I beg leave to present for the honor of Your acceptance, a copy of my latest Publication. I am conscious, that it contains little, if any, Novelty to a person of Your extensive reading. . . . . It is presented as a Small tribute of respect for Your Superior talents, & well Known Patriotism.—The fourth of July is near at hand, & the venerable Author of the Declaration of Independence, will not be forgotten at the approaching anniversary. . . . Nor, I trust, for centuries to come.—

Occasionally I Send Some pieces to the “National Advocate,” an ably conducted paper, printed here, & other Republican papers.—The following piece which appeared in that paper, was written in defence of my Benevolent friend, Governor Tompkins. It proved a Bar, to mr Coleman’s malignant1 attacks on that truly worthy & Patriotic Character; at least, he did not think proper to make any remarks thereon. . . — . . . . The piece previous to this, in which I introduced extracts from letters of two of my most respectable correspondants, The late Hon. Chancellor Livingston & Dr Rush, relative to party Spirit [I wrote a pamphlet on that Subject Some Years ago.]2 . . . . He, with his accustomed asperity wrote Some remarks upon that piece. . . If it would not be encroaching too much upon retirement, I Shall, at a future period, Send the piece & Coleman’s remarks thereon. . . . .

Mr Philips . .

If You think proper, You’ll oblige a patron of Your3 paper, by giving the following piece a place in Your paper, I have read a number of anecdotes; the following one, in my opinion is4 very applicable to the present State of parties in this country. A certain wealthy English Barronet, who had an only Son, a mere Dolt; his father, Sent him to Several eminent Preceptors; none of whom could make a Schollar of him,—Altho, the heir apparent to an ancient family, The father applied to the accomplished Earl of Chesterfield, to recommend5 him a proper Tutor for his Son: Chesterfield, pointed out to him Dr B— “What exclaimed the Baronet, with Surprize, don’t Your Lordship know, that B— is a whig, and a warm opposer of our Party; I can’t think of trusting my son to his care, as he might poison his mind with his own whiggish principles”6—Chesterfield replied, Dr B. . . Is a very honest & learned man; he will do justice to Your son; he has invariably adhered to his party, in the worst & best of times. .

When I was in office,7 I endeavored to retain it by every method in my power: When out of office, I tried hard to get in again: Wrote & Spoke, true or8 false, againest my opposers.

Now, me thinks, that the erudite Editor of the Evening-Post, has certainly adopted Chesterfield’s maxims, in politics; as he has for fifteen Years past, uniformly calumniated a Jefferson, a Madison & now a Tompkins: whether, from political & Selfish motives, that’s best known to himself. . . . . . I am conscious, that there are Some genuine Patriots in the Federal ranks; for instance, John Jay, &c. Whom, I Should be Sorry to See any Republican Editor abuse, as Wm Coleman, has done, the most respectable & incorruptible Patriots, on the Republican Side.

Being well10 informed of the Urbanity of Your Disposition I write with freedom,11 as I have been in the habit of doing to other [e]minent characters . . . Your good Sense will induce You to pardon the verbosity of an old man of Sixty eight Years . . . I have two Sons in the army of the U.S. one of whom (Donald) has Distinguished himself and won the approbation of his commanders: . . He received four or fiv[e] wounds, in as many different actions— . . . He has been aide camp to Generals Pike, Boyd, Porter & now to Genl Brown: He is a very felial Son, having allowed me one Dollar a Day for three Years past, out of his knowng that I have lost by misplaced confidence, the fruits of nearly a whole life of industry:—And not now able to follow my former profession; from Physical causes.