understand that Jackson is a very
determined one, though in private life amiable and honorable. But
amiable monarchists are not safe subjects of republican confidence.
What will be the effect of his removal? How should it be timed? Who his
successor? What place can General Lyman properly occupy? Our gradual
reformations seem to produce good effects every where except in
Connecticut. Their late session of legislature has been more intolerant
than all others. We must meet them with equal intolerance. When they
will give a share in the State offices, they shall be replaced in a
share of the General offices. Till then we must follow their example.
Mr. Goodrich's removal has produced a bitter remonstrance, with much
personality against the two Bishops. I am sincerely sorry to see the
inflexibility of the federal spirit there, for I cannot believe they are
all monarchists.

I observe your tory papers make much of the Berceau. As that is one of
the subjects to be laid before Congress, it is material to commit to
writing, while fresh in memory, the important circumstances. You possess
more of these than any other person. I pray you, therefore, immediately
to state to me all the circumstances you recollect. I will aid you with
the following hints, which you can correct and incorporate. Pichon, I
think, arrived about the 12th of March. I do not remember when he first
proposed the question about the Insurgente and Berceau. On the 20th of
March, Mr. Stoddart wrote to his agent at Boston to put the Berceau
into handsome order to be restored, but whether he did that of his own
accord, or after previous consultation with you or myself, I do not
recollect. I set out for Monticello April the 1st. About that time
General Smith sent new directions to put her precisely into the state in
which she was before the capture. Do you recollect from what fund it
was contemplated to do this? I had trusted for this to Stoddart who was
familiar with all the funds, being myself entirely new in office at that
time. What will those repairs have cost? Did we not leave to Le Tombe to
make what allowance he thought proper to the officers, we only advancing
money on his undertaking repayment? I shall hope to receive from you as
full a statement as you can make. It may be useful to inquire into the
time and circumstances of her being dismantled. When you shall have
retraced the whole matter in your memory, would it not be well to make
a summary statement of