truth, so long her citizens, oft as the name of Washington occurs, shall feel their own virtues reinforced, and blush at corruption: even depravity itself shall feel a dignified pride from the reflected honor to have been born in a country which bore such a son.

Treachery and fraud will be repulsed at the idea that the spirit of Washington witnesses their intrigues. America has lost a friend and a father. Heaven has acquired an ornament and a son.

N. B. Do not forget to send me a register. The object is not so much to know the "new moons and appointed feasts," as the departments of State, war, navy, members of Congress, promotions, depressions, bills of mortality, births, marriages, revivals of religion, extraordinary instances of conversions to federalism, epigrams anecdotes, recipes to cure the bite of mad dogs, mad politicians, and rattle snakes, (they are all a bite,) the sting of scorpions, plague and hypo; and such other useful and wise matters as "the gentleman's annual pocket remembrancer" generally contains.

TO MR. PICKERING. (Private.)

Tunis, July 21st, 1800.

THE morning next succeeding the departure of his Danish Majesty's Consul General, the Danish Masters of vessels, then captured, six in number, came in a body and desired me to redeem their vessels. It was understood that they could opon a credit in Leghorn. I accordingly went to the minister, and proposed, in my own name, to purchase the Danish vessels. He closed with the proposal and appointed his agent. I examined the vessels; (they had not been then plundered ;) and made an offer. He demanded time to deliberate. In the interim the Danish Captains discovered ap prehensions of danger in pursuing the project. My word was passed; and my only hope rested in refusal of my bid on the part of the Government.

Famin overbid me.

Government reported, by their agent, his bid. To which I replied that I consider ed the business at an end on my part, because I was fixed in my first bid. The next day I departed for Biserte but had been but twelve hours there when a message arrived expressing the astonishment of the government at my departure, because their agent had received orders to close with my offer. I returned immediately; finished the bargain, and fixed on the mode of payment. I now reported the business to the Danish Captains; but they failed altogether. I now found myself in possession of six vessels, purchased on credit, in a situation by no means eligible.

To MRS. EATON.

Tunis, August 15th, 1800.

YOU will probably feel anxious to know by every occasion, the situation of my health and affairs, particularly as you may have heard that the plague is in this city. With satisfaction I announce to you that we are no longer alarmed by that destroyer. It is now six days since any accident has happened; and we have a flattering hope that the malady has subsided altogether. I am, thank God, in perfect health. My affairs are on a good footing: my prospects flattering. My resolutions to return to America next spring fixed.

Being charged with the affairs of the Danish na tion, I redeemed six prise vessels for their Captains; but they, failing in payment, have abandoned the vessels to me. If no unforeseen accident befal me, we may count on a speculation here of ten thousand dollars, on a moderate calculation: and the business conducted on the broadest principles of equity and honor. I purchased on credit, of the Government of Tunis. No man has, at this moment, more credit nor influence here than the American Consul. After a year of the most anxious perplexity and concern,

fortune began to play into my hands, and the fickle Goddess has almost persuaded me that she will not immediately change sides. I shall be careful to add my exertions to hers; and without some unforeseen impediment, I know not why we may not keep company till I may have the felicity to consign the product of our enterprises to a Lady of a much more stable and constant character than Dame Fortune. In short, if I should happen to make a handsome property here, I trust no candid commentator will say I have not merited it.

Does any body know in America what has caused the removal of my respected, loved, honored friend Mr. Pickering? It is impossible, if any thing is impossible, that he should be capable of malfeasance of office. Pray let me know what common fame says on the subject. I lament his disgrace; for I cannot, without strong reasons, believe he has merited it. If that man be not faithful and just, I will no more hope to find an honest man among the race of beings on whom God is said to have stamped his own image.

To Mr. PICKERING.

Tunis, November 4th, 1800.

MY conjecture has been on the rack and turned bankrupt on the subject of your removal. A suspicion of delinquency cannot have a moment's existence for, if this were true, the chief Magistrate would not lose a moment in justifying himself to the public by exposing facts. It is not impossible that such a sacrifice may have been thought necessary to the security of an impending election. Gen. Marshal, it is presumed, has more influence to the southward than his predecessor. And who can say that this election may not be necessary to the safety of the state? And if so" it is expedient that one man should die for the people; and that the whole nation perish not!" But however necessary such an election

may be to the safety of the state, I am apprehensive the measure, resorted to in order to secure it, will defeat its own object. Aristides will be Aristides still; and the very faction who were tired of hearing him called the just will honor in exile whom they dreaded in office; and detest the hand that has wronged him; for however fond men are of pushing their resentments and carrying their measures by all means, they cannot but hate the instrument of injustice which favors them. The chief magistrate, however upright may have been his motives, will add nothing to his interest from opposition; while he hazards to alienate his supporters by an act which admits a suspicion of sinister rather than patriotic views.

To MRS. EATON.

Turis, November 6th, 1800.

MY last letter was dated 15th August. In that I mentioned that I had redeemed six Danish prize vessels. But I have restored them again to their original proprietors. Ask you why? Because there is more pleasure in being generous than rich. I could undoubtedly have saved eight or ten thousand dollars by the speculation. But, " man wants but little, nor that little long." I have had the pleasure of seeing eighty six unhappy captives embark in these vessels and shape their course for their native country.

After I had resigned the Danish affairs into the hands of their proper Agent, I received from the Admiral, charged with a commission to arrange existing difficulties, the following letter, viz.

"On board the Factor in the Road of Tunis. September 27th, 1800.

SIR,

I should neglect my duty if, before leaving this Road, I should refuse myself the honor and

the pleasure to repeat to you how grateful I am for the services you have had the goodness to render my king and country, both at the time of our misintelligence with Tunis and at the instant of negociating a truce; in the first case by regarding with singular care his subjects in chains here; in the second by aiding with your light the measures necessary to produce the desired accommodation. I am here but the organ of my sovereign, to whom I have already, by my first reports, communicated what you have done for us. The multitude of objects to him then submitted did not allow me to extend this subject to the extent of my wishes; but certainly I shall not fail by the first occasion to finish the agreeable part I have begun. And I flatter myself, Sir, on my return here to be specially charged by his Majesty to give you assurances of his sense of obligation. Have the goodness in the mean time, Sir, to accept the particular assurance of my personal gratitude, as well for the influence you have been pleased to use during the course of the negociation of which a happy issue is the effect, as also for the great politeness you have shown myself and gentlemen under my orders attached to the service of his Danish Majesty.

With perfect esteem and consideration,
I have the honor to be,

Sir, your most humble

and very obliged servant.
(Signed) KOEFAED.

To Mr. WILLIAM EATON,

Consul of the United States of America at Tunis.”

The following extract of a letter from Mr. Cathcart to Mr. Eaton, unfolds a curious trait of Mahometan intolerance and superstition.

Tripoli, Feb. 17th, 1800.

CAPT. MARCO being detained here by

contrary winds, gives me an opportunity of informing