I congratulate you on the approaching period when you are to exchange the busy anxious cares and labors attached to the high office you hold, for the easy, placid Scenes of philosophic retirement. Yet I cannot but regret that you should quit the helm of State before the Storm is over: and this I do from a full persuasion that the Event would prove highly honorable to yourself, and advantageous to our Country. I indulge however the pleasure of thinking that our friend Madison will reap the Laurels you have prepared, provided he will not suffer his judgment to be warped by the noise and clamor of certain characters, nor at the terrific ideas they have raised of a Civil War, a Separation of the Union, and other similar phantoms of a depraved imagination.

I intended to have had the pleasure of paying my respects to you in Washington this season, but the situation of my family would not admit of my leaving home. I had it in contemplation to submit to your consideration, some thoughts on the erecting certain manufactures in the United States. The present period appears favorable for such undertakings. To introduce and establish Manufactures among ourselves, has long been a favorite object with me. I do not recollect that I ever mentioned to you a Plan, I concerted many years ago, to render the good works of Christianity itself subservient to that End. I therefore take the liberty to enclose two papers which may amuse you at a leisure hour, if they should answer no other purpose. I must request when you have perused Lady Huntingdon’s Address, that you would return it to me, as it is the only Copy, signed by herself, that I have left.

Wishing you health & happiness on your retirement, I remain, with great esteem, Dear Sir Your Very humble Servt: