You know the opinion I formerly entertained of my friend, Mr. Adams. * * * and the Governor were the first who shook that opinion.  I afterwards saw proofs, which convicted him of a degree of vanity, and of a blindness to it, of which no germ appeared in Congress.  A seven months’ intimacy with him here and as many weeks in London, have given me opportunities of studying him closely.  He is vain, irritable, and a bad calculator of the force and probable effect of the motives which govern men.  This is all the ill which can possibly be said of him.  He is as disinterested as the Being who made him:  he is profound in his views; and accurate in his judgment, except where knowledge of the world is necessary to form a judgment.  He is so amiable, that I pronounce you will love him, if ever you become acquainted with him.  He would be, as he was, a great man in Congress.

Mr. Carmichael is, I think, very little known in America.  I never saw him, and while I was in Congress I formed rather a disadvantageous idea of him.  His letters received then showed him vain, and more attentive to ceremony and etiquette, than we suppose men of sense should be.  I have now a constant correspondence with him, and find him a little hypochondriac and discontented.  He possesses a very good understanding, though not of the first order.  I have had great opportunities of searching into his character, and have availed myself of them.  Many persons of different nations, coming from Madrid to Paris, all speak of him as in high esteem, and I think it certain that he has more of the Count de Florida Blanca’s friendship, than any diplomatic character at that court.  As long as this minister is in office, Carmichael can do more than any other person who could be sent there.

You will see Franks, and doubtless he will be asking some appointment.  I wish there may be any one for which he is fit.  He is light, indiscreet, active, honest, affectionate.  Though Bingham is not in diplomatic office, yet as he wishes to be so, I will mention such circumstances of him, as you might otherwise be deceived in.  He will make you believe he was on the most intimate footing with the first characters in Europe, and versed in the secrets of every cabinet.  Not a word of this is true.  He had a rage for being presented to great men, and had no * * * in the methods by which he could effect it. * * * * *

The Marquis de la Fayette is a most valuable auxiliary to me.  His zeal is unbounded, and his weight with those in power, great.  His education having been merely military, commerce was an unknown field to him.  But his good sense enabling him to comprehend perfectly whatever is explained to him, his agency has been very efficacious.  He has a great deal of sound genius, is well remarked by the King, and rising in popularity.  He has nothing against him, but the suspicion of republican principles.  I think he will one day be of the ministry.  His foible is a canine appetite for popularity and fame;