[Docket notation on cover, written sideways: 18 July 1799 / John Dennis Jr.] Philad. 18 July 1799 [undecipherable] I have received your letter [strikethrough: of] dated some time [strikethrough: undecipherable] [strikethrough: undecipherable] applied the 24^th [undecipherable], and [strikethrough: undecipherable] [strikethrough: undecipherable] has [strikethrough: undecipherable] been no [strikethrough: undecipherable] of [strikethrough: undecipherable] to [strikethrough: undecipherable] recent information of a nature to [strikethrough: have] satisfyed you [undecipherable], or [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] probable time [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of the Directory. To [strikethrough: undecipherable] [undecipherable] your reflecting our foreign relations. It is not known what [undecipherable] [undecipherable] ultimately take. The [undecipherable: peace?] obtained by the [undecipherable: it appears] negotiations of Rastadt, has been [undecipherable: employed?] by the Emperor of Germany & [undecipherable: Prussia?] to prepare to meet the armies of the Directory and [strikethrough: undecipherable] [undecipherable] extra [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in Italy and Switzerland. and [strikethrough: undecipherable] [undecipherable] have [undecipherable] many [undecipherable] falling. The Directory, on the other [undecipherable: hand?], [undecipherable] [strikethrough: undecipherable] [undecipherable] the attention of England to the British Cabinet to Ireland, as if they meant a serious invasion, have been able to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] into [the?] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] for [the?] [undecipherable] to follow [undecipherable] and may possibly effect something [undecipherable: important?] before [undecipherable] England can concentrate a sufficient force to act with effect. I believe an embassy to this country [undecipherable: would?] please the Marquis La [undecipherable] [undecipherable] he has the vanity to think that he [undecipherable] popularity here, and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] weakness to [undecipherable] invasion [undecipherable] might become the instrument to reconcile the two hemispheres. [undecipherable] of the Directors have truly appreciated his character [undecipherable: they?] will use him, and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] on this [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. It is to be hoped however, that the [undecipherable] are by this time sufficiently recovered, I mean a [undecipherable], [undecipherable] [undecipherable], to [undecipherable]: [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] step of [the?] Directory, [undecipherable] [undecipherable: must be?] taken towards a reconciliation with this country is meant to has no other meaning than to put it more effectually in [their?] power to subdue the [undecipherable] European powers [undecipherable] that they may [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the more easily afterwards — treat us as they think proper. The expectations [undecipherable] of a [undecipherable] and honest government, [undecipherable] [undecipherable] for [undecipherable] as [their?] [undecipherable] Governor. I cannot say that I am without apprehension, [undecipherable] that I do not think they are — [undecipherable: sanguine?]. My opinion is [undecipherable] the ground I have taken of the parties that it is probable [undecipherable] will be carried; and yet, the events in Europe, between [the?] [undecipherable] and the day of election may materially affect the contest. N. Earle I [undecipherable] had gone forward to the President [undecipherable] before I received your [undecipherable: letter?] in favour of W. Newton. I am De Sir John Dennis Jr.