment of a Government founded on rational Liberty; might have been added; and every Inference of approbation or Disapprobation relative to the Principles and Conduct of the Revolution might easily have been obviated.

Mr. Randolph doubtless participated in the general Irritation of his Country, and permitted his Feelings to have, in my opinion, an undue Influence on his Pen; for there certainly is a Distinction between the Proprieties of official, and of personal or private Correspondence.2

Some allowances are always to be made for human nature— It is more easy and pleasant to give oneself to the Stream, than to oppose it. Characters exceedingly firm, and self possessed, and estimable; and characters exceedingly otherwise, are rare. The great mass of mankind are placed between these Extremes— some nearer to the one Extremity—some to the other. We must take men and Things as they are; and act accordingly. This I know is moralizing more than may become a Letter from me to your Lordship, but I constantly feel myself so much at my Ease in speaking or writing to those in whom I have confidence, that I am apt on such occasions to think loud.

If it was not vain to look back, I could trace all these Effects to their causes, and mark the Mistakes which Britain & America have committed relative to each other; for as the falling of little Sparks often causes great Conflagrations, so little Errors usually generate greater, and those, greater still— but cui bono?3 what is passed, is passed— the future is a field in which good cultivation may keep down weeds and reap a Harvest according to the Seed sown— that as we sow, so we shall reap, is as true in politics as it is in Religion. The Seed of [illegible] of Thorns and Nettles will not produce Grapes and Figs.4 Even of good Seed, there must be a quantum, if the Field be only half seeded, too much Room will be left for Weeds to shoot, and for such Tares to take Root as Mischief may incline to cast into it.

Let us go on, my Lord! and having done all that dispassionate Reason may indicate as wise and prudent, leave the Issue to Providence— modern Philosophers may say what they please, God does and will govern the World.

All that we have to do is, to do our Duty—that is, to do what is right and prudent— It is an obvious Rule of Prudence never, with one’s Eyes open, to walk into a Snare spread for our Feet. It is natural for France to produce, if possible, a War between our two Countries— To avoid it, will require management— I might have been more particular on this point than I have been, but was affraid to urge Considerations that might be misinterpreted— the more I become acquainted with your Lordship, the more these apprehensions subside.

on reading over this Letter I think it a singular ^one^ to send to you; and yet I will send it, and rely on the opinions which excited the Esteem and Regard with which I have the Honor to be my Lord your Lordship’s most obedt. and most h’ble Servant