[Address panel:] Honble [undecipherable] [undecipherable] at Large Paris 18 May 1800 42 My dear friend An opportunity occurs S[undecipherable] enables me to thank you for a few lines w[hi]ch have escaped from you [undecipherable] introduction of some of our countrymen going [undecipherable] A. [undecipherable] I have rec[eive]d with the cordiality [undecipherable] by your recommendation. In [undecipherable] information respecting the state of things [undecipherable] U.S [undecipherable] of things generally as having a bearing on the [undecipherable] questions now before the European world, I refer you to [undecipherable] correspondence with the Sec[retary] of State — you will be charmed with it — Condense — Condense — you [undecipherable] me some time since — The almanack's a court — records style [undecipherable] to me matters of decided [undecipherable] — as I have great [undecipherable] while my [undecipherable] is [undecipherable] — to hear [undecipherable] Mr. A's letters (from Berlin) [undecipherable] to be at least [underline: long] letters !!! — Believe me I do not compare mine to his [undecipherable] to me are masterly diplomatic pieces — but it [undecipherable] our relative criticism. A scrap of a news paper now & then falls in our way from Philad[undecipherable] — [undecipherable] governor — a [undecipherable] divided on the [undecipherable] of an election of P[undecipherable] — in truth I know nothing equal to this but what is before us here — not a single spark of wisdom in a crumbling but victorious coalition — disputes on [undecipherable] — [undecipherable] points — Prussia absolutely withdraws — & those who [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in each [undecipherable] plans & objects even [undecipherable] — [undecipherable] the Fed[undecipherable] men must unite in supporting [undecipherable] of the country requires it — as far as exterior reputation [undecipherable] — as to the interior motions you know them better than I do — [undecipherable] could not be a more [undecipherable] [undecipherable] for T[undecipherable]. — than an abandonment of the P. by the [undecipherable] party — the [undecipherable] wounds him must rejoice the enemies of the U.S. — at least [undecipherable] who have been [undecipherable] [undecipherable] by the only blow which [undecipherable] been given to them during the present war — I send you a news paper — Their accounts from the [undecipherable] are to be used with due reserves — they are however [undecipherable] on [undecipherable] affairs — In Italy [undecipherable] fate must be decided by the 15 inst — The day in [undecipherable] B. declared he [undecipherable] relieve him — B. with his usual [undecipherable] & velocity lately set off [undecipherable] Geneva with the army of reserve — he will try to turn [undecipherable] — & he do Italy will be again in [undecipherable] — [undecipherable] in Piedmont &[undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the Austrian army — [undecipherable] [undecipherable] have been immense & his conduct [undecipherable] since he came into power — He [undecipherable] [undecipherable] he quelled at least 50,000 chouans — [undecipherable] them — thus liberating 50,000 [undecipherable] troops for the frontiers — while G. B. neglected those [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] — & he has raised in two months 4 mill[ion]s [undecipherable] — every shilling of w[hi]ch has been devoted to [undecipherable] army & its equipments — It is believed that [undecipherable] [undecipherable] has the new [undecipherable] [undecipherable] been directed to these objects that a great part of the [undecipherable] in the [undecipherable] have but [undecipherable] from one quarter of a month to another at a time — 'Tis true however [undecipherable] that this austerity ill agrees with such a people in the real spirit of the times. I take the liberty of inclosing some letters — Some were given to me by W. S. [undecipherable] [undecipherable] E[undecipherable]. — [undecipherable] believing I had some opportunity. [undecipherable] is [undecipherable] — also all [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Holland to France — my health is almost a wreck — though the air here is better than that of H[undecipherable]. — but I was [underline: acclimated] there, & the sudden change has shaken me terribly. Y[ou]rs always & affectionately my dear [undecipherable] W.V. Murray N.B. I rather suspect that a certain gentleman is more [undecipherable] with the policy of the measure now than when it was made in Feb[undecipherable]. 99.