I was this Morng favored with your obliging Letter of the 29 of Jany, together with the Cotton ^& seed^ mentioned in it, and for which accept my thanks1

This nankeen Cotton appears to me to be a valuable acquisition and I hope care will be taken to [illegible] ^keep^ it pure and unmixed— there are many plants of the same Genus but of different Species, which ^as I observed to you when here,^ by being planted too near to each other intermix and adulterate each other by means of the Farina shed from their flowers— whether this is the case with the cotton plant I am uninformed, my Knowledge of it and of its Culture being very imperfect. I shall plant some of the Seeds in the most favorable Spot I have, but fear that no place ^Exposure^ in our northern Country will be very auspicious to it— [illegible] whatever may be the Result I will inform you of it—2

The Prosecution you mention will give you some Trouble— but Trouble of one kind or other is a Tax which all who enter manage public affairs must pay. In free Governments there will never cease to be parties and Factions ^and Demagogues—^ The Reign of Virtue and disintested ^genuine^ Patriotism [illegible] never did nor ever will [universally prevail among?] ^actuate the great mass of—^ any people— [by them?] ^They have influenced & governed^ Individuals, but not multitudes & nations have been influence and governed, and those Individuals tho’ sometimes crowned with ^hard earned^ Laurels, have not unfrequently be^en^ crowned with ^unmerited^ Thorns—Let us do good because it is our Duty to do it, and not becaus not favor for the Sake of the Gratitude or Fame which we may expect or merit ^thereby deserve^— Then my good Friend we shall never be disappointed— The Mens conscia Recti3 is a Consolation which mankind can neither give nor take away— These Reflections ought not drive us into retiremt and uninteresting Tranquility ^to induce us to desert our post, nor will detain us from serving our Country—^ [long illegible] ^There are Duties attached to every Condition and Situation, ^^&^^ the obstacles we meet with in performing them, instead of abating should increase our [illegible] Circumspection Exertions & Perseverance—^

as to the Merits of this prosecution, circumstanced as I am, It would be improper for me to make any Remarks.

Mrs. Jay is obliged is obliged by your polite attention, and desires me to present to you her Complts.— with the best wishes for your Prosperity I am Dr Sr your most obt & hble Servt.