Your favor from West Point reached me yesterday. You aremistaken as to how much a man can do for himself. The newspapers of today will show you what a body of men can do against themselves. (1)Arthur Lee is recalled by an authenticated newspaper which will reachhim accidentally, before any official information can go in the usual anddecent course. So that if Jay is taken, or drowned, we shall have a totalsuspension of negotiations for a time. Will you not think it strange afterwhat I see, that I should have an idea of being willing to go with Mr. J. A.in case D refuses? (2) As it is precarious in regard to D 's Situation, I wishI had been chosen in the first place. I know your idea is for France, but Ishould have the most implacable enemies there who think they have aright of occupancy in the Secretaryship. Besides the latter is residentiary,the former temporary. (3)

   Our Gazette says nothing of the killed and wounded yesterdaybefore Wilson's door and in his house. I am told Capt Campbell of theInvalids, a one handed officer, was killed and General Mifflin's brotherwounded in the house-that (4) were killed and several wounded in thestreet. A party of armed men had some Tory characters on parade throughthe Streets. Wilson is said to have expected a visit and to have forearmedhimself and a collected number. Whether an attack was made fromwithout, or whether provocations indiscretely were made from within, Icannot tell; two stories as usual, are circulated. If you are in Boston youwill know all I have written to Mr J & S Adams, Mr Dana or Dr Cooper; ifyou are not there Peabody will give you at Portsmouth all the manoeuvresof Chesnut St. I have not yet seen the Tall Boy;4 the Tall Man (5) gooduncle Roger arrived the day after the Sacrifice. He is "shocked at theIngratitude of that proceeding."

   New Hampshire was the only State for A. L., our's was dividedwith R. I., Penna. and South Carolina.

   I declared openly that I did not approve Mr. J's conduct in theChair-some others followed me in like declarations, but I would not go tothe dirty work of Yeas and Nays and urged that, if a majority were sodisposed, he might receive a Formality.

   And now let me conceive you at Portsmouth with all youraffectations of indifference to what has been the object of the wishes ofthe bravest Generals in History to say nothing of the wise King Solomonand the good King David. Are you not, even in that State, better off thanyour friend here brimfull of Sensibilities, and in a two pair of stairschamber alone? Need I add to the contrast of our situations, thecircumstance of your being where molasses is under £20 per gallon.

    Yours J. L.