Dear Sir,

LETTER LV.

FITCHBURG, Nov. 18, 1809.

Since my last of the 28th ult. I have not had the pleasure to hear from you. I lately received some information concerning you, which I deem it a duty of friendship to communicate. I had it from one of the supreme Junta residing at the "Head quarters of good principles." It is of a confidential nature though no secrecy was imposed-and is, that yourself and Mr. Gray are to be the candidates for the first and second offices in the Commonwealth. I have no doubt but you will find that "a bush lim'd for you." The information was probably given to me with a view to obtain my opinion whether you would allow yourself to be a candidate. I have not given an opinion, nor could I, although acquainted with the objections you made last year to Mr. John Q. Adams' being a candidate, speak any other way than hypothetically upon the subject.

If the project now agitated in the upper Chamber of the Caucus, by those who keep 'the body and the limbs of this great sport to

gether," should not be shoved aside by any new occurrence in the rapid versatility of events, you may depend on being soon sounded on this affair.

The sayings and doings of one party, seem to be to the other but "stuff to make paradoxes." It may so appear in this case, but I believe the intention is, really, if possible, to tranquilize the Commonwealth by some greater unanimity in the designation of the first Magistrate. All I can say to yourself about it is what Ulysses said to Agamemnon:-You are one" in whom the tempers and the minds of all should be shut up." Could this confidence be effected by your presidency over the counsels of the Commonwealth, there is no consideration of a private nature that ought to get the ascendency over your obligations to your country. In no other view could I suppose your election auspicious to your peace or glory-in any other you would be happier as Atticus than as Cicero.

I think there is some pith in the Letters of Cobbett to the King. The smuggled system of Internal navigation pursued by Buonaparte may, if unobstructed in its prosecution, prepare

a torpedo for the British Navy. Buonaparte has as much valour and forty times the prudence of Anthony-He will let others "go a ducking," and continue the plan of “fighting foot to foot," until he can reduce his enemy to a condition that he will not fear to take a chance with him at Actium or Salamis.

I have received your favour of the 15th inst. It is no more than I expected, that your elucidations of the great transactions in which you were uninterruptedly engaged through the different periods of their existence, and in the making of which you have repeatedly had occasion to make personal allusions, would necessarily lead you into extensive correspondencies. I think I told you as much soon after you commenced your public letters. I

really hope that your life, and health, and vigour will be continued to you unimpaired to carry you through, and many years beyond, the completion of your design. I shall take care not to interrupt nor retard your progress with my speculations. If it is true that "we bring forth weeds when our quick winds lie still," you must bear abundantly of fruits, turned up so thoroughly as you are to ventilation—I wish you a great crop, and joy of the harvest. I know it would be unjust to yourself, and to your family, that you should be "the grave of your deserving." I have hinted, that you had better leave your life to the pen of some Comines, but if none but yourself can do yourself justice,

""Twere a concealment

Worse than death, no less than a traducement
To hide your doings."

The expression in your letter of Sept. 27th, that "Poor Democrats," &c. "are at the feet of John Bull and his Calves," I should have let pass without without objection, had I not thought it more chargeable with inconsistency than impropriety. By causing your letters to Kalkoen

to form a part of your present communications to the public, they are, I think, to be regarded as containing your present sentiments.

A subject of great delicacy I have thought I would take the liberty to mention. It is no less than to offer you some advice respecting your treatment of Hamilton, when you shall again resume the consideration of his conduct. It is a transgression of a rule to give counsel unasked, but I am stimulated beyond subjection to rules by what was suggested to me by your son, when I was at Quincy. He said that when you entered again on that topic "the little" (using some harsh epithet)" would have it," meaning, undoubtedly, that he would be lashed with severity. But, my dear sir, if you mean to give weight to your animadversions, should they not be stated with calmness and candour? Let it be admitted that he deserved to be treated as a stigmatic-let it be admitted that he took the example of Semiramis for proof that sensuality was connected with talents for governing, but recollected from the same example, that it may be the associate of injustice and inhumanitylet it be admitted, that the marble mausoleum