I am this Moment finishing the Year, Since my last Arrival in 399Europe. And the dullest Year, it has been, that I ever Saw. I hope I shall never see Such another. The last Year has compleatly finished our Credit in Europe, Unless France and Spain should lend Us Money there is none to be had. As to the Olive Branch the Seed is not yet Sown which is to produce the Tree which will bear it.

I have received your kind favour of the 7. of Sept.—and hope Soon to receive more. We hope to hear that Cornwallis is checked.

The Dutch are pleasing themselves with, hopes from the Armed Neutrality. They have Sent off Expresses to the several Courts to inform them of their Accession. But they dare not attempt any Thing else.

If you ask what is become of Ireland, it was Silenced by the Loss of Charlestown. What of the Committees in England? Frightened by the Executions of the Mob.1 What is become of our Credit in Holland? Annihilated, by Sir Joseph Yorks Memorial and the Defeat of G. Gates—thus you see how mankind are governed in this Hemisphere.

I send you, a Pamphlet lately published here, and am most affectionately yours

Yours of the 17 with an inclosure to JT,2 as well as one of the 27th both got safe which was particularly satisfactory, as a friend who is now a fellow Citizen of yours and who left me about the 24th Ultimo may have before now explaind.3 He could explain to You every thing that I for the present wish explaind. Things are not worse, but insults and aggravation increase. Nothing can exceed the folly and infatuation of the day. To attempt to describe it would be impossible—they have got to the very paroxism of folly, aggravation, and resentment. An opinion generally goes forth thus—America is ours still; If a reasonable Man does not willingly give into this opinion, He is insulted and contemnd. You may form some sense of this by the publications of the day, which I hope you get regularly. You may write to me as usual—I wish for a line to put to the test whether it gets safe, and tell me in it how the papers come to hand &ca. &ca.

J. T—— got away the 2d Instant to Oostend and will I hope see you. 400On no account whatever risque his coming here again—he parted rather reluctantly and talkd strangely—more of this hereafter. I wish your Countrymen kept all their fools and—more to themselves and not suffer them to expose others. Much is the mischief which has arrisin from that quarter. I will write you more particularly soon.

We Englishmen not only think we can war successfully with all the world, but we are now actually possessd of an opinion that America is ours again. Nothing now remains but a small force of men and ships to be sent in the spring are wanted and these are actually intended to be sent in the spring. The Virga. Expedition there is great expectation from—but more from defection of principal men in the American Army.

I am with great respect Yrs &ca. &ca.