![]() ![]() Nothing but harmony, honesty, industry and frugality are necessary to make us a great and happy people. I think, I see a path, as clear and as direct as a ray of light, which leads to the attainment of that object. If I know my own heart, nothing short of a conviction of duty will induce me again to take an active part in public affairs-and, in that case, if I can form a plan for my own conduct, my endeavours shall be unremittingly exerted (even at the hazard of former fame or present popularity) to extricate my country from the embarrassments in which it is entangled, though want of credit and to establish, a general system of policy, which, if pursued will insure 3 permanent felicity to the Commonwealth. Should the circumstances render it, in a manner inevitably necessary, to be in the affirmative:Be assured, my dear Sir, I shall assume the task with the most unfeigned reluctance, and with a real diffidence for which I shall probably receive no credit from the world. ![]() In truth my difficulties encrease and magnify as I drew towards the period, when, according to the common belief, it will be necessary for me to give a definitive answer, in one way or another. Your sentiments, indeed, coincide much more nearly with those of my other friends, than with my own feelings. I can say little or nothing new, in consequence of the repetition of your opinion, on the expediency there will be, for my accepting the office to which you refer. Mischance or perverseness should occasion the greater mortification, by blasting the enjoyment in the very bud. ![]() Still however, in such a fickle state of existence, I would not be too sanguine in indulging myself with the contemplation of scenes of uninterupted prosperity lest some unforeseen From these and some other circumstances, I really entertain greater hopes, that America will not finally disappoint the expectations of her Friends, than I have at almost any former period. Did it not savour so much of partiality for my Countrymen I might add, that I cannot help flattering myself the new Congress on account of the self-created respectability and various talents of its Members, will not be inferior to any Assembly in the world. I will content myself with only saying, that the elections have been hitherto vastly more favorable than we could have expected, that federal sentiments seem to be growing with uncommon rapidity, and that this encreasing unanimity is not less indicative of the good disposition than the good sense of the Americans. I need not enumerate the several particulars, as I imagine you see most of them detailed, in the American Gazettes. The choice of Senators, Representatives and Electors, whh (excepting in that of the last description) took place at different times, in the different States, has afforded abundant topics for domestic News, since the beginning of Autumn. It is not a matter of wonder, that, in proportion as we approached to the time fixed for the organization and operation of the new government, their anxiety should have been encreased, rather than diminished. But patriotism, instead of faction, has generally agitated them. The minds of men, however, have not been in a stagnant State. 2 Since his departure from America, nothing very material has occurred. The last letter, which I had the pleasure of writing to you, was forwarded by Mr Gouverneur Morris. By that letter, my mind was placed much more at its ease, on both those subjects, than it had been for many months. 1 Notwithstanding the distance of its date, it was peculiarly welcome to me: for I had not, in the mean time received any satisfactory advices respecting yourself or your country. By the last Post, I was favored with the receipt of your letter, dated the 5th of September last. ![]()
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