I was infinitely obliged by your kind Letter. (1) That Calumny directs her Shafts against me I believe. That Innocence alone is not a sufficient safe Guard I know. But I also know that Appeals to the Public on such Subjects by no Means remove the Ill Effects of the Attacks which are made. At the same Time it is inconsistent with the Office I hold to appear on the Public Stage agt. every one who shall amuse himself with Defamation. Be not however uneasy for your Friend. I venture to assure you that he will rise from the Stroke and pity the Envy of his Foes. The Tales circulated among the People I can trace back to Men who having inlisted themselves under the Banners of Faction & being disappointed in their Views burn with deadly Hate and seek Revenge in low Abuse and vilainous Insinuation. You will oblige me if whenever any Member of Congress or other makes free with my Reputation you will question him as to Facts and Evidence. It would give me great Pleasure to fix upon some Scoundrel the deep Lie and open all his Infamy to his own View.

   That Congress should leave this Place I fully agree & have long been of that Opinion but there must be a Majority for it and for some other Place, two very difficult Things.