There is just now a calm in European politics. I have little faith in its long continuance, for on every side the elements of discord are formed. To say that the French have not gained by their revolution would be, perhaps, to say too much, but they certainly have not gained what they had a right to expect, or half of what they might enjoy without any harm to the order and well-being of society. We have our eyes on the King of Holland, who is of vast importance or not as he may be supported by Russia and Prussia. Of the disposition of the Russian Court there is some doubt, but the King of Prussia is disposed to peace. The heir apparent of Prussia is said to be in favor of war, and just now it is rumoured in the diplomatic circles, there is a quarrel on the subject between father and son. The fact that the hands of England are tied, is all important for the preservation of peace, and it is also eloquent in expressing the part she has played in all the former quarrels of Europe. England has always had a high pretension of fighting the battles of the world, and now it would seem that there can be no war without her. The title appears to be justified. That country exists on a volcano, without reform; there is danger of a Revolution, and with reform there will surely be revolution, as to its effect on established interests. The tendency everywhere is to popular rights, and I think the victory, though it can be, and in many cases it were best it should be, deferred a little, is no longer doubtful.

You speak of Dr. Neale in your letter. I am glad to hear of his being still alive, not that I deem him old, but so many friends are dead that I sometimes hesitate to enquire about them. I suppose that he remains in Philadelphia. Like the lamented Dr. Chester, he began his pastoral charges in Cooperstown, and I was his pupil for some time. There is an excellent man, the successor of them both, John Smith, who I believe is still at his post.

But I have already more than furnished you with the little memorial you desired, and am rather indulging my own feelings than obliging you.

Believe me, dear Sir,

Very Respectfully and Sincerely Yours,

J. FENIMORE COOPER

LETTER OF COLONEL DAVID HENLEY TO HIS FATHER, Samuel,

CHARLESTOWN MASS.

Dear Sir:

Philadelphia, May 26, 1792.

Your favor of the 9 inst. was handed me the other day by a young gentleman in the Street, who informed me that Mr. Broomfield left it with him, not discovering tho his enquiries had been frequent, where I made my home.

I was glad, yea indeed! I rejoiced in getting a letter from my hond. Father to be informed of his state, but as in this life all our pleasures are mixt with something the reverse, so in the moment of receiving the letter with your superscription I was pleased, the next upon opening it I felt a sensation of equal anxiety, to find that your health had been the sport of infirmities, and that you had been supping sorrow in the agonies of pain, bitter portion! but it is the lot of man, and tho our days in the morning of life seems sometimes strewed with flowers, yet often before our evening sun setts they weather and we feel poignancy from pain, or sorrow and grief from misfortunes. But do still think I have occasion to be glad that you are so far recovered as to write, and will hope that you are restored to a greater degree of that invaluable blessing health, than before your late affliction.

Could I find anything for the entertainment of the mind, my letter might be more pleasing to you and satisfactory to me. Politics is beyond my drift, and for business, I have not so much of consequence as to make it a subject of serious consideration, therefore will give you a concise miscellanious account of what has come under my view for this last period of writing.

The first thing that seemed to occupy the public mind for the beginning of the last season was General St. Clair's defeat, which was bloody and expensive on our side, and may be attended with more serious consequences. An Army of six thousand three hundred men is planned for the Indian Expedition, and as the chances of war is uncertain, should this Army fail in the intended enterprize, it will give scope to much abuse against the Government. The late dreadful failures in New York, and some here, by which many are ruined, and many more have got to feel the consequences of these, and their own imprudent

speculations, is a second cause that present immediately a dreadful calamity. The Eastern and Southern interest do not coalesce sufficiently for to cause good humor among the representative body, but on the contrary opposition, and very often severe recrimination in the conflict of argumentation, which is no ways agreeable to those who wish well to the general wellfare. What may be the effects of these causes cannot be decided upon, time only can determine, so much however can be said, they portend no good.

The Congress expect to adjourn in about a fortnight, some say without doing much business, but as legislation is of great importance in which four millions of inhabitants are concerned, Quere? if a slow and deliberate judgment is not superior to hasty opinions or speculations, by observing the former they may be the least likely to err, by pursuing the latter, difficulties and precedents may arise of a most dangerous tendency.

The City of Philadelphia seems to encrease fast in wealth, beauty and improvement-perfect symmetry and order may be observed in the plan of the city, as well in her police and peacible inhabitants. The country surrounding is valuable for the goodness and luxuriancy of its soil, and agricultural industry of its inhabitants, in fact Pennsylvania may vie with any of the States for its importance, and this consequence may under providence be in a manner ascribed to their wise Lycurgus -the late Governor Penn the father of the Country.

To give you an account of what more immediately concern us in our relations, I wrote you in a former letter that I boarded with my Uncle Phillips, or rather his daughters. He being old and not so active as necessary, lost the Stewardship for the President. I think it must. be from his not managing his affairs with that prudent economy that may be necessary when a little is received, he has saved from his pay only so small a part; for that after all his experience in life, he again becomes dependent upon his daughters for a livelihocd. They are clever industrious young women. I have helped them as far as is in my power, being indulged with an office separate from the others for my business, have hired of them a chamber for that purpose, for which I give at the rate of eighty dollars per annum, and also one hundred and ninety two dollars per annum for myself & son's board. They have three boarders besides and as they do the Domestic business of themselves, and have only the help of a small black girl, would hope they may save a little

from their income. This convenience to my business puts it in my power to attend to my son and watch his motions, and to give them a proper direction. Miss Betsy inquires with great affection after you and seems much concerned for your happiness.

My son Arthur is a beautiful boy, active in his plays, attentive to his school, studious at home, of quick and retentive mind, observes and remarks with such propriety, that every gentleman that is acquainted with him speaks of him as a most promising boy. I hope it will please providence for to spare him for great good to himself and all around him.

In my next I will advise you what to do, in regard for getting a consideration from Congress for the losses you have sustained in the

war.

Tho I have wrote you a lengthy letter must finally conclude in haste. Please to give my duty to my Mother, and my love to my brothers and sisters. I remain with affection,

Your dutiful son,

DAVID HENLEY