[W— O[undecipherable] March 21^st 1796 [Th. [undecipherable] from [undecipherable]] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] I have I am and [undecipherable] out Tomorrow — will, however, state to you my feel[ings] [af]fairs, and hope that a definitiv[e answer] may be dispensed with for a few Days The Veneration and Attachment I have always felt for the President of the United States can hardly admit of Addition; but I confess to you that I have never experienced any Gratification Superior to that which results from this flattering Proof of his Confidence — Without Expectation of any Sort from the General Government I had not for a Moment turned my Views to any Appointment under it; but I have felt an uniform Anxiety to obtain the good opinion of the President as a valua[ble] Testimony that I have not lived in v[ain] Your Letter affords me this Testimony a[nd] [undecipherable] interests — and I beli[eve it] to be [his] Interest to do so. — If I should [undecipherable] [undecipherable] at this Time I should undoubtedly declare my ready Acquiescence. — But as the acceptance of this Trust might, and certainly would, materially change my future Prospects, and during a con= siderable period, suspend my professional pursuits it will be prudent to reflect a little on its Consequences before I act definitively. — I shall not require more than [undecipherable] Days [for] this [purpose] and will communicate the Result by— [undecipherable]. — I cannot avoid express[ing] the grateful [undecipherable] of the Interest you are good enough to take in my Concern. — You may [undecipherable] that I [have] act[ed] frankly [undecipherable] transaction [undecipherable] and— [undecipherable] approbation [of] manag[undecipherable] [undecipherable] affairs [in] peace