I first met with it at Bladensburg, and for a moment conceived I must take the field of the public papers.  I could not disavow it wholly, because the greatest part was mine in substance, though not in form.  I could not avow it as it stood, because the form was not mine, and, in one place, the substance very materially falsified.  This, then, would render explanations necessary; nay, it would render proofs of the whole necessary, and draw me at length into a publication of all (even the secret) transactions of the administration, while I was of it:  and embroil me personally with every member of the executive, with the judiciary, and with others still.  I soon decided in my own mind, to be entirely silent.  I consulted with several friends at Philadelphia, who, every one of them, were clearly against my avowing or disavowing, and some of them conjured me most earnestly to let nothing provoke me to it.  I corrected in conversation with them, a substantial misrepresentation in the copy published.  The original has a sentiment like this (for I have it not before me), ’They are endeavoring to submit us to the substance, as they already have to the forms of the British government;’ meaning by forms, the birth-days, levees, processions to parliament, inauguration pomposities, fee.  But the copy published says, ’as they have already submitted us to the form of the British,’ &c.; making me express hostility to the form of our government, that is to say, to the constitution itself.  For this is really the difference of the word form, used in the singular or plural, in that phrase, in the English language.  Now it would be impossible for me to explain this publicly, without bringing on a personal difference between General Washington and myself, which nothing before the publication of this letter has ever done.  It would embroil me also with all those with whom his character is still popular, that is to say, nine tenths of the people of the United States; and what good would be obtained by avowing the letter with the necessary explanations?  Very little indeed, in my opinion, to counterbalance a good deal of harm.  From my silence in this instance, it cannot be inferred that I am afraid to own the general sentiments of the letter.  If I am subject to either imputation, it is to that of avowing such sentiments too frankly both in private and public, often when there is no necessity for it, merely because I disdain every thing like duplicity.  Still, however, I am open to conviction.  Think for me on the occasion, and advise me what to do, and confer with Colonel Monroe on the subject.

Let me entreat you again to come with him; there are other important things to consult on.  One will be his affair.  Another is the subject of the petition now enclosed to you, to be proposed to our district, on the late presentment of our representative by the grand jury:  the idea it brings forward is still confined to my own breast.  It has never been mentioned to any mortal, because I first wish