Encloses copies of his eulogy on James Monroe and an address delivered by him to the town inhabitants on the 4th of July last. Has heard of William's intention to publish a biography on John Jay; regrets that distance has prevented a better acquaintance with his children. An immense disproportion of Franklin's virtues was concentrated in prudence; his life exemplifies the line: Nullum Numen abest s i sit Prudentia. There is a moral philosophy of a higher order than this. He signed the Treaty of Peace with Britain but gave Vergennes to understand that the withholding of the contents was against his will. He had a "language official, and a language confidential." This was never said of Jay; his prudence, though scarcely less than Franklin's, had another foundation.
Subjects
United States--History--1783-1865; Jay, John, 1745-1829