Born in the land of Steady habits I take great delight in dwelling on the Soil and on the far fam’d liberal institutions of my native State

My Father was one of those persons whom the Tories denominated a “Flaming Son of Liberty” he had the Honour (not by intrigue, it was not practized in those Days) to be for a long period one of the Hon’ble Council of that great and good Man Governor Trumbull during the Revolutionary War1

The energetic character of Governor Trumbull very much resembled that of his intimate friend George Clinton and both them, and you Sir, were the companions and confidential adviser’s of our beloved Washington— Where is their Biography? Are there no persons alive who will do them justice?

I hope you will excuse the liberty I have taken in addressing this Letter to you, but Sir, my motive is a pure one— It is now more than 42 Years since I had the Satisfaction to reside in the venerable Doctor Franklin’s Family at Passy on the Banks of the River Seine, in the capacity of a clerk under his grand Son William Temple Franklin;2 and where I had the Satisfaction to hear that great & good Man express himself in terms of the highest admiration of your perseverance, patience, and fortitude, in the trying scenes you underwent at the Court of Madrid— he esteemed you among his best and constant friends—

General Lafayette has really produced Such a good State of fine feeling’s in every body’s heart, that we are all disposed to Join in the Harmony—3 and I have for the first time in my pilgrimage, become a pamphlet writer and now enclose you the effusion of my heart4 With Sentiments of the highest consideration, I am very Respectfully, Sir, Your most Obedt. Humble Servt