I read your kind and affectionate Letter of the 31 July1 last with great Satisfaction and Sensibility, and I thank you for it. It is pleasing to see Friendship like an Evergreen, bid Defiance to the vicissitude of Seasons.—

The opposition to which you allude, except as to its Degree of malignity, was not unexpected. When the mission to England was pressed upon me, it was percieved that there were Parties who would endeavour to wound the Government through the Sides of the Envoy; and either depreciate his Success, or censure his want of it.

It had long been obvious that negociations relative to the Posts, would unavoidably extend to the Complaints of Great Britain relative to the Debts; and that every Idea of paying them, would be offensive to the Southern States.

The attempts of the French to plunge us into the war, were well known; and it was equally plain that they would not cease to be hostile to an amicable settlement of our Differences with Great Britain.

The Constitution still continued to be a Rock of offence to the antifœderalists, and the funding System, by affording Support to the Government, had become exceedingly obnoxious to that Party— It was evident then

That a Treaty with Great Britain, by preventing War, would disappoint the Southern Debtors of the Reciepts in full, with which they flattered themselves from a War—

That it would displease the French—by less[en]ing our supposed Dependence on them for Protection against Great Britain—by diminishing their Influence in our Councils—and by making us Friends with their Enemies—

That it would discontent the antifœderalists—by disarming them of their affected complaints against the Government on account of the Posts, and Commerce &ca. and by giving additional Strength to the administration— &c. &ca.—

Hence there was Reason to apprehend that a Treaty with Great Britain would become a Signal to the antifœderalists, the Debtors and the French, to unite their Efforts to prevent its taking Effect—and to embarrass its Execution ^if ratified^— and to conduct their opposition in the manner most injurious to the Constitution, and to the Administration, and to all the men who are attached or give Support to either— That with the Parties would naturally be associated the Jacobin Philosophers, the disorganizing Politicians, and the Malcontents of various Descriptions. Together with the many who have little to lose and much to covet; and those who regard war as speculation, and prefer Spoil and Plunder to patient Industry and honest Gains. To these also may be added, the numerous Herd of those who blindly follow their Leaders; who judge without understanding, who believe without Evidence, and who are to their Demagogues, what some other animals are to their Riders—

On the other Hand—the highest Confidence was reposed in the wisdom and Firmness of the Government, and in the Virtue and good Sense of the great mass of our People, who (especially in the eastern and middle States) possess a Degree of Information and Steadiness, not to be found in other Countries. This Confidence I then entertained, and still retain. I persuade myself it will be justified by the Event; and that the Delusion which certain Spirits are spreading, to decieve the People, will not infect the sound part of the nation. If however this persuasion should prove to be ill founded, we may expect to see our Country afloat on a Sea of Troubles— But having been conversant with Difficulties we are apprized that it is more proper as well as more useful to turn our Faces, than our Backs to them.

As to the Treaty— it must and will speake for itself— it has been maliciously slandered, and very ably defended—but no calumny on the one hand, nor Eloquence on the other, can make it worse or better than it is — At a future Day it will be generally seen in its true Colors and in its proper point of View—

Strenuous Efforts will be made to gain and mislead a majority of the House of Representatives, at the ensuing Session of Congress; and if they succeed, many Perplexities and Embarrassments may be expected. but Perplexities and Embarrassments are incident to human affairs; and while moral Evil remains in the World, it will constantly generate political ones.

Mr. Bowers has been so obliging as to call and pay me the money mentioned in your Letter, but he omitted, and I forgot to ask him for, your Statement of the Case between you and Doctrs. Livingston and Jones— I will remind him of it— It gives me pleasure to learn from him, that your Health is perfectly re-established; and that your amiable Family enjoy that inestimable Blessing— May you and they long continue to enjoy it— Whenever I visit Albany, I shall certainly make an Excursion to Duanesburgh.— your Family are taking deep Root there; and they have my best wishes that they may there be and remain “like a Tree planted hy the Water Side, whose Leaf shall not wither”—2 I am Dear Sir Your obliged & obedt Servt