Suppose that for a few moments we should indulge in the regions of fancy and imagine a nation about to form into civil society Suppose their fundamental law to be that no member of the community 168 should possess more land than he could actually cultivate Suppose them determined to be an agrest people without commerce without communication with foreigners. Could not thier exist in such a community an equality such as the Democrats of the present day seem to advocate? Does the happiness of mankind increase in proportion to the degree of civilization under which they exist? Is not property further than that which will support life the root of most of the ills we experience? Are not more than three quarters of crimes committed perpetrated with a view to property? If so would it not be politic to remove the great incitement to vice? I have been led into this train of queries by reflecting upon the manners the dispositions upon the Republicanism and upon the State of property especially of Landed property among the people of the New England States. They have but few great Landholders None who are able to command the votes of thousands of their tenants. The farmers have generally the property in the soil they cultivate most of them possess small though perfectly independent estates Hence that noble freedom which does and will characterize them notwithstanding the malicious sneers of Southern demagogues. What would be a more fatal stab to a mans reputation than the mean solicitations for votes at an election? But here where a candidate has not power to command; all the mean chicane, the dirty arts, and infamous wiles are praticed to procure influence. Hence very often men of the most infamous lives and unprincipled characters are chosen to offices, while those who despise the trade are left behind. As there are generally two or more parties chicane is played off against chicane art against art falshood against falshood and property against property. If these evils do not arise from the inequality of property from what causes do they exist?—

My good friend the Baron is gone to his retreat where it is his intention to reside during the remainder of his life. I have removed to No 21 Little Queen Street where I have my office and a small bedroom I board at a Mrs Millars in Maiden Lane where I have my breakfast and dinner for fifty five pounds a year1 I pay fifty more for my rooms I am contented with my situation. I am not astonished at the heat and animosity of parties in Congress but I should think it more becoming if they used fewer personalities Mr Clarke seems to be the bully of the Anti federal party2 When do you propose adjournment? You must be fatigued of so long a session—

Adieu my dear Sir believe me your / affectionate son

I received your’s of April 27th & 30th together with the Pamphlets last Evening.1 two of them from the spirit they breathe denote their origin to be of southern extract. they are a counter part with the attacks upon the Secretary made last year in the House. I have ever thought with respect to that Man, “beware of that spair Cassius—”2 this might be done consistant with prudence, and without the illiberal abuse in many respects so plentifully cast upon him. the writers however discover too plainly that envy Pride and malice are the Sources from whence their opposition arrises, in stead of the publick good. they are written in the stile & spirit of Honestus, a Rancourous malice or a dissapointed ambition at bottom. you and I know that in two Instances the Letter writer Lies most wickedly and from thence, if he could not be convicted in other instances yet we might safely conclude that many things which he alledges against the secretary are equally false, and I shall Say of the knavish writer as the Son of Vattel says of Genet, that the Books which he abuses will out live his malice and his Mushroom Letters:3 the North and South appear to be arranged very formidably against each other in politicks and one judas appears from this quarter too conspicuous for his honour, or reputation. tis said here that the Southern Members have promised him the vice Presidency the next Election if the southern states force us into a war—4 I hope their Negroes will fight our Battles, and pay these real & haughty Aristocrats all the Service due to them, from the Real & true Republicans. the Pamphlet upon 170 Prophesy I shall send to mr Cranch who has some time been upon the subject, and told me not long since, that he was persuaded we were entering upon the third woe Trumpet.5 he has borrowd the last volms of Gebeline lately which he is delighted with.6 when I have read the dreadfull Scenes which have past, and are still acting in France, when I behold so Numerous and powerfull a Nation overturning all their old established forms both of Government and of Religion opposing & baffeling so successfully so many powers, and that under no Government, that deserves the Name, I have been led to contemplate it, as no common or natural event, arrising from the pressure of any increasd burdens or any new infringment upon their Priveledges, but the over ruling hand of Providence fulfilling great designs. it is the Lords work and it is Marvelous in our Eyes— the skirt of the cloud will pass over us—and thankfull may we be if justice and Righteousness may preserve us from its Artiliry

we are very dry, quite as much so as the last Season— I aim at no rivalship I only wish to fullfill my duty and pursue that which shall be for our mutual advantage. yet I fear I shall be deemd an unprofitable Servant and that some things will be left undone; which ought to have been done. I have the satisfaction however of thinking that I am more usefull here than I could be by residing at Philadelphia

I have very little hopes to give you respecting our aged Parent, who has had a relapse, and a very severe one, but has survived it, and is again better, tho mere Skin and bone, and unable to walk a step alone. tis the decline of Nature aided by a long Sickness. mr Cranch has accepted the post office— I check every rising wish & suppress every anxious desire for your return, when I see how necessary you are to the welfare and protection of a Country which I love, and a people who will one day do justice to Your memory the reflection however of always having done what you considerd as your duty, will out weigh all popular Breath and virtue be its own reward— I am most / Tenderly and affectionatly / Your