Washington used to say Sometimes “They work me hard” Sam. Allen Otis said a day or two before his Death “They work me two hard” And I who have not the Honor to be [“]Father of my Country” nor Secretary of the Senate, might now say in my Octoginary year, that John Taylor and a dozen others, some of them greater and some of them less Men, now work me confoundedly hard: but I will not say it. I Scorne to say it. No! I hold them all at arms length and, I will not be worked harder than I please. But I want some body to Copy my Letters to the great Taylor. Think not however, that this is a motive with me to invite you to Quincy. No! I should be very glad to see you, if your Obligations to your Family and your Constituents will permit you to make the Visit before the next meeting of Congress: and I will not ask you to Copy a Letter, unless your Curiosity should prompt You to wish to do it.

We shall now I hope, have a freer Communication, with our Blood in Europe. I really wish to see you. I have things to say to you about Fisheries and Missippi Navigation and other Subjects: about which this Nation is fast asleep, or I am raving distracted—