I have been so deeply employed in my message &c. that I have not had time to thank you for the feelings manifested in your last. There is a good deal in your suggestion as to the persons who would be gratified by the appointment of Mr Livingston. But I know those folks well. They are a sort of friends which you may have any quantity when you dont want them but apt to be very scarce under different circumstances. It would give me more pleasure to learn that any act of mine had been satisfactory to the few individuals of the old Federal Party who have not been so far corrupted by its modern degeneracy as forgot the genuine talents & chivalry of your father, than to receive the thanks of the whole tribe of which you speak. I should moreover have difficulties in prefering one who had not applied, to several in the City who have been very pressing unless it was in your case. I hope therefore you will upon re-consideration of allowing me the pleasure of adopting you as the saying is into my military family. If however there are objectings of any sort occurring to you you will do me the favour to be candid in stating them