accept my Thanks for your Favor of the 4th. Inst. which together with the papers mentioned in it, came to Hand last week.1

There are few Things in this world that are not rated at more than their real Value ^worth^, and that will always continue to be the Case while Sens Wisdom & Integrity continue to be unequally shared divided among Men—

As to ^the Contents of^ these News papers in Question, they are much like common in Conversations which serves to amuse a Leisure ^hour^ and ^but wh. are generally more^ tho abundant in Words are not very replete with ^than an^ interesting matter— I am glad you sent them by a Courier, for ^otherwise^ their real postage from Madrid here, would have added considerably to their fictitious Transportation from Peru to Cadiz—

The more I see of this Country the better I like it, & whenever I leave it, I shall ^carry^ with me many favorable Impressions of it. Such a Kingdom, so governed, has little to fear from War, and in my opinion shd. make peace with as much Deliberation, as it is capable of prosecuting a war with Vigor—

The spanish Embassador shews me no powers to treat, & yet desires me to proceed— His Court does not appear to be apprized that tho his Catholic Majy has not acknowledged our Independence, yet that the United States have ^as well^ as France & Holland, have—2

There is a Tide in human affairs which waits for nobody & political mariners ought to watch & profit ^it^ and avail themselves of its Advantages— Sat Verbum.3

Present my best Respects to the Embassador,4 and be assured that tho’ I cannot want of ^Time or^ Health may sometimes make me an unpunctual Correspondent, yet that you was led into a mistake when you supposed ^imagined^ that I might not be disposed to write to You,— The Appearance of Objects differs according to the ^depends not a little on the^ Glass thro which we view them, and ^for &^ some are so fashioned as not to represent them ^either men or things^ as they are—

Mrs. Jay presents you her Compliments—she is as much pleased with France as I am— Adieu I am Dear Sir with great Regard your most obt. & hble Servt