I am happy by your favor of July 7. to hear from you after your tour thro’ so much of the US. and particularly to2 recieve the result of your observations of the general ascendancy of republicanism and of good dispositions towards Spain. the two sentiments spring from the same root. the republican regeneration of Massachusets gives me real joy. the union of3 New England and Virginia alone carried us thro’ the revolution. five steady votes, were given by them on every question, and we picked up scatterers from the other less decided4 states which always secured a majority. since that we are become aliens and almost hostile; and why? I know not. Virginia has never swerved a hair’s breadth from the line of republicanism & Americanism. Massachusets has strayed a little into the paths of federalism & Anglicism; but a good portion of her citizens have always remained loyal to true principles; they have brought their wandering5 brethren back again to their fold, and we joyfully recieve them with6 the fraternal embrace. we shall now I hope feel towards each other the sentiments which united us in the revolution and become again truly brethren of the same principle.

I am just recovered from an illness of 3. weeks and am obliged to borrow the pen of another to assure you of my great esteem & respect.