Philad. 3^d Dec^r. 1797. Dear Sir. I have received from you two letters, since your arrival at Lisbon — one dated of the 24^th of Aug^t. [strikethrough: the other the] and the 9^th of Sept^r. also, by my neighbours and Therefore I have been much amused and [strikethrough: and] as well as some of your friends with [strikethrough: you] — to whom I read a [strikethrough: part] of your last letter with the account of the circumstances of your reception [strikethrough: to the] your — [strikethrough: to the] omissions of and those of the Portugese ministers. Considering [strikethrough: that the] the [strikethrough: latter] personage [strikethrough: as man to] has been disciplined in such exercises [strikethrough: it] it seems reasonable that you should have derived some consolation from his [strikethrough: own] blunders. [strikethrough: from my neighbour who had been] I learn with pleasure that you now had made a [strikethrough: very] rapid progress in acquiring the Portugese language. I hope you will be [strikethrough: in a short time. It may be that] able to speak it fluently. This [strikethrough: they] acquired it important for the U.S. that you [strikethrough: should] as it will [strikethrough: you will] be able to [strikethrough: gain a more] immediately facilitate your acquiring a more correct knowledge of the commerce of Portugal, and [strikethrough: susceptibles of being] the bars that are to be removed to open to our merchants a participation in the trade of [strikethrough: this] their country and [strikethrough: strategy] by giving a freer access to [strikethrough: our wealth] our staples into Portugal as would [strikethrough: currently] tend to benefit both countries. I [strikethrough: begin] incline to think, that a treaty of commerc[e] with this knowledge and your talents the thing may be brought about and a commercial treaty [strikethrough: could be] & concluded [strikethrough: arranged renewed]. Good information can no doubt be obtained from other [strikethrough: numerous honours. From] Bulkley and the English houses at Lisbon. [strikethrough: you may] but the object [strikethrough: should] need be of long standings [strikethrough: perhaps] to be kept out of [strikethrough: answer] sight with respect to Spain. The Presidents Speech which accompanies this [strikethrough: will] show you what is expected [strikethrough: you from which] you will infer from this that [strikethrough: the project you suggest is] the project you suggest [strikethrough: would] to be [strikethrough: under present circumstances] is at least premature and, that if things can be set right without it [strikethrough: at the] a the necessity of having recourse to it so much the better. Spain [strikethrough: was well] has more reason to dread the U.S. than the U.S. has to [strikethrough: fear her. So] She [strikethrough: appears] disappears [strikethrough: to her concern] again. [strikethrough: Spain engagements resemble] [undecipherable] [strikethrough: of Spain] and [strikethrough: ought] not to have any reason [strikethrough: after] [undecipherable] to give [undecipherable] [strikethrough: doubt it. The ones possibly the interest to affect calls] [undecipherable] at this moment to [strikethrough: fulfill the stipulations in the treaty with] the U.S. and [strikethrough: I trust] she will do so. [strikethrough: let us see whether] she will attend to this call? [strikethrough: andract already] I shall be always remember your wishes whenever any opportunity may offer by which they can be gratified. I feel exceedingly your absence. I [strikethrough: have] have formed no new connection since, and I am every day getting more desirous to resume a life of leisure and independence. [strikethrough: And leaving] M^r. Soderström has taken care to see your [strikethrough: Charlotte] [undecipherable] cased & shipped. I took care to examine it and ascertain its car[r-] [r-]iage [strikethrough: both the] the contract and to give an order [^Flint] on the [strikethrough: sum of] State for 1300 dollars as paid. The [undecipherable] I apprehend you will find [the] [undecipherable] too high hung and the base too elevated for the roads in Portugal. yours sincerely and affy James McHenry