[undecipherable] 20 May 1800 Dear nephew [undecipherable] [undecipherable] as [undecipherable] [undecipherable] you will no doubt be somewhat [undecipherable] pleased to hear that I re[undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to hear that I [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] home, on the 6th inst[undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]: [undecipherable] before you [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. I will mention to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] inducing [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] particular detail [undecipherable] I may [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] you. It is now [undecipherable] to a certainty, that the Anti-federal [undecipherable] [undecipherable] have [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] [undecipherable] by a [undecipherable] majority. You must add [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] some of the characters chosen [undecipherable] to the State Legislature (the members of which elect the electors of the President & Vice President) [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in a popular assembly, over inferior abilities, and meer [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] to be [undecipherable] [undecipherable] informed or [undecipherable] to know whom they are electing. It is also a [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable], if any compromise was taken and [undecipherable] two [undecipherable] in this State in the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] law, [undecipherable] if a law is agreed to, [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] [undecipherable], should any be chosen, will [undecipherable] [undecipherable] session. the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] had been growing against Mr. Adams has [undecipherable] [undecipherable] augmented among these federal [undecipherable] [undecipherable] late events. The Eastern members will return home, [undecipherable] speaking, more indisposed to, than desirous of, the election of Mr. Adams. The same thing, in a higher degree may be said of the [undecipherable] members from South Carolina. Upon the [undecipherable] the temper of the moment, and the chances are [undecipherable] [undecipherable] decisively decisive against Mr. Adams. Do not [undecipherable] however that any knowledge or anticipation of those dispositions or events, has the least insight in influencing to my [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] these discoveries I assure you as [undecipherable] [undecipherable] I had with the [undecipherable] of the President, taken a house in George town, a few [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and the event and made arrangements for the removal of my family thither. We have had for some time past, a [undecipherable] cabinet, as they [undecipherable] expressed it; in [undecipherable] words, Mr. Wolcott. Mr. Pickering and myself were decidedly of opinion that the [undecipherable] to France [undecipherable] [undecipherable] have been [undecipherable] dispensed with[;] [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] the situation in [undecipherable] [undecipherable] was, the [undecipherable] desirable in [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable], or kept, during the existence [undecipherable] [undecipherable] war in Europe, or between England and [undecipherable]; and that the [undecipherable] of war in wages with France gave us nothing to fear from her, effectually shut out French [undecipherable], was calculated to insure the continuance of a growing and lucrative commerce, and preserve the friendship of England. The [undecipherable] disregarding these considerations, [undecipherable] a different view of the subject, or looking only to his own election, and measuring the operation of the [undecipherable] upon it, could be [undecipherable] with nobody who did not think well of the [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Mr. Wolcott and Mr. [undecipherable] as he did. [undecipherable] at [undecipherable] moment I [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] a new set of principles were to be introduced, and that the acts of administration, would [undecipherable] as practicable, to be made subservient to electioneering purposes. Every day increased his [undecipherable] on this subject, and [undecipherable] of those gentlemen near him, who did not [undecipherable] furnish him with news or hopes flattering to his election. At times he would speak in such a manner of certain men and things, as to [undecipherable] one, that he was [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. For my own part, I had never [undecipherable] a single step to [undecipherable] his [undecipherable] or [undecipherable] his election, [undecipherable] my [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of the mission. In this temper of mind, and [undecipherable] the issue of the election in New-York was [undecipherable], which every one said was to be decisive of his election, the Federal members of Congress held a caucus, as it is called, in which, with very few exceptions, it was determined, that each member, in his State, would use his best endeavours to [undecipherable] Mr. Adams and Major Gen[undecipherable] Charles Col[undecipherable] [undecipherable] run for President, without giving one a [undecipherable] to the other. This arrangement [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] considers, increased his [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. It could not [undecipherable] [undecipherable] otherwise than as [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of his [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] requested [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] The [undecipherable] appeared to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of a Passenger, and to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] engagement on that head. This [undecipherable] [undecipherable] other subjects, became indecorous and at times outrageous. [undecipherable] at Washington had [undecipherable] time with [undecipherable] [undecipherable], [undecipherable] Mr. Pickering and myself, I had not appointed a [undecipherable] man in Philadelphia, [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and had [undecipherable] him to vote in that State, a captain in the army, and afterwards had him appointed a lieutenant [undecipherable] he refused. I had [undecipherable] General Washington to place [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in his [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] before Knox[undecipherable]. I had [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in my [undecipherable] to Congress and had [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] to his jealousy. I had done nothing which had [undecipherable] a suspension [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] body blamed me for [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] must resign. I received the next morning. Mr. Pickering was thrown out a few days after. Mr. Wolcott [undecipherable] retained for a while, only because he is afraid of derangements [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and I predict, should he be [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] I think cannot happen, [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] dismissed the [undecipherable] having [undecipherable] the measure, will strengthen him in his seat or assure a present or temporary [undecipherable]. Mr. Marshall [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to succeed me, but declined [undecipherable] having been appointed [undecipherable] Secretary of State and Mr. Dexter to that of War. I imagine to think that Mr. Marshall will decline [undecipherable] offer also, and that [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] [undecipherable] be accepted of by Mr. [undecipherable]. I inclose you a news paper of this morning containing a letter from Mr. Harper, some parts of which have relation to the subject of this Letter. Let me intreat you to pursue with more united attention your legal studies. You must rely upon the law not only as a profession, but if you are desirous of assisting your country at any crisis, or at any time, upon its being the best ladder to public notice or official station. [undecipherable] to have very [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in Baltimore next month, and [undecipherable] paying some attention to my private concerns, which have grossly suffered by [undecipherable] [undecipherable] years I [undecipherable] the neglect of them, to embrace my old employments, reading and, rural occupations. I request to be respectfully [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to Judge Elsworth [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Davie and [undecipherable] friend Mr. [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] when you can [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. And [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] continue [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] affection [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [Mr. John McHenry.]