To Elisha Babcock July 2, 1805

From a scan of the original letter now in private hands.

New Rochelle July 2d ’05

Citizen

In your paper of June 27, in a piece containing remarks on a paragraph in the Norwich Centinel the writer of the remarks speaking of what several of the feds had said, adds The dissemination of these sentiments was only a preliminary measure to the acceptance of the proposal made by Great Britain and circulated secretly among the most influential federalists, Hamilton for one, viz, “That Great Britain should cede Canada to the United States on condition that the Duke of Clarence should be placed on the American throne and recognized as the monarch of America.” — This might have been easily answered by saying We have blackguards enow of our own.

I will, however, be obliged to you if you can give me any information respecting this proposal as it may be traced to some source. You will recollect that Oliver Ellsworth after his mission expired in France, went over to England, and I informed you near two years ago that he had declared himself a monarchist in a company of 10 or 12 persons and I gave you the name of the gentleman who told me of it and who was one of the company but you made no use of the information.

My last letter (the 8th) is the most important of any I have published. I have been disappointed in not seeing it in your paper. I have reason to believe the matters therein stated will be taken up at the next meeting of Congress, and the inquiry at that time, will not be sufficiently understood by those who had not an opportunity of seeing that letter. I know the feds want to keep that letter out of sight.

Yours in friendship

Thomas Paine