This day I had the favor of yours of the 6th of last November—to hear from you always gives Lady Newenham and me real pleasure, but I feel much Concerned at your State of Health—that Health so essentialy necessary for your Country, at the moment of Compleating your Constitution for the American Continent—no Citizen in your Confederated States can have warmer wishes, that I have, for the Properity of that Grand Republic.

But, my Dear Friend, you ought to form a Navy. The Temper, the Politics of European Powers may Change. A Continental War may make new and Extraordinary Alliances in Europe. At present you see British Clubs, addressing a French National Assembly—Prussia Supporting Priests and Monks in the Low-Countries. Out of this Chaos, History may record Extraordinary Changes in the System of European Policy. American ought to be prepared. New York and Boston ought to adopt the best of Vaughans plans of fortification. Bunker’s-hill should become a second Gibraltar. The Harbour of Rhode Island ought to be made impregnable against the Entrance of Ships of War—perhaps these Ideas may be deemed Romantic, but they proceed from an unalterable regard for the Welfare of America—which will be my sentiments during my Life, and I hope, of my Posterity.

According to your Directions I immediatly forwarded the letter to Mrs. Rosanna Redman Rathdrum, near Wecklow, and informed her, that I would forward her Answer to your house.

Our Parliament is to meet in a few days—a more respectable opposition to bad Measures never appeared in any Parliament; it is Instituted on Whig Principles and the real Independance of Ireland; it is composed of the Men of the first    Property in the house of Commons and the Bulk of the Nation; we Confused our late imperious Nice-roy, but that, in my opinion was not Enough, while we were the Majority we ought to have impeached him. He dismissed a Number of Men (holding High Employment) for voting against him. He descended so low, as to carry his Revenge to Men in office, who were not in Parliament.

By way of Joke, a Lady told Lady Newenham that her Freind Mr. Jay was dead, and Left her a Ring as a Legacy in his will—to which Lady Newenham said “to be remembred in that Manner, however small the Token, is to me the highest Compliment, I would rather have a ring from any of the Great Characters of America, than ten-fold its Value from a Monarch in Europe.” So confident was Lady Newenham of it, that she desired I would write to Know the truth of it, but the Lady undecieved her.

By the last accounts from Paris, all seems quiet except in the Quake Vallies, where the People will not pay the Taxes and are riotous; the National Assembly have nearly compleated their Laws, and acquainted the King thereof, their Address and his Answer are pointed, but the Queens Answer is Ambiguous—she does not relish their Conduct, and flatters herself, that her Brother will soon be able to restore her to her Quondan despotic State.

The Brabanters carry all before them—as yet—but if Joseph gets rid of the Turkish war, he will pour in his whole force, against them. The Union of the Belgic Provinces may possibly obtain the Sanction of Prussia, England and Holland—and Consequently originate on her opean General War—all Depends on Joseph’s making a Peace. The Turks have left much. Their Ministry seem decayed. The Standard of Mahomet is displayed in Vain. It has not half the Powers that the Display (in the Reign of Chivalry) and the Exposition of the Cross had in the Holy Wars.

It is now 18 Days Since I wrote to Mrs. Rosanna Redman and directed my Letter to Rathdrun, but have not received any Answer—so I fear—that person is not, now, Alive; however I shall write to the Post Master to know, whether such a Person lives in or near that Town—and acquaint you of the Result.

Yesterday I saw your old Freind Mr: Deane, who enquired affectionately for you—he has a Vote in this County, Dublin, but never votes for me; he always Votes for the Ministerial Candidate.

This is the most forward season Ever Known in the Memory of Man in this Kingdom, and which our farmers deem a bad omen of the rest of the year. We had very little frost, and only one Days Slight Snow—the trees are budding and a Spring appears in the Meadows, three Week’s before the usual Time—a serene Sky and mild weather have Succeeded Tunder, Storms and Rain.

To you, my Ever respected and Dear Friend, my Letters must appear tedious. I have not Abilities to Correspond with you in your Line. I cannot treat on the Arts and Sciences. I am confined to a Little Politics, planting and Laying down Ground. I spend 3 part out of 4 of the Day, in planting and Improving a Bad and Ungracious soil. The Butter Nutts and Hiccory that Colonel Wadsworth sent me from Connecticut are growing most Amazingly—perhaps they Like the Congenial Soil.

You do [not?] mention, whether you got the two Irish Carrs, that I sent you from Galway about 18 Months agoe; I saw them packed and put on Board Ship with 12 Barrells of good Hay seed for his Excellency George Washington.

What a situation—how Noble does our Freind the Marquis de La Fayette appear? he is the Washington of Europe. If France had a Franklin for the Civil Government, all would be Compleat—but Providence has not rendered the Liberties of Europe Compleat for want of Such a Character.

I Need not repeat any thing of French Politics; you have them regularily in your papers long before any of this Kingdom can reach you.

Lady Newenham whose ardent wishes always attend you and your grandson, joins me in most Sincere and affectionate Respect and Regards. I have the Honor, to be, with perfect Esteem Your Excellency’s Most obedient and faithfull Humble Servant