Perhaps the President of the U States may deem my unsolicited addresses as rather obtrusive, but I confidently hope he will do me the justice to be assured, that they originate in an exalted opinion of his character & administration, and in the purest Patriotism.

It has been suggested to me that some opponents of myself and my brothers, not able to influence the Post master Genl against me, have made application to your excellency, thro’ the agency of a certain Senator, with intent to oust me from my humble, but at present convenient station, as Deputy P Master of this town—The Office is a distributing one for a part of the States of Vermont & New Hampshire; and from its peculiarly eligible situation, (at the corner of the States, whence spread into different parts of said states, large & much travelled roads,) for the business, must ever remain so, unless the false representations of artful interested persons or towns, (say Westminster or Walpole) should effect an alteration. This is said to be the object of some malevolent opponents, which in effect would be, to deprive me of the little Office, now enjoyed, and I trust faithfully attended to, by a young man ardently and durably devoted to the present mild republican Governmt of his country.

I have been led to these suggestions, not so much to preserve my present office & business, as to give my president some general hints on this subject in case applications are made; and to explain the artful ground said to be taken against me. Senator Bradley’s※ son is son-in law to Mark Richards, late rival Candidate against my brother. Not able to run down my brother, and mortified at the defeat, ’tis said the families extend their opposition to the connections of James Elliot—And while they openly declare him an apostate, a third party man &c.—they clandestinely involve his brother in the same supposed odium. The president too well knows the feelings of myself, to indulge a suspicion unfavorable to my character! My numerous public discourses in this part of the Country, are my best witnesses to invalidate the insinuations of my opposers! I cannot vouch for the conduct of my brother; but we, his republican friends have supported him from a conviction that he was & ever will be, an honest, independent republican—a friend to Mr Jefferson and his General Administration—Certainly such are his uniform declarations. If we find ourselves mistaken, we shall forsake him—For one I can declare, that the feelings of brother shall yield to the stronger impules of Patriotism. And therefore, I trust, that suspicions of his apostacy, founded in some imprudences perhaps on his part, but more in the fruitful imaginations of his opponents, will never draw a shadow of suspicion on his friends or relations. I have said enough to explain my ideas, & more than enough perhaps, for your patience

I take the liberty, here confidentially to observe, that I have on hand a manuscript poem, in a considerable state of forwardness, entitled “The Columbiad; or Liberty in the West,” which I purpose to inscribe to you, if your permission should be granted, after a view of the performance—Its completion is contemplated in about a year

With respectful Sentiments of high Esteem, I have the honor to be, sir,