57 My Dear Simms, Baltimore, 4th December, 1804 I think in the course of the last five or six weeks I had the pleasure of writing you, since which, none of yuor much esteemed letters have reached me. I still hold the same opinion with regard to the removal of yourself & family to this country, which I then expressed. The various accounts we receive from different parts of Europe give every reason to conclude, that the present warfare, will, in the course of the ensuing Summer, extend itself generally through Europe. of course trade & security of property will experience much inconvenience & hasard. The prudent merchant will venture into trade but in a very small scale. His profits will be at least inconsiderable, at all events they will be pre- carious, Your military & naval establishmants will keep up, or rather increased taxes willnot diminish, & civil liberty will not experience any extension. Under such circumstances a resfdence in a country far remover frm the conflicting parties, possessing a trade in all parts of the world, without restriction, carried on to an extent unhear? of in SO young a country, where civil, religious, & political liberty are enjoyed to the fullest extent, & where no more taxes or imposts are levied on the citizens than are barely adequate to the wants & security of the State, must, to the reflecting mind, afford feelings of the most pleasing kind. That any amelioration of the Governments of Europe, & more especially, of my native country, is likely to take place, I have no hopes. Revolution- ising & reforming France has abandone? every principle that can enter into the breast of a freeman They are, on the one hand, a set of bloody minded, iron-hearted tyrants, & on the other, a mass of crouching contemptible slaves I here send you an extract of a letter written by a gentleman of the x first respectability, of the greatest capacity for observation, & of the most upright views, who has spent a considerable time in Grance, upon that sub ject. He is an Irishman, he says: "I do not hesitate to declare my opinion, & it is one not lightly formed), that if the French under the present Govern- ment, were to invade Ireland, however specious the promises by which they would attempt to deceive & dupe our friends, they would look for Aristocracy in its hiding-places, & re-establish it in power. They would excite faction, SOW dissensions, proscribe principles, 3c endeavour to destroy whatever might remain of republican sentiments & opinions. I rejoice to believe that they will not, & cannot go there. I would earnestly entreat my countrymen to found no schemes of emancipation upon the prospect of their assistance". I put im- plicit confidence in this opinion, & I am sure it will not be received lightly by you. The elections prelectors of President & Vice-President, are now nearly over, the majority in favour of Mr. Jefferson & his system surpasses what I before reporter to you. It is now expected that the votes will stand thus:- Jefferson, 163, opposition, 13. This is next to unanimity, Sc is an ject of sincere rejoicing to any real well-wisher of the Republican system. The Sec- retary of the Treasury has given a most favourable report of our finances, & of the receipt of the Revenue exceeding the estimate of best year, indeed, in a national point of view our circumstances have the most flattering appear ance. I have much pleasure in informing you that the great & good Thos. d. Emmett, his wife & I children, arrive? at New York about a fortnifgt ago. they have been received with great friendship by the citizens, & he has re- ceived the most marker attention, & handsomest civilities from the first gent- lemen in the city & in the State. He is now on his way to Washington, & has resided with me three days. He has in this city met with similar hospit- ality, & an equally cordial reception from our most respecte? citizens. He proceeds in a few days to Washington.