I had the pleasure of receiving your letter written immediately after your return from Philadelphia and am much obliged by your kind enquiries for “The Calm Observer.” I now believe that those papers were never in the pamp[h]let form, or if ever so published, are no longer to be found. I will thank you, if General Washington ever took & preserved that precious deposit of democratic patriotism. The Aurora, to examine those¹ of the summer of 1796 for the essays under the signature of “The Calm Observer” & let me know the dates of the first and last number. Indeed I should be very desirous of getting the file. I fear however that you have not the papers. I wrote to Mr Hopkinson in April requesting him to give me this information, but have received no answer & suppose my letter has miscarried. These essays are alone wanting to completely my revision of the 5th volume. The preceding volumes are entirely prepared, Should the publication take place I could wish the edition not by any means to exceed the demand. I should think 1000 copies a sufficient number. Mr Wayne however will judge of this. I presume there will be no difficulty in furnishing us with the number of copies we wish for our friends.

I think it would be better to place such letters to General Washington as you shall select for publication in the order in which it would be desirable to read them. May not this be effected by copying them in a separate volume and affixing to each a note or memorandum referring to the letter next to which the printer is to insert it? If the press be properly superintended I should think this might be done without much hazard of confusion.

I have been sorry to see in the papers your unpleasant altercation with some members of Congress. I think those gentlemen <mutilated>t have been informed of your decision respecting these sunday visits or they would not have attempted a violation of rules your perfect right to establish which can as little be questioned as their propriety. Farewell. I am your affectionate