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Knoxville 5 9 April 1798.

D^r Sir

Your favor of Feb^y 26 & March 6 came to hand on
28th of March, and those of January 29th 30th, and
1^st February on the 7th instant, such is the irregularity
of the post- Iam sorry to find in yours of 6th march
that the our envoys is not likely to be recognized by
the French Republic, and their mission of Course must
be unsuccessful - Ifear our affairs will become very
serious and alarming: Ithink the Message from
the Directory to the Council of 500 seem to predict
it in strong light - Conciliatory measures will
be most condusive to the public interest, if ^we possibly to
be can obtain such terms, but of this Ihave my doubts,
and fear matters are too far gone ~

I have heard nothing of the commissioners
[page damaged] on - the people are becoming very