Philad. 25 Nov^r. 1797. My dear Murray I have recd. at different times your several letters up to N^o 4. and a few enclosures containing a word or two on the passing occurrences. Among the former are [some?] under date of [undecipherable] the 9 [undecipherable] 22 June 18 July & 7^th & 4^th of Augt. with two or the envelopes containing a word or two [undecipherable] on passing events. I need not [mention: written above line] to you what you knew when you left this knew, that every circumstance which respects the good people [among?] with whom you now reside is extremely interesting to this government who sincerely and anxiously work for their happiness and prosperity, [undecipherable] were it not to alarm you that the same sentiments continues to be felt and the same lively intent to be taken in all the what ever appears to concerns them. You cannot [undecipherable] yourself yourself on this subject too [undecipherable: strongly/forcibly] more than [that]. The attention of the [undecipherable] [us?] It is not the same with respect to the French. The decrees of the directory and— [altering] with that nation which affect our treaty, and trade, [undecipherable] our trade and the a continuation of captures and condemnations of our vessels, with [ill?] treatment [of] our citizens, [and] not [openly?] have since your departure you know how [undecipherable] at once [undecipherable] considerably changed the public sentiment. It had declined when you left this, [having] declined more since, except among the chiefs of the opposition— and [some] merchants [undecipherable] free [importers &] lucrative [undecipherable] by means of [contrast], and [private] [undecipherable]. It is however apparent that even [undecipherable] persons speak just more reserve [undecipherable] formerly [undecipherable] not [undecipherable] to the late events in France [undecipherable], it can be [undecipherable] perceived that they rejoiced at them, [and] [undecipherable] called every principle of their constitution as to [undecipherable] them about the mode of [justification] and praise. I cannot [notwithstanding this] [undecipherable] a [vacillating?] [undecipherable] within [undecipherable] and a [undecipherable] on the part of the [undecipherable] remove [undecipherable] and procure their unrestrained [applause?] Take this however for a fact, [the] [undecipherable] at [undecipherable] a great majority of the [undecipherable] of independent farmers, and men of property, and not merchants and merchants men of property, are disposed [not] to be harmed [any] thing from the preservation of their own [government] [undecipherable] of all the [undecipherable] There [undecipherable] among [undecipherable] the prosecution of peace [undecipherable] among those men, and perhaps, a greater degree of [relative] apathy to insults [undecipherable] on that account than consists with the [discernment?] actual state of things; with the real strength and and [resources] of the country; with its power and its means to teach France a [lesson] of [moderation], and bring her back to those engagements which she has so wantonly [violated]. I am for this [undecipherable] [pursuing?] the present [language?] is not [undecipherable] [problem?]. The [speaker?] seems to be roused [undecipherable] of the [undecipherable] of the members being permitted to [arm?] or [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [may?] we are obliged to deal. But [of?] doors the [majority?] and [undecipherable] is now generally [undecipherable] and felt. [Else?] however, [avoid?] the measures [may?] be delayed on by [concerns?] [undecipherable] the ground of wanting the full accounts can be received by from our commissioners as to the probable result of their [actual] [mission?]. [undecipherable] where is the courage [undecipherable] our [undecipherable] themselves [undecipherable] the rank which they hold, and the [undecipherable] which providence has assigned to us, we [cannot?] be [undecipherable] with respect to Spain. She is for her [officers?] for her is [undecipherable] acting an universal [part?] in [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] and running the line of limits. [She?] certainly depends [upon?] [undecipherable] wherever she [undecipherable] not [according?] with her intense [undecipherable] [The?] [undecipherable] a [undecipherable] single side [undecipherable] point [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] certainly depends [how?] [undecipherable] whenever she [undecipherable] not [according?] with her intense [desire?] to [consent?]. The [undecipherable] a [undecipherable] single side [undecipherable] point [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the [passions?] & [undecipherable] expectations of the western people to [an?] war [with?] her. I hope she [will?] see things in their just light. I can assure you a continuance of peace and friendly intercourse with her [undecipherable] is desired by this [govern]ment, and [will?] not [be?] I send you the [President's?] speech and the [Central?] news-[papers?]. God bless you and M^r Murray and [peace?] [undecipherable] and render you [undecipherable] happy in each other. — I shake [an?] good heart, [to?] I have [undecipherable] Your [affectionately?] James McHenry [docket: 25 Nov^r. 1797. To M^r Murray] Wm. V. Murray