to find that
one of its principal defects (the want of a declaration of rights) will
pretty certainly be remedied. I suppose this, because I see that
both people and conventions, in almost every State, have concurred in
demanding it. Another defect, the perpetual re-eligibility of the
same President, will probably not be cured, during the life of General
Washington. His merit has blinded our countrymen to the danger of making
so important an officer re-eligible. I presume there will not be a vote
against him, in the United States. It is more doubtful, who will be
Vice-President. The age of Dr. Franklin, and the doubt whether he would
accept it, are the only circumstances that admit a question, but that he
would be the man. After these two characters of first magnitude, there
are so many which present themselves equally, on the second line, that
we cannot see which of them will be singled out. John Adams, Hancock,
Jay, Madison, Rutledge, will be all voted for. Congress has acceded to
the prayer of Kentucky to become an independent member of the Union. A
committee was occupied in settling the plan of receiving them, and their
government is to commence on the 1st day of January next.

You are, I dare say, pleased, as I am, with the promotion of our
countryman, Paul Jones. He commanded the right wing, in the first
engagement between the Russian and Turkish galleys; his absence from
the second, proves his superiority over the Captain Pacha, as he did not
choose to bring his ships into the shoals in which the Pacha ventured,
and lost those entrusted to him. I consider this officer as the
principal hope of our future efforts on the ocean. You will have heard
of the action between the Swedes and Russians, on the Baltic; as yet,
we have only the Swedish version of it. I apprehend this war must catch
from nation to nation, till it becomes general.

With respect to the internal affairs of this country, I hope they will
be finally well arranged, and without having cost a drop of blood.
Looking on as a by-stander, no otherwise interested, than as
entertaining a sincere love for the nation in general, and a wish to see
their happiness promoted, keeping myself clear of the particular
views and passions of individuals, I applaud extremely the patriotic
proceedings of the present ministry. Provincial Assemblies established,
the States General called, the right of taxing the nation without their
consent abandoned, _corvees_ abolished,