University of Virginia Library

TO EDMUND RANDOLPH.

My dear friend,—Your favour of the 17th inst:
inclosing a letter from Mr. Jones and a copy of the
ecclesiastical Journal, came safe to hand. If I do not
dislike the contents of the latter, it is because they
furnish as I conceive fresh and forcible arguments
against the Genl. Assessment. It may be of little
consequence, what tribunal is to judge of Clerical misdemesnors
or how firmly the incumbent may be fastened
on the parish, whilst the Vestry & people may
hear & pay him or not as they like. But should a
legal salary be annexed to the title, this phantom of
power would be substantiated into a real monster of

oppression. Indeed it appears to be so at present as
far as the Glebes & donations extend. I had seen
some parcels of these proceedings before I recd. your
letter, and had remarked the sprinklings of liberality
to which you allude. My conjectures, I believe, did
not err as to the quarter from which they came.

The urgency of Genl. W. in the late negociation with
Maryland makes it probable I think that he will feel
some chagrin at the inattention to that with Penna,
which has a much nearer connection with his favorite
object and was moreover suggested by himself.
Shortly after the date of my last, I dropped a few
lines to Col: Mason, reminding him that some report
will be expected from the Commissioners by the Assembly,
as well as of the real importance of the business.
I have not yet recd any answer; and begin to
suspect that my letter may have miscarried. Your
information leads me to doubt whether he has ever
been furnished with a copy of the Resolution under
which he is to proceed. I will write to him again and
inclose one which Mr, Jones sent me.

I have a letter from the Marquis, but dated as far
back as March. It was accompanied with a Copy of
a French Memorial to the Emperor which seems to
have stifled the War in its birth; and an Extract
from a late work of Mr. Neckar which has made him
the idol of one party in France and the execration of
the other. To avoid the trouble of transcribing, I
send them as they came to me. You can peruse &
return them by my brother who is the bearer of this,
or by any future opportunity. The M. says he is

doing all he can to forward our claim to the Mississippi;
that the French Ministry understand the matter
& are well disposed; but that they are apprehensive
"Spain knows not how to give up what she once has."

I had heard of the strictures on the incorporating
Act, but without being able to pick up any of the
papers in which they are published. I have desired
my brother to search them out if he can. Perhaps
you can refer him to the proper press & numbers.

At the instance of Col. N-l-s[36] of A-b-le, I undertook
the draught of the inclosed remonstrance agst. the
Genl Asst. Subscriptions to it are on foot I believe
in sundry Counties, and will be extended to others.
My choice is that my name may not be associated
with it. I am not sure that I know precisely your
ideas on this subject; but were they more variant
from mine than I take them to be I should not be
restrained from a confidential communication.

I keep up my attention as far as I can command
my time, to the course of reading which I have of late
pursued & shall continue to do so. I am however far
from being determined ever to make a professional
use of it. My wish is if possible to provide a decent
& independent subsistence, without encountering the
difficulties which I foresee in that line. Another of
my wishes is to depend as little as possible on the
labour of slaves. The difficulty of reconciling these
views, has brought into my thoughts several projects
from which advantage seemed attainable. I have in
concert with a friend here, one at present on the

Anvil which we think cannot fail to yield a decent
reward for our trouble. Should we persist in it, it
will cost me a ride to Philada, after which it will go
on without my being ostensibly concerned. I forbear
to particularize till I can do it ore tenus. Should I
take this ride I may possibly continue it into the
Eastern States; Col Monroe having given me an invitation
to take a ramble of curiosity this fall, which
I have half a mind to accept, and among otther routes
named this. I recollect that you talked yourself of a
trip last Spring as far as Lancaster. Have you laid
it aside totally? Or will your domestic endearments
forbid even the trip to Bath, from which I promised
myself the happiness of taking you by the hand in
Orange? Give my warmest respects to Mrs. R, and
be assured that I remain, with sincere affection your
friend.

Was the Royal assent ever given to the act of 1769,
entitled "An Act to amend an Act entitled, an Act
declaring the law concerning Extions & for relief of
insolvent Debtors."