I have endeavoured yesterday to obtain a moment to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st and its enclosures, but really I am more pressed with business, and office hunters, than I have been throughout the session of Congress, and my health feeble since you left me. The death of my old friend judge Overton, just announced, who took his flight on the 12th. instant, has added to my want of good spirits, and not <calculated> for some time to add to the recovery of my health. His change is a happy one, he was worn down with illhealth & affliction of body, and is gone where the wicked cease to trouble, & the weary are at rest, peace to his mones.

I have read both they letters you enclosed to me. The one on the Banks, is a good production and altho there are some errors in his views still there are much goodsense worthy of recollection. That of Mr Glendendorf on the subject of the public Lands & Mr Clays bill for raising a surpluss revenue, I deem too selfish, for recommendation. These politicians who would lay aside the great principles of our constitution, and from selfish views adopt a policy in open violation of its principles, that will lead to the destruction of our happy government, one dangerous guides to us, who take the constitution for our guide, and public good, & the durability of our pure republican system our end in view. I cannot therefore adopt his views regardless of any consequences that he may apprehend. I therefore return both letters. Mr P. on no account ought to be destroyed, for a time may come when this letter may be of importance to shew his opinions, and the pernicious consequences if they were adopted, and that he would not be a faithful sentinel on the watch tower of our republic.

I am happy to hear that our mutual friend Forsythe is contented with the prospect in view. His objections to sending out a minister to France must have <illegible> without taking a full view of the subject, reasons of importance exist, & which it is the <Exectives> duty to embrace.

You must recollect that on the last evening of the session Mr Clays Tariff was passed. There was no time to deliberate upon its details. In that bill the duty on Brandy & wines, & French silks, are reduced very much. The duty upon our Tobacco is a great grievance to the south & west on the <exports>. The time now offers when it can be pressed upon them with great force ^by stating to them, that^ unless that government makes some ^reciprocal^ arrangements on that subject, or strong assurances that satisfactory arrangements will be made, that I will recommend to next congress to increase the duties on their Brandy, wine & silks. Now is the time to arrange that matter next in importance to that of our seamen. In addition, we are advised that up to the last dates, no appropriation had been made by France to meet the payment of the debts under the late Treaty and great difficulty was apprehended in the appropriation. This of itself not being known ^on the adjournment of congress^ would justify us to send out a minister to attend to this alone, both together, form <only> that it would be criminal for us to overlook. Therefore Mr. L. will go out in june. You will be surprised to see that our friend Trist is going to the Havanna, & Mr Brent in time is going abroad. I can say no more at present, only to say to you, my family ^now^ with me, are well & greet you with their kind salutations. Present mine to your sons, & accept of my prayers for your health & prosperity.