Your favor of the 23. came to hand last night, & I thank you for your attention to the letter to mrs Dangerfield, whose answer I have recieved. percieving that you are rendered unquiet by the impudent falsehoods with which the newspapers have tormented the public feelings lately, in a moment of extraordinary anxiety, I must assure you that these articles are all demonstrably false, that is to say, the information of about 3. or 4. weeks ago that the ministers on both sides had given out and that all things were amicably arranged; that which followed a week after assuring us all negociation was at an end & war inevitable, that is to say, Capt. Doane’s news; & that followed a few days ago of Bonaparte’s pretended answers to queries, extending his decree to us, coming viâ Antwerp & Bordeaux. it is believed that the last was fabricated in Boston to counteract the war-news from England then afloat.   I have no doubt Monroe is coming home & that he, as well as the Revenge, may be expected about the last of the month. and I think it possible he may be the bearer of propositions for a middle ground between us, modifying what we have deemed indispensable; consequently that there will be time still employed in these things crossing & recrossing the Atlantic, during which peace may take place in Europe, which of course removes all ground of dispute between us till another war. as to the Chesapeake, there is no doubt they will make some satisfaction of some sort. this is my present idea of the present state of things with that country, but founded as you will percieve on possibilities only and conjectures, which one week may ascertain. I salute you with great friendship & respect.