After a disagreeable Passage & a variety of weather Tincker has at last safely landed Us in Charleston, where I have resumed the Character of a busy Man, & have a clear prospect of passing an active winter between my professional, & political Occupations. But altho’ my Exertions shall be equally great, the individual, & the public will not be equally benefitted. That Spirit of Faction which is prevalent in other States, has extended her influence to this; & is too manifest not to be discerned, even when she assumes the Shape of Patriotism. It is really very curious to observe, how the People of this world, are made the Dupes of a word; “Liberty” is the motto, & any attempt to restrain Licentiousness, or give efficacy to Government is charged audaciously on the real advocates for Freedom as an attack upon Liberty. On my Return home, I found several of my Compatriots so highly disgusted with the artifices of some unworthy Characters, that they had determined to withdraw, from the Theatre of public Action, to Scenes of retirement, & ease. But I have the Pleasure to think that, I have prevailed on them, to change their Resolutions, & to continue in responsible Stations: for indeed my Friend, if the Field is to be abandoned by Men of Virtue, either from the Clamor of the worthless, or the ingratitude of the foolish part of the Creation, the Condition of Humanity would be wretched indeed. Where as, if Men who have given decided, & repeated Proofs, of their Love to their Country, unite together, & shew a firmness, similar to that which they displayed thro’ the war; I am convinced that sooner or later, they will vanquish their Enemies, & insure to themselves, & their posterity, all the Ends of good Government.

The Subject of the Western Waters I found was in the Possession of many of our People on my arrival—Various are their Opinions; the majority of those, with whom I have conversed, believe we should be benefited by a limited Cession of it to Spain; or rather a Cession for a limited time. But then, we must take Care, to be explicit on one Head. We must not be called on by Spain, at a future day; to guarantee the Cession. That will be absolutely in practicable: & she should understand clearly, the extent of our Engagement. If, from our Relinquishment at present, she can retain for a Number of Years, the exclusive Navigation of the River, it is well;—it will stop Migration, it will concenter Force, because they Settlers can have no out for the Productions of that Country, but down the Mississipi, & therefore, I think they will not be fond of immediately inhabiting her Banks. But when the Time shall arrive, when the Inhabitants shall be very numerous, will it not be worth the while of Spain to permit them the Navigation of the River, give them the Benefits of their Labor, encourage them in the Spirit of Agriculture, & divert their Minds from Conquests?—I should suppose it would. It will behoove Spain to consider this Affair with much attention; consider too the Genius, as well as the Interest of those Western Settlers & and ever carry in her Remembrance that in her Cession of American Territory, Great Britain cherished an Idea that, she was sowing the Seeds of Discord, between these States & Spain Again, suppose at some future day G.B. should set on foot by the way of Canada & the Lakes, a negociation with these Western People, & assist them, in opening not only the passage of the River, but the way to the Southern World, how is this to be counteracted? Would it not become Spain to put on the Spirit of accommodation with the Settlers of the distant Country, & prevent by such a Measure, such an injurious union?—I am too little acquainted with the Wisdom of that Court, to say what they will do; & after all, the Changes in Men & Measures leave a vast Field for Speculation into distant Ages—1 What is the Wisdom of the most wise to day, is depreciated into nothing Tomorrow. But we must nonetheless act, & acting from the best of our Judgment endeavour to justify Wisdom of her Children—I am limited in Time—& have been repeatedly interrupted by Clients since I began this Letter—You shall hear from me as opportunities offer—Mrs. Rutledge has been confined to the House ever since we landed: but she is too much obliged to Mrs: Jay to forget her ^in any Situation^—We both remember her with very affectionate Respect—She sends Mrs: Jay a Barrel of Potatoes—they are not large, but I believe they are good—Size you know is not a Characteristic of goodness—The Vegitation has not yet ceased. It will before Tincker returns, when I will send you the Image & Pride of India Trees—I wish they may flourish. In truth I wish every thing which belongs to you may flourish; & that you may long live to enjoy your Family, & the Fruits of your Labours—Adieu my dear Friend & believe that I am warmly attached to your Family & yourself.