I have received the honour of your letter of the 16th instant, accompanyed with a Paper, in which You have proved, by a short train of clear [satisf]actory reasoning, that the elective Fran[ch]ise now enjoyed by the small Boroughs in England, is not an absolute Right, which can only be forfeited on conviction of misusage; but that it is a privilege conferred upon them in different periods of our history, with partiality and in a manner injurious to the common Right of Representation; and consequently that it is a privilege justly resumable by the State, without the consent of such Boroughs previously obtained, without any previous proof of their delinquency, or any compensation for their abolished Franchise: at the same time You have admitted the expediency, in the present state of our Constitution, and under the various disadvantages attending an attempt to restore it, that a pecuniary offer should be proposed, as an inducement to the small Boroughs, to make a voluntary surrender of their obnoxious privilege.

Accept, Sir, my best thanks for this very kind communication of your sentiments on a subject of much importance to the happiness of England. From their own intrinsic solidity those sentiments must have great weight with every unprejudiced mind, even if it should be thought advisable not to apprise the Public. They are the sentiments of a Man, to whose ability and persevering virtue the American States are principally indebted for their political Salvation. But highly as I esteem the wisdom of your opinion and advice, I place a still higher value on that philanthropy, which has induced You to bestow so much attention on this subject, in the midst of your many urgent avocations, when just on the point of leaving Europe to return to America. I consider this not only as a mark of your general benevolence, but as a proof that your peculiar good-will to England, lately our Common Country, has neither been diminished by any personal disgust, nor impaired by the hostilities of an unhappy Civil War. And I trust that on this occasion, your benevolence has not been misplaced; since the Advocates for a Reformation of the English Parliament, have been, I believe, without exception, zealous opponents of the American War; and the success of their attempt to improve the Constitution of England, may possibly conduct our two Countries, in due time, to that modifyed Reunion which recent events will admit, and which You seem to agree with me in thinking would be equally honourable and advantageous to Both. I am Sir with high respect your obliged and most obedient Servant