I thank you for your’s of the 9 Inst:— The President’s Speech meets with general approbation— his message has produced here its natural and proper Effect. M Dallas’s Statement is defended by some— others call it subterfuge and harder names— I think it as artful as the Subject ^and his Design^ would

well admit. Mr. Jeffersons Report should be, and perhaps is among the Papers referred to in the Message— its publication appears to me very adviseable.1 Mr Benson has heard of others to whom Dallas declared the same thing— he will write to you on the Subject— I think it important that in this Case the Truth should shine, not behind a Cloud however thin, but bright and with as few spots as possible. The Governmt. as well as they who endeavour to support it, will derive Strength from it. When the Evidence is all produced Mr Dallas’s Statement should not escape careful and critical animadversion.

Genet is by this Time at Philada.— prior to the arrival of the message, his Friends “To shew their Respect for him” had subscribed for a Dinner— The Message came— they were puzzled— he went away the Morning of the Dinner— accompanied to the Boat by a number of frenchmen on Horseback. The Chiefs were absent from the Dinner— I have heard that Lamb, Denning, &c. and a number of Livingstons, (not the Chancellor) were at it. It is thought that his abrupt Departure was the Result of Concert.

The present Session appears to me to call for more than ordinary Vigilance Circumspection and Decision on the part of those who wish for the Continuance of Peace and good order. I expect that the attack on Col. Hamilton will be renewed— if so, the malcontents should be called upon to specify their charges, which should be published— a perfect Investigation shd. then take place, and the Result in decided Terms be also published. Delay wd. injure him, and a Defeat disgrace them. I have heard it said that Gen. Knox means to resign— I very much doubt the utility of this to him, as well as to the public— to be driven from one’s Station does not accord either with my Judgmt. or Feelings. Let me remind you of Inquiries about Mrs. Gibbons— Yours,