cutler-letters_jonathan-stokes_1793-12-02_02

2

the Clergy are very decently supported-- In most parishes the livings
are equal + in some superior to the most wealthy of the parishoners
We have [illegible] + Families, but they are evidently decreasing.
No country can boast of a greater no. of
classic learned, judicious, + liberal clergy men in proportion to the no. of
people. Nor of greater frienships + affecte among them. Nor where
religious worship is more generally attended by all classes of
citizens with[t?] [?hom?] (in [?Butler?] [Surolice?] of the tar and feathers
citizens with any compulsion. The happy affects on
Episcopalian
society are apparent. Good morals are the bases of
a free Govt. Weekly associations, in an orderly and decent
many, tends much to improve the social virtues, and has great
influence on manners andhabits conducive to the happiness
of society than [illegible] laws [illegible] has also demonstrated
the excellency of the National Govt. It is energetic in its operational
[illegible]
The lives, preparation, and privilages of all descriptions of citizens
equally protected and safe. The people are
informed, in detail, through the public prints, of all the doings of
the federal branches of Govt.--with the only exception of [illegible]
[illegible] in foreign negotiations. Particularly the state of the [Treasury?]
and [application?] of public monies. By the judicious arrangments
of an able financier, all are happily relieved from any
direct Tax. Yet [illegible] national debt is sinking and the public credit
the least in the country. Or imports, with a small [excise?] on
[?spiritous?] Liquors, raises a fund which has proved sufficient for all the national
purposes. Small direct taxes on [Sales?], personal & real estates are
raised by the people in Town and parish corporations , for the support
of Clergy men, Schools and other contingent expenses. These are
all the taxes pd. by the people. In short,
the happy effects of the Govt.
is sensibly felt, and universally aknowledged by the common people.
They are doing themselves much honor in the service of members
of Congress -- elections in the matters states are perfectly free. An
attempt to make interest, as held in so much deflation, as to be con
sidered but treated as a disqualification for a seat in Congress--
The wisdom of the states has been [illegible]
in Congress--Among other excellencies in the [Constitution?] the 3
branches, different and independent are the most important. Here
France has failed. Their last [Constitution?] is [illegible] in America. Several
states have made the expert of one branch, but all have no
exchanged them for three. The French [Constitution?] of [illegible], so far as
the experiences of America will decide, was incomparably better
than the last. We wish them to be free, but we regret that for noble
a case she [illegible] much injured by the madness.

We have been extremely apprehensive
of being drawn into the War, by the impertinent [illegible] judged
conduct of the French [?Min. Genet?]--too much praise cannot
bee given to our Beloved President for his Vigelence and Prudence.
Some public [illegible] of esteem for the French Natl. were expressed
to this meddling Minister, as the he traveled thro' the Country to
the seat of Govt. seem to have infllated his vanity --he rose
like a balloon & he got every body agreeing --The public [papers?]ground with the
] - [illegible] to [illegible] in the [illegible]
threatened to appeal from the president to the people. His gas is
now prety well expended, and he has descended into universal con-
-tempt--May [illegible] [illegible] the evils of a war with any
part of Europe. We are happily out of the vortext of their
politics, and nothing but the highest national insults wd induce
Govt. to draw the sword.
The freedom of the press in this Country has no other
restraint than the good sense of the people. Unmerritted [illegible] always
meets with deserved contempt. The fear of offending the public
in the only restraint on printers.

Dec. 2 -- I thank you for the honor you intended me by [crossed out] calling
the plants [end crossed out] the proposed name to a plant, wh. turns out to be [illegible]
[illegible].