In a letter dated Philadelphia, Dec.

5, 1793, he writes as follows:-- "It will require all the address, all the temper, and all the firmness of Congress and the States, to keep this people out of the war; or rather, to avoid a declaration of war against us, from some mischievous power or other.

It is but little that I can do, either by the functions which the Constitution has entrusted to me, or by my personal influence; but that little shall be industriously employed, until it is put beyond a doubt that it will be fruitless; and then, I shall be as ready to meet unavoidable calamities, as any other citizen." Under date of Jan.

9, 1794, he says:-- "The prospects of this country are gloomy, but the situation of all Europe is calamitous beyond all former examples.

At what time, and in what manner, and by what means, the disasters which are come, and seem to be coming on mankind, may be averted, I know not.