His life, devoted unreservedly to the service of his country through all its dark and perilous journey to the achievement of its independence--his public speeches and documents--his private letters, written to his bosom companion, with no expectation that the eye of any other would ever rest upon them--all testify his ardent devotion to the principles of republicanism.

At the breaking out of the French Revolution, he yielded it his hearty support, and did not withdraw his countenance, until compelled, by the scenes of anarchy and of carnage which soon ensued, to turn away with horror and raise his voice against proceedings of savage ferocity.
But while condemning the excesses of the French revolutionists, he was no friend of Great Britain.

This is made evident by a multitude of facts.
Read, for instance, the following extract from a letter, not written for public effect, addressed to his wife, dated Philadelphia, April 9, 1796:-- "I have read 'the minister's' dispatches from London.

The King could not help discovering his old ill humor.

The mad idiot will never recover.
Blunderer by nature, accidents are all against him.