place between this member and Burr at the residence of the latter in New York, on the fourth of April. With the same cautious non-committal he had shown during the presidential election, and recently at Washington, Burr stated that "he must go on democratically to obtain the Government; that, if he succeeded, he should administer it in a manner that would be satisfactory to the Federalists. In respect to the affairs of the nation, Burr said, that the Northern States must be governed by Virginia, or govern Virginia, and that there was no middle course -that the Democratic members of Congress from the East were in this sentiment, some of those from New York, some of the leaders in Jersey and likewise in Pennsylvania." The effect of this conversation was to induce the member to wish Burr success, which would, it was supposed, be much affected by the result of the election in Connecticut, then near at hand. On the day of the interview between him and Burr, an address was issued to the people of that State. One of the chief topics of the Address was the amendment to the Constitution proposed by Hamilton, but of which the source was not known, designating the offices of President and Vice-President for which the electoral votes were to be cast. Jefferson was looking anxiously to its adoption. "If the amendment of the Constitution passes Rhode Island," he wrote, "and we expect to hear in a day or two, the election for the ensuing four years seems to present nothing formidable."* Nor can it be supposed, that this effect was out of the view of all of those who had opposed its recommendation, when their sentiments at a dangerous crisis are recollected.† The address to Connecticut declared, "the plan of this amendment is to bury * Jefferson to Gerry. March 3, 1804. Jefferson's Works, iv. 536, ed. 1854. † Appendix H. New England in oblivion, and put the reins of Government into the hands of Virginia for ever." "They, the Democrats," it was urged, "have seized on a moment of delirious enthusiasm to make a dangerous inroad on the Constitution; and to prostrate the only mound capable of resisting the headlong influence of the great States and preserving the independence and safety of the small ones." This appeal to her State pride was successful, and Connecticut elected a large majority of Federalists to her Legislature; nor was the language of disunion concealed. It reached the ears of Jefferson. He writes on the sixteenth of April:* "You mentioned a Federal scheme afloat, of forming a coalition between the Federalists and Republicans of what they called the seven Eastern States. * * * The idea of forming seven Eastern States is moreover clearly to form the basis of a separation of the Union." Ten days after, the election was held in the State of New York, and Burr, though he received many votes from the Federalists, was defeated by a large majority.† * Jefferson to Granger. Jefferson's Works, iv. 542. + Lewis is stated to have received 35,000 votes, Burr 28,000. CHAPTER CLXVIII. THE reputation which followed Hamilton's extraordinary effort in the recent libel suit, he found on his return to the city of New York, had preceded him. Indeed, for some time, in the circle in which he moved, it was the absorbing topic of conversation. With the deep sympathy, which is the strongest proof and the highest tribute to genius, each of his friends seemed anxious to exalt and to appropriate almost to himself a part of the merit of this great achievement. He was now again engaged in the urgent labors of his profession, but amidst these labors he found time for society and for his family. His chief relaxation was in the culture and adornment of the "Grange." There, reading with increased interest treatises on trees and horticulture, on the changes and influences of the seasons, the composition and adaptation of soils to the various growths, he enjoyed those pure delights which cultivated intelligence seeks and surely finds in the wonders, the harmonies, and the minute diversities of rural scenes. Mingling at times with his humble neighbors, he sought their practical information, and repaid it with kind offices. With a heart swelling with gratitude to the Author of his being, he observed to his wife, "I may yet live twenty years, please God, and I will one day build for them a chapel in this grove." His religious feelings grew with his growing intimacy with the marvellous works of nature, all pointing in their processes and their results to a great pervading, ever active Cause. Thus his mind rose from the visible to the invisible; and he found intensest pleasure in studies higher and deeper than all speculation. His Bible exhibits on its margin the care with which he perused it. Among his autographs is an abstract of the Apocalypse— and notes in his hand were seen on the margin of “Paley's Evidences." With these readings he now united the habit of daily prayer, in which exercise of faith and love, the Lord's prayer was always a part. The renewing influences of early pious instruction and habit appear to have returned in all their force on his truest sensibilities, quickened by the infidelity shown in the action of the political world, and in the opinions and theories he had opposed, as subversive of social order. "War," he remarked, on one occasion, "by the influence of the humane principles of Christianity had been stripped of half its horrors. The French renounce Christianity, and they relapse into barbarism. War resumes the same hideous form which it wore in the ages of Gothic and Roman violence." It was the tendency to infidelity he saw so rife that led him often to declare in the social circle his estimate of Christian truth. "I have examined carefully," he said to a friend from his boyhood, "the evidence of the Christian religion; and, if I was sitting as a juror upon its authenticity, I should unhesitatingly give my verdict in its favor."* To another person, he observed, "I have studied it, and I can prove its truth as clearly as any proposition ever submitted to the mind of man." A short note written at this time to a young friend speaks the state of his mind: * Reminiscences of General Morton. "NEW YORK, April 13, 1804. "DEAR SIR:-The post of to-day brought me a letter from you, and another from ****. I have no doubt the latter would serve you if he could, but he cannot at this time. On the whole, I would advise you to return to New York, and accept any respectable employment in your way till an opportunity of something better shall occur. 'Tis by patience and perseverance that we can expect to vanquish difficulties and better an unpleasant condition. Arraign not the dispensations of Providence. They must be founded in wisdom and goodness; and when they do not suit us, it must be because there is some fault in ourselves which deserves chastisement, or because there is a kind intent to correct in us some vice or feeling, of which, perhaps, we may not be conscious; or because the general plan requires we should suffer partial ill. In this situation, it is our duty to cultivate resignation and even humility; bearing in m nd, in the language of the poet, that it was 'Pride which lost the blest abodes.' With esteem and regard.” His home was his delight; he writes to his wife: "I discover more and more that I am spoiled for a military man. My health and comfort both require that I should be at home-at that home where I am always sure to find a sweet asylum from care and pain." "It is absolutely necessary to me," he wrote at another time, "to hear frequently from you and my dear children. While all other passions decline in me, those of love and friendship gain new strength. It will be more and more my endeavour to abstract myself from all pursuits which interfere with those of affection. 'Tis here only I can find true pleasure. In this I know your good and kind heart responses to mine. Your father and mother are both anxious to visit you. They are as kind to me as ever, and seem to have discovered the full extent of your worth. Heaven bless you and reward you with all the happiness you deserve." He writes, journeying to Albany: "I remark, as I go along, every thing that can be adopted for the embellishment of our little retreat, where |