I sincerely wish, however, that your troubles were at an end, and from our last accounts we think there must be a peace, at least from the impossibility of carrying on the war.
With every good wish to my country and to yourself, I am, dear sir,
Gradually the news went forth that the Doctor contemplated a second visit to the metropolis--Philadelphia, the Capital of the young Republic. He wrote--
Having now one tie, and that a strong one, to this place (Northumberland) less than I have had I propose to spend more time in Philadelphia.
As long as he was capable of public speaking it was his desire to carry forward his missionary work,
but the loss of my fore teeth (having now only two in the upper jaw) together with my tendency to stammering, which troubles me sometimes, is much against me.
Accordingly in early January of 1797 he might have been found there. He alludes in his correspondence to the presence in the city of C. Volney, a French philosopher and historian, who had been imprisoned but regained liberty on the overthrow of Robespierre when he became professor of history in the _Ecole Normal_. Volney was not particularly pleased with Priestley's discourses, and took occasion some weeks later to issue
which was advertised by the _Aurora_ as on sale by the principal booksellers, price 6 cents.
He was exceedingly rejoiced at the flourishing state of the Unitarian Society and the manner in which its services were conducted.
On the occasion of his first discourse the English Ambassador, Mr. Lister, was in the audience and Priestley dined with him the day following.
Friends had prevailed upon Priestley to preach a charity sermon on his next Sunday, in one of the Episcopal churches, but in the end it was "delivered at the University Hall."
His mind was much occupied with plans for controverting infidelity,
the progress of which here is independent of all reasoning,--
so he published the third edition of his "Observations on the Increase of Infidelity" and an "Outline of the Evidences of Revealed Religion." In the first of them he issued a challenge to Volney who was
Volney's only reply was that he would not read the pamphlet. It was in these days that Priestley saw a great deal of Thomas Jefferson; indeed, the latter attended several of his sermons. The intercourse of these friends was extremely valuable to both. Jefferson welcomed everything which Priestley did in science and consulted him much on problems of education.