Mr L’Enfants letter of the 19th of Octr to Mr Lear—Mr Lear’s answer of the 6th instt (the press copy of which is so dull as to be scarcely legible)—in which I engrafted sentiments of admonition, & with a view also to feel his pulse under reprehension—His reply of the 10th to that letter together with the papers I put into your hands when here will give you a full view of the business; & the Majrs conduct; and will enable you to judge from the complexion of things how far he may be spoken to in decisive terms without loosing his services; which, in my opinion would be a serious misfortune. At the same time he must know, there is a line beyond which he will not be suffered to go. Whether it is zeal—An impetuous temper—or other motives that leads him into such blameable conduct I will not take upon me to decide—but be it what it will, it must be checked; or we shall have no Commissioners.1 I am always Yr Obedt & Affte