M. Jefferson and M. le Veillard brought me news of you, my dear and illustrious colleague; the latter showed me the letter in which you announced your nomination for the office of President of Pennsylvania, and I admired your decision to undertake such an exhausting employment, but one in which you will work efficiently for the good of Pennsylvania, and for that of the other states, upon which yours will be sure to have a strong influence. I know that two powerful and almost equal parties promote different principles to form the basis for the Constitution; no one is better equipped than you to bring these two parties together, and to obtain, if not the most perfect Constitution, then at least, as Solon said, the best of which your compatriots are capable.

Here is the critical moment for the Americans—the reestablishment of the peace and the certainty of independence require a general revision of all their laws, and the creation of new codes, not slavishly copied from English laws, but dictated by reason, in keeping with their current situation, and fit to assure the good of both states and individuals. You should be the leaders in legislation for the rest of the world, which expects to learn these important lessons from you.

One must be brief with busy people, so I will conclude my letter with the regards of my entire family, to which M. de Condorcet asks to add his own. May you live long, and enjoy good health: this is the common wish of all those who have only heard of you; those who have had the advantage of knowing you add the wish that you save them a place in your precious friendship; I daresay I believe I deserve this a little, my dear and illustrious colleague, for the sincere attachment and respect with which I am filled for you,