I recd. on the 19th. your Letter of the 11th. Inst.—1 The Diminution of my health since I left you, leaves me very little Reason to expect a Return of such a Degree of it, as would enable me to attend to any Business like that in Question— To undertake a Task without a Prospect and probability of performing it properly, is to deviate from the Path of prudence. The last is the only week, since I set out from Morrisania,2 in which I have not had Effusions of Bile, a pain in the Side and a slight Fever. at present I am again better. For the last four Years my Complaint increased as cold weather came on; and confined me to the House and occasionally to my chamber until late in the Spring.

Your revolutionary Services— the general Confidence in your abilities & views—your Standing in Society, and Experience in affairs—your having much to preserve or to lose—are Considerations which inspire Trust, and create Influence.

In my opinion the Presidt. of every Country, State, or national Convention should be a person fitted to recieve and employ authority—consistantly with the Laws and Constitution.— This Idea, if placed in certain Lights, may excite perplexing apprehensions, and therefore should be discreetly used. Let us have efficient Leaders, and place them where they will appear to be so. — Altho the place of Presidt. of the proposed Convention, might not be agreable to you or to Mr King, yet it is desireable that you or he consent to accept it.— important matters may be matured in a Committee of the whole House.—3

The Convention should extend their Views to what may be, as well as to what is. Prudence looks all around— before as well as behind. Measures to favor System and organization, should be adopted. Moderation but no Timidity— wisdom but no cunning, should mark their Proceedings— When the Business of the Session is finished, they should adjourn, not dissolve; and let the Presidt. be authorized to convene them, if in his Judgmt. an occasion to render it expedient should occur— Provision should be made for a new Election ^convention^ after the Expiration of the Year, in Case Affairs should then require a Convention—

It is possible that a Convention of Delegates from the Friends of Peace in all the States, or a certain portion of them, may become adviseable— a regular correspondence between the Presidents of the State Conventions should be maintained, and the state of public opinion and Feeling be seasonably ascertained and attended to.

The French will not relax their Efforts to render our nation subservient to their Designs; and their political and pecuniary means will be industriously employed to effect it. —Besides, there may perhaps be an occurrance of peculiar Circumstances inviting the use of means more palpable— This may or may not be— any thing like civil war or oppression, is to be deprecated— but it would be better to meet it as not unexpected, than be taken by Surprize, or submit to be Slaves or Victims— They who sail in Hurricane Seasons and Latitudes should be prepared and vigilant. Present my Compts. and best wishes to Mrs. Morris. Yours sincerely—