viting him to this country. You see by the Message, that courting popularity is his darling object, but we have convincing proof that his caressing of Paine has excited his fears. He and his family have constantly attended public worship in the Hall. On the first Sabbath before the Chaplains were elected, and when few members had arrived, Dr. Gant proposed, on Saturday, to preach the next day, when the President, his daughter and grandson, and Mr. Lewis, attended. On the third Sabbath, it was very rainy, but his ardent zeal brought him through the rain and on horseback to the Hall. Although this is no kind of evidence of any regard to religion, it goes far to prove that the idea of bearing down and overturning, our religious institutions, which, I believe, has been a favorite object, is now given up. The political necessity of paying some respect to the religion of the country is felt. Paine's venom against the character of the great Washington was occasioned by his not interfering on his behalf when he was confined in France, and any affront from Mr. Jefferson would induce the same kind of treatment. I can not believe it will be in the power of this degraded wretch to do much mischief. It is certain the more sensible Democrats here view him with contempt, and there are very few so abandoned as openly to associate with him. He lives at Lovell's hotel, who has many lodgers. The members who are there are not willing to acknowledge they have any society with him. He dines at the public table, and, as a show, is as profitable to Lovell as an Ourang Outang, for many strangers who come to the city feel a curiosity to see the creature. They go to Lovell's and call for the show-even some members of Congress have done it. I have not yet seen him, nor shall I go out of my way for the sight. He has not, I believe, been in the Hall. There has been an evident change in the conduct of Mr. Jefferson with respect to the Federal party in Congress. His first public attentions were paid to them. I happened myself to be one of the first party invited publicly to dine, and I believe most of the Federalists were invited before any of the Democrats, in the usual way. His dress has been quite decent, and, to me, he has appeared to exert himself in socia bility. But he has shown a marked neglect to Mr. Griswold and Mr. Rutledge. It is a great object with the party to get them out of Congress, but Mr. Griswold will remain two years longer, and the elections in South Carolina have not yet taken place. We have done very little business. Many members have gone to spend the holidays with their friends. On these days the Virginians do no business. Of course, nothing can be done by Congress. It is expected most of them will return in the course of this week. We shall then know something, for at present we know very little of what is to be done this session. The discriminating duties on foreign ships is to be taken off, and the Mint destroyed. There is also a bill for revising the impost laws, and it is suspected the object is to gain popularity by lowering the duties on Salt, Brown Sugar, Tea, Coffee, and increase them upon other articles. With cordial affection and esteem, Your affectionate parent, M. CUTLER. DR. JOSEPH TORREY. My Dear Sir: WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 1803. You see the Message is dressed in the most smooth and popular strains, exceedingly guarded, and artfully designed to beguile the unthinking multitude. The most exceptional part (setting aside the pompous declamation about the success of the measures of Government under the present administration) is the representations of the state of the finances. It is calculated to impose a gross deception on the public mind. It has not yet been in my power to give this subject any particular consideration. I can at present only observe that there were a greater number of outstand ing bonds paid in this year than any former time. The actual revenue of the year has decreased. But, to what is it owing that the Treasury is in so flourishing a state? Certainly not to any thing done by the present administration. They have diminished instead of increasing it. If the statements are just, all this prosperity has resulted from systems established by the Federalists. But you will hear more on this subject before Congress rises. The most interesting subject which has yet come before Congress is the communication respecting the violation of the Spanish treaty by the Governor and Intendent at New Orleans. The last, communicated on Friday, was of a very serious nature, although Smith has given the matter a different cast in his paper of that day, and his account will probably go into your papers. The doors of the House were closed during the reading and attending to this business, which lasted the most of the day. As the injunction of secrecy has not been taken off, I am not at liberty to give you any particular information. But I can consistently observe that this affair, beyond almost a possibility of a doubt, will be attended with very serious consequences to this country. It is well known that our Executive is viewed in Europe as weak and timid, and it is my opinion the time is not far distant when it will be generally acknowledged in this country. There is nothing so likely to bring about a change in the politics of the people over the mountains, and some of the Southern States, as this affair. The whole depends upon a single fact, which appears to me hardly to admit of a doubt, but possibly may be otherwise. You will see in the papers an account of what has taken place between Mr. Rutledge and Mr. Ellery. It is to be deeply regretted that so vile a practice as dueling should be countenanced by the example of our national legislature, but I am compelled to say, if ever it was justifiable, it was in this case. I have felt much for Mr. Rutledge. His case is singular; the wickedness of the abuse, if viewed in all its parts, seems unparalleled, and he had no other way of redress. He is far from being disposed to encourage duels, but he is possessed of an undaunted mind, when unjust attacks are made. General Morris, of Vermont, acted as his second, in giving the challenge, in the proposals made after Ellery refused, and was present at the fracas at the Tavern. The account given in the Washington Federalist is entirely correct, and this, I hope, will be inserted in your papers. Your affectionate parent, M. CUTLER. 1 e Sempre h daying tongue is but for a M. CUTLER. WASHINGTON, Jan. 21, 1803. Se Tere Sur of the 1st instant, in which you me memes of the past adore that good 7744 ve our past failRed She fire favors and kind Home 11am the great ends for VITICA ADE the gameses be with our bless Cast of the in which you T & 74 Lthe weather. This I IN' V But I use adess at you, this letter Carers 3: unsteady, TOLETTES TO 2 of the small s. 1nt of stent if the 12 ftably, and sonsible how much I war. which Providence had places IDE severe trials, I have stre, somly by my WI. £I ertions, what I now possess. I knew I had no one under Providence to depend on but myself. Let me remark to you upon the business on a farm in the winter, and apply it to your case. When you can not go over the ponds, could you not thresh your rye and oats; or haul the rocks, with the cart or drag, off the plow land in the farm; cut up the alders on the upland near the pond, which would help the pasture and make summer wood; go over all the apple trees, and take off all the sprouts and dry limbs; dig up, if there is but little frost, the oak stumps in the farm, which would be a saving of wood. You have more time to attend to your stock. Keep your horse-stable free from dung, for it certainly injures horses to stand in it. Virginians, who have the best in America, clean them several times in a day. Curry your horses well every day, and rub their legs. Curry your cattle well every day. Attend to your sheep; if you can spare it, begin now to give them a little corn and potatoes at least once a day. In bad weather, shell out your corn, attend to your cellar, clean it, put every thing in its place, and whitewash it. In a word, go over the land, look and see if you can do nothing to the fences, or find something to be done in other respects. Look over your nursery and trees in the garden and prune them. If the frost will permit, dig the garden. Wheel the manure where it should lie to be spread. Manure your borders and asparagus bed, if it has not been done before. By this I mean, however, only to turn your attention to these objects, that you may think over how much there is constantly to do on such a farm-far more than you can accomplish. When you have read this, let me beg you to go out to the barn and see whether, if I were to come home at that instant, I should not find some part in a dirty, bad state-horses standing in their dung, not well curried, perhaps not so carefully. fed, cattle not curried, flax not all out, or grain not all threshed? Sure I am that, if I were in your place, I should find enough to look after every day, and more than I could accomplish. But let me further observe. What would be the profit of a large farm if not well managed? The greater would be the care and the more would be the labor. I am certain a farm |