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    To George Peirson

    Philadelphia        8 [and 12] May 1794

    My dear Sir,

    Inclosed is an order on Mr. [Samuel] Freeman from the P[ost]. M[aster]. General for the sum of sixty five dollars—which I wish you to present, & pay off my thirty pound note to Mr. [Daniel?] Davis—which as soon as you have taken up, erase my signiture, & keep it till I see you—

    I hope soon to hear of your recieving mine of the 19th. ultimo inclosing forty Dollars—

    Appearances here for some time have been tranquil—Accounts from England a are very favourable to a continuation of peace between the two Countries—while the Conduct of the English in the West-Indies towards american navigation seems a little contradictory—at some Islands, all condemnations have ceased—And our Vessells permitted to come away—At others they are detained, tis said, by orders of Admiral [John] Jervis—untill further Instructions can be had from England—And tis reported that he has declared, he looked upon our Embargo as a certain prerequiset to a war—But in my opinion all these accounts and every thing that has taken place there are reconcileable to a disposition for peace—And I believe peace will continue—I am sensible this opinion is censured by some, & deemed as a marke of pusillanimity, or as evidence that those who maintain it are in the British interest—This is well enough for ignorant & malicious people to found News-paper paragraphs upon when they are bent upon injuring those they dislike—But I shall never cease to say—as our Interest consists in peace—so we ought to omit no means in our power—& to sacrifice every passion to preserve it—I have repeatedly said this Country can never gain any thing by war—And I will pluck out right eye prejudices, & cut off right hand pleasures before I will consent to any measure that leads to a situation when a war must become probable—

    Yesterday a motion was made in the house for taking off the Embargo—And I believe it will be taken up to day—but what will be the result I cannot say1—A Bill has passed both houses & is now before the President—Authorising him to permit all Vessells, owned by Americans, & are now loaded for any port beyond the cape of Good Hope to sail2

    Many merchants here are preparing cargoes & begining to load their Vessells, on a presumption that the Embargo will be taken off or expire—

    The paper of last evening announces the arrival of a Vessell from Portland—Cap. [Robert] Motley—

    Our latest news from Europe is to the 17th. march—which you will see in the papers—All minds seem anxious & suspended upon some dreadfull Battle or a sudden peace—It appears to me the Crisis of things is near at hand—And Liberty or Despotism universal thro Europe is immediately to take place—

    Farewell

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    ALS, TFP