I have received your favours of the 10th. and 14th. of March, and am indeed happy to find that the ungenerous calumnies to which I have been subjected, have not made on your mind impressions unfavorable towards me.—I am aware that abuse, much abuse is the constant attendant on Office, under our Government; I have endeavoured to meet it with composure—But when I perceived a political conduct represented as vicious, which I knew to have been guided by the purest motives of honest Patriotism; and acts which in truth were benevolent and praiseworthy, represented as dishonorable, and all this done by a faction who had recourse even to subornation and perjury in order to sully my reputation, I must confess that my feelings received a wound which could alone be healed by conscious rectitude, and a belief that the confidence of the Executive in me, was not diminished. The subject of the Road through Florida has already received my attention, and I persuade myself there will be no difficulty on that point.

You may be assured, that I will not be inattentive to the Interest of General La Fayette—It is probable, that one thousand Acres may be obtained on the Canal of Carondelet; but whatever vacant Land there may be in that Quarter shall be surveyed:—Mr. Briggs is expected here in a week or two, but should his arrival be delayed I shall write him on the subject, and be governed by his instructions.—With respect to the advantages &c of the other Lands which I recommend’d, I will, very soon write you fully.

Accept D Sir the best wishes of your faithful friend