[Page 1 is a modern notice from the Papers of the War Department digitization project: "Illegible Text. Some or all of the pages of this file are wholly or in part illegible. We have not been able either to locate a better copy of the document, or to enhance its legibility electronically."] [Pages 2–3 are heavily damaged; the following fragments are partially legible:] [undecipherable] ment to [undecipherable] part of the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to N h D [undecipherable] I doubt not being him — to [undecipherable] of With respect &c [Page 3 is nearly entirely illegible; only what appears to be a signature is partially visible: [undecipherable]] [undecipherable] come to the Legislative powers; the former [undecipherable] sometimes Aristocrats or monarchists & sometimes tories, after the [undecipherable] list in the English government of nearly the same definition: and are called republicans, whigs Jacobins, Anarchists, disorganizers. these terms are in familiar use with most persons, and which of those [undecipherable] I used on the occasion alluded to I do not particularly remember, they are all well understood to designate persons who are for strengthening the Executive rather than the Legislative branches of the Government; but probably I used the last of those terms. & for these reasons, both parties claim to be federalists & republicans and I believe with truth as to the great mass of them. these appellations therefore designate neither exclusively, and all the others are slanders except those of Whig & Tory which alone characterise the distinguishing principles of the two sects as I have [undecipherable] considered them, as they have been known & named in England for more than a century, and as they are growing into daily use here with those who scorn to use the right of private judgment on others as well as themselves and not permit them to use the other terms which either imply against themselves or charge others injuriously. [undecipherable] my [undecipherable]: the most [undecipherable] answer [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the question, and as to myself [undecipherable] say [undecipherable] [undecipherable] doubts have never taken away my esteem for a man [undecipherable] a head I have never uttered a word nor entertained a [undecipherable] to give umbrage. even as to politicks, I could say nothing as you must be [undecipherable], but only from the Information of others, having conducted on [undecipherable] occasions that on public questions you have generally concurred with those [undecipherable] were on the side of executive powers. if in this I have been misinformed I shall with pleasure correct the error. if otherwise your conviction of the [undecipherable] of your opinions will render it satisfactory to you that they have not been mistaken. — this is the Sentiment which each side entertains of it's own opinions & neither thinks them the subject of [undecipherable]. — I am really sorry that any one should have found gratification in p[undecipherable]ing you or myself by such a communication. the Circumstance took place in a familiar conversation with persons who [undecipherable] myself [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] who we can at our [undecipherable] carries therefore the life [undecipherable], & I do not recollect that there was a person [undecipherable] [but of?] [their?] ordinary Society, tho [undecipherable] memory [undecipherable] was [undecipherable] proof how little of party [undecipherable] there is in Virginia. how little it influences public proceedings [undecipherable] that I dare say it has not been since [undecipherable] of, nor [undecipherable] but to yourself, with what more is not for me to consider. I have thought I could to your private [undecipherable] public character this candid declaration, and I have no fear you will mistake the motives which lead to it. I have the honor to be with great Respect Sir of most ob^t. [undecipherable] arrive in council [undecipherable] of the [undecipherable], decide — and if either should be the case, what [undecipherable] think of the views of a man, standing in his [undecipherable] critical station, in the present state of our affairs? "you ought to know that the diplomatic skill of [France?] [undecipherable] "she possesses in your country, are sufficient to enable her [undecipherable] "[the?] [underline: French Party in America], to throw it. and you may [undecipherable] "yourselves [underline: this will be done]." — What further proof is necessary? [Endorsement:] Copy of M^r [undecipherable] Letter to M^r [undecipherable] m in [undecipherable] [long?] of [the?] [undecipherable] be [received?] of [the?] [undecipherable] tory to [undecipherable] rec'd from M^r [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] [undecipherable]