[Lisbon Nov. 19. 1798. W^m Smith.] [Address: young [undecipherable] M Willinks to Secretary of War James M^cHenry Esq^r] Lisbon, Octr 13. 98. Dear Sir After reading in the Papers that Congress had resolved to raise standing armies & provisional armies, volunteer Corps &c &c, I gave up all hopes of getting a Letter from you during the alarm of Invasion, sensible that with all your wonted activity, your time would not suffice for even your official duties. Wishing you well thro' all these arduous toils, I only presume to request a short line from you when you are satisfied that the Country is perfectly safe against external & internal foes.— The Great Nation have now so much on their hands near home & have succeeded so badly with their late invasions that I think you may for the present lay aside your fears of invasion. They mean now to have recourse to cunning & dividing the people of America— their story now is that they never meant to quarrel with us, that they have always shewn the greatest affection for us, but that Pitt & his Princes & John Adams with his faction are combined to drive America into war & bring about a clos. alliance with England; that France is on her part & always has been very desirous to terminate all differences between the Sister Republics.