a painful malady, greatly increases my obligation for it.*

Would to God, my dear Sir, that I could congratulate you upon the removal of that excruciating pain, under which you labor, and that your existence might close with as much ease to yourself, as its continuance has been beneficial to our country and useful to mankind; or, if the united wishes of a free people, joined with the earnest prayers of every friend to science and humanity, could relieve the body from pains or infirmities, that you could claim an exemption on this score. But this cannot be, and you have

within yourself the only resource to which we can confidently apply for relief, a philosophic mind.

If to be venerated for benevolence, if to be admired for talents, if to be esteemed for patriotism, if to be beloved for philanthropy, can gratify the human mind, you must have the pleasing consolation to know, that you have not lived in vain. And I flatter myself that it will not be ranked among the least grateful occurrences of your life to be assured, that, so

DR. FRANKLIN'S LETTER.

"Philadelphia, 16 September, 1789.

"DEAR SIR, "My malady renders my sitting up to write rather painful to me; but I cannot let my son-in-law, Mr. Bache, part for New York, without congratulating you by him on the recovery of your health, so precious to us all; and on the growing strength of our new government under your administration. For my own personal ease, I should have died two years ago; but, though those years have been spent in excruciating pain, I am pleased that I have lived them, since they have brought me to see our present situation. I am now finishing my eighty-fourth year, and probably with it my career in this life; but in whatever state of existence I am placed hereafter, if I retain any memory of what has passed here, I shall with it retain the esteem, respect, and affection, with which I have long been, my dear friend,

"Yours most sincerely,

"B. FRANKLIN."

VOL. X.

5

long as I retain my memory, you will be recollected with respect, veneration, and affection by your sincere friend.

DEAR SIR,

TO EDMUND RANDOLPH.

New York, 27 September, 1789.

Impressed with a conviction, that the due administration of justice is the firmest pillar of good government, I have considered the first arrangement of the judicial department as essential to the happiness of our country, and to the stability of its political system. Hence the selection of the fittest characters to expound the laws, and dispense justice, has been an invariable object of my anxious concern.

I mean not to flatter when I say, that considerations like these have ruled in the nomination of the attorney-general of the United States, and that my private wishes would be highly gratified by your acceptance of the office. I regarded the office as requiring those talents to conduct its important duties, and that disposition to make sacrifices to the public good, which I believe you to possess and entertain. In both instances I doubt not the event will justify the conclusion. The appointment I hope will be accepted, and its functions, I am assured, will be well performed.

Notwithstanding the prevailing disposition to frugality, the salary of this office appears to have been fixed at what it is, from a belief that the station would confer preeminence on its possessor, and procure for him a 'decided preference of professional employment. As soon as the acts, which are necessary accompani

ments of the appointment, can be got ready, you will receive official notice of the latter. This letter is only to be considered as an early communication of my sentiments on this occasion, and as a testimony of the sincere regard and esteem, with which I am, &c.

TO THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES OF THE SUPREME COURT.

SIR,

New York, 30 September, 1789.

*

I experience peculiar pleasure in giving you notice of your appointment to the office of an associate judge. in the Supreme Court of the United States.

Considering the judicial system as the chief pillar upon which our national government must rest, I have thought it my duty to nominate for the high offices in that department, such men as I conceived would give dignity and lustre to our national character; and I flatter myself that the love, which you bear to our country, and a desire to promote the general happiness, will lead you to a ready acceptance of the enclosed commission, which is accompanied with such laws as have passed relative to your office. I have the honor to be, with high consideration, &c.

SIR,

TO JOHN JAY.

/Newt. Huise

New York, 5 October, 1789.

It is with singular pleasure, that I address you as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, for which office your commission is enclosed.

* Addressed to each of the judges separately.

11./243.

In nominating you for the important station, which you now fill, I not only acted in conformity to my best judgment, but I trust I did a grateful thing to the good citizens of these United States; and I have a full confidence, that the love which you bear to our country, and a desire to promote the general happiness, will not suffer you to hesitate a moment to bring into action the talents, knowledge, and integrity, which are so necessary to be exercised at the head of that department, which must be considered as the key-stone of our political fabric. I have the honor to be, with high consideration and sentiments of esteem, &c.

Quit

Jeffillo?

TO THE KING OF FRANCE.

TO OUR GREAT AND BELOVed Friend and Ally,
HIS MOST CHRISTIAN MAJESTY.

By the change, which has taken place in the national government of the United States, the honor of receiving and answering your Majesty's letter, of the 7th of June, to the President and Members of Congress, has devolved upon me.

The painful event communicated in it could not fail to affect the sensibility, and excite the regret, of the people of the United States, who have so much reason to feel an interest in whatever concerns the happiness of your Majesty, your family, and nation. They very sincerely condole with you on the occasion, and are sensible how greatly this misfortune must have been enhanced by those qualities in the Dauphin, which promised to render that prince a blessing, not only to his family, but to his nation.

Permit me to assure your Majesty of the unceasing gratitude and attachment of the United States, and

of our prayers, that the Almighty will be pleased to keep you, our great and beloved friend and ally, under his constant guidance and protection. New York, the 9th day of October, 1789.*

TO WILLIAM MCWHIR.

SIR,

New York, 12 October, 1789.

I have received your letter of the 18th ultimo, and am glad to learn from it, that my nephews apply with diligence to arithmetic and English composition. These are two branches in which I have always thought them deficient, and have ever been pressingly desirous, that

they should be made well acquainted with them. heli & p. 30.

George may be instructed in the French language,

but Lawrence had better apply himself for the present to his arithmetic, writing, and composition.

As you have failed in your endeavours to obtain a mathematical instructor, it is not probable that any success would attend an advertisement in a paper here. However, I shall have one inserted. I can give no particular opinion respecting the boy, whom you represent to be an uncommon genius. But I would cheerfully give any reasonable encouragement towards the cultivation of talents, which bid fair to be useful. I am, Sir, &c.

* The letter from the King of France, to which the above was an answer, announced the death of the Dauphin. In communicating to Congress the intelligence contained in that letter, the President said; "The generous conduct of the French monarch and nation towards this country renders every event that may affect his or their prosperity interesting to us; and I shall take care to assure him of the sensibility with which the United States participate in the affliction, which a loss so much to be regretted must have occasioned both to him and to them." -September 29th.

VOL. X.

D