Dear Sir,

Yours of the 8th came to hand yesterday.  I was not aware of any necessity of going on to Philadelphia immediately, yet I had determined to do it as a mark of respect to the public, and to do away the doubts which have spread, that I should consider the second office as beneath my acceptance.  The journey, indeed, for the month of February, is a tremendous undertaking for me, who have not been seven miles from home since my re-settlement.  I will see you about the rising of Congress; and presume I need not stay there a week.  Your letters written before the 7th of February will still find me here.  My letters inform me that Mr. Adams speaks of me with great friendship, and with satisfaction in the prospect of administering the government in concurrence with me.  I am glad of the first information, because though I saw that our ancient friendship was affected by a little leaven, produced partly by his constitution, partly by the contrivance of others, yet I never felt a diminution of confidence in his integrity, and retained a solid affection for him.  His principles of government I knew to be changed, but conscientiously changed.  As to my participating in the administration, if by that he meant the executive cabinet, both duty and inclination will shut that door to me.  I cannot have a wish to see the scenes of 1793 revived as to myself, and to descend daily into the arena like a gladiator, to suffer martyrdom in every conflict.  As to duty, the constitution will know me only as the member of a legislative body:  and its principle is, that of a separation of legislative, executive, and judiciary functions, except in cases specified.  If this principle be not expressed in direct terms, yet it is clearly the spirit of the constitution, and it ought to be so commented and acted on by every friend to free government.

I sincerely deplore the situation of our affairs with France.  War with them, and consequent alliance with Great Britain, will completely compass the object of the executive council, from the commencement of the war between France and England; taken up by some of them from that moment, by others, more latterly.  I still, however, hope it will be avoided.  I do not believe Mr. Adams wishes war with France; nor do I believe he will truckle to England as servilely as has been done.  If he assumes this front at once, and shows that he means to attend to self-respect and national dignity with both the nations, perhaps the depredations of both on our commerce may be amicably arrested.  I think we should begin first with those who first began with us, and, by an example on them, acquire a right to re-demand the respect from which the other party has departed.