follies have been great, long, and inflicted on a body emaciated with
age, and exhausted by excesses beyond its power to bear. July 1, 1806.




LETTER XXXIV.--TO MR. BIDWELL, July 5, 1806


TO MR. BIDWELL.

Washington, July 5, 1806.

Sir,

Your favor of June the 21st has been duly received. We have not as yet
heard from General Skinner on the subject of his office. Three persons
are proposed on the most respectable recommendations, and under
circumstances of such equality as renders it difficult to decide between
them. But it shall be done impartially. I sincerely congratulate you on
the triumph of republicanism in Massachusetts. The Hydra of Federalism
has now lost all its heads but two. Connecticut I think will soon follow
Massachusetts. Delaware will probably remain what it ever has been, a
mere county of England, conquered indeed, and held under by force, but
always disposed to counter-revolution. I speak of its majority only.

Our information from London continues to give us hopes of an
accommodation there on both the points of 'accustomed commerce and
impressment.' In this there must probably be some mutual concession,
because we cannot expect to obtain every thing and yield nothing. But