The interest I feel in every thing which concerns your Charracter will I hope serve as an Apology for my presenting to your view a paragraph in the inclosed circular Letter against which I have drew my pen, I hope I shall be pardoned when I say that the Sentiment there expressed is more or less in the mouths of your best friends—I have been a friend to General Wilkinson for near 30 years I felt a glow of pleasure last year when I heard of his appointment which was instantly succeeded by a doubt of the propriety of that appointment, this doubt I endeavourd to suppress in my circular & private letters. I recomended him to the people of Louisiania & endeavour’d to transfer to him any little Share of popularity I might have there, I am not in the habit of deserting those I profess friendship to,—however under existing circumstances I am inclined to think an order to the General to remove to some place nearer to the Spanish Frontier where he could conveniently direct the opperations of the different detachments & watch the movements of the Spanish forces would give great satisfaction to the friends of the administration his place might then be filled more unexceptionably & the murmur pass away—

Your goodness will I hope pardon the sugestion & impute this to its true motive coming from one who is with attachment & respect your very hbe Servt