Trenton 22^d. Oct^r. 1799 my dear Nephew. I have received your letters of the 4^th of June, inclosing two letters from W^m Murray, [strikethrough: & yours] of the 15^th of the same month inclosing [strikethrough: one two] letters for M^r Cole & M^rs Ewing, also your two letters, [strikethrough: one] dated the 8^th of August [strikethrough: &] & the 3^d of Sept. ult^o. which [strikethrough: both] latter arrived a few days since. your letter of the 18^th of April, I acknowledged the 1^st of July. This is a summary of all the letters I have received from you since your arrival in Europe. This will go, or a duplicate, by one of M^r Murrays colleagues Gov^r Davie, who with [strikethrough: M^r] Judge Ellsworth are to sail the last of this month for Lisbon in the Ship United States, and thence proceed, according to the information they shall receive to some port in France. The accounts, of certain departments [strikethrough: in the sorts of France] being in a state of declared insurrection has induced to this course, which is meant to allow them the opportunity to chuse a port from whence they can proceed to Paris in safety or with the least possible chance of danger or interruption. [strikethrough: The] We have little news of a domestic nature. The Indians at peace with each other and with us. The Country in general tranquil. The recruiting service for the new regiments successful. The Navy on the increase. The general commerce, altho' it suffers occasional [strikethrough: interruptions] illegal captures, prosperous. The results from our taxes and imposts favourable and susceptible of augmentation & a certainty of obtaining further loans if wanted for the purposes of defence or war. As to parties. There will be at least a greater number of nominal, if not of real federalists in the ensuing congress than we had in the last, owing perhaps more to the operation of personal influence, in the persons elected than any change [strikethrough: of principles,] of political opinions among the people who elected them. We must not consider the representatives in Congress, in [strikethrough: all] any cases, as [strikethrough: representing] the echo of the sentiments entertained [strikethrough: by] Their constituents upon political questions, [strikethrough: their words &c &c some have and some always so in] it is by no means [strikethrough: certain that they] always so [undecipherable]. The election in Pennsylvania for Governor has closed. The powers of both parties were excited and exerted to the utmost, the one for M^r Ross, the other for Judge McKean. It is [strikethrough: certain that] the latter is carried by a large majority. [strikethrough: It is not] It is likely [strikethrough: that] this event will increase the antifederalism of Pennsylvania, while it does not appear to me that jacobinism has at all decreased in Virginia. Another subject. Opinions among federalists differ [strikethrough: relative] a good deal relative to the following questions. 1. Whether the original appointment of ministers to treat with France was compatible with the dignity and interest of the United States. 2^d Whether the recent changes which have taken place in [strikethrough: with those which are probable] France did not require a suspension of the mission? The fact is, the mission has become an apple of discord, the effects of which it is impossible to foresee or calculate. I [strikethrough: however] trust as I have always done to a [strikethrough: kind] superintending Providence. The family are in good health. Dad and [undecipherable] are anxious. Daniel very proud of your letter. John sorry he has nothing to write you about, and Ann & Margaretta wishing to see you. Continue to give me your sentiments on [strikethrough: the accounts and] the measures and [strikethrough: the] occurrences, by every opportunity, and believe me your affectionate uncle James McHenry I have not time to write to M^r Murray. you will of course communicate this letter to him. I have just read your letter dated 30^th of May enclosing one for M^r A. R. Lee [To John McHenry 22^d Oct. 1799] [M^r John McHenry]