CHAP. IX.] JEFFERSON'S ERROR-A SCANDALOUS SCENE. 479 A letter to Madison, on the 26th, exhibits the singular fact, that Jefferson continued completely in the dark in regard to the respective attitudes of the two Federal wings, on the subject of war and peace with France-that he supposed Mr. Adams was anxious for war; that the latter dared not, however, conceal the overture made by France, but that he hoped his friends in the Senate would reject his nominations, which were only intended to parry that overture. But, conjectures Jefferson," the Hamiltonians would not, and the others could not alone." To such strange misconstructions had Mr. Adams's conduct exposed him. The petitions which had continued to pour into the House of Representatives, through the session, for a repeal of the Alien and Sedition Laws, had been referred to a special committee. Its chairman, Goodrich, prepared an elaborate report, sustaining the constitutionality and expediency of those laws. Jefferson, in the same letter to Madison, just quoted from, thus describes what took place when this report was presented to the House: "Yesterday witnessed a scandalous scene in the House of Representatives. It was the day for taking up the Report of their Committee against the Alien and Sedition Laws, etc. They held a caucus and determined that not a word should be spoken on their side, in answer to anything which should be said on the other. Gallatin took up the Alien, and Nicholas the Sedition Law; but after a little while of common silence, they began to enter into loud conversations, laugh, cough, etc., so that for the last hour of these gentlemen's speaking, they must have had the lungs of a vendue master to have been heard. Livingston, however, attempted to speak. But after a few sentences, the Speaker called him to order, and told him what he was saying was not to the question. It was impossible to proceed. The question was taken and carried in favor of the report, fifty-two to forty-eight; the real strength of the two parties is fifty-six to fifty. But two of the latter have not attended this session." The appointment of a new commission to France, of course, arrested the principal army bills. General Hamilton's "THOROUGH" was checked for the time being. No further events of the session demand our notice. Mr. Jefferson left his seat in the Senate on the 28th of February, and started for home the next day. Congress adjourned on the 3d of March. To get a just view of Mr. Jefferson's warm political exertions during the past session, it is necessary to turn from our meagre extracts to his full correspondence. Never before or afterwards did he make such efforts as this dark crisis called forth. 480' HAMILTON AND JEFFERSON IN 1799. [CHAP. I. There is something instructive in a comparison of the means employed to advance their objects, in the decisive struggle, by the chiefs of the two great parties. One declared that our people were "gangrened" with bad principles-that the gangrene was spreading-that it would be unpardonable not to act on the hypothesis, that the question must be settled by force. To prepare for this, he called upon his party to use the power which he considered only transiently in its hands, to consolidate all sovereign authority in the general Government. He called upon it to raise navies and standing armies. He called for a more severe and sweeping execution of the Alien and Sedition Laws. He called for the enactment of a new law against the political liberty of speech, and the press, to which the Alien and Sedition Laws would have been mild both in their scope and the extent of their penalties. The other chief had made up his mind a little earlier, that final resistance was preferable to a complete overthrow of the Constitution. Under his advice a solemn protest had been made against the usurpations of the federal Government. He, too, was for preparations; and his injunctions to his party were as constantly and earnestly uttered. But his preparations were confined to explanations of facts and arguments, addressed to the intelligence and integrity of the American people. He said: "the materials now bearing on the public mind will infallibly restore it to its Republican soundness, if the knowledge of the facts can only be disseminated among the people." MY DEAR MARIA: TO MARIA JEFFERSON EPPES. PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 1st, ‘99. I left Monticello the 18th of December and arrived here to breakfast on the 25th, having experienced no accident or inconvenience except a slight cold, which brought back the inflammation of my eyes and still continues it, though so far mended as to give hopes of its going off soon. I took my place in Senate before a single bill was brought in or other act of business done, except the Address, which is exactly what I ought to have nothing to do with; and indeed I might have stayed at home a week longer without missing any business for the last eleven days. The Senate have met only on five, and then little or nothing to do. However, when I am to write on politics I shall address my letter to Mr. Eppes. To you I had rather indulge the effusions of a heart which tenderly loves you, which builds its happiness on yours, and feels in every other object but little interest. Without an object here which is not alien to me, and barren of every delight, I turn to your situation CHAP. IX.] JEFFERSON TO HIS DAUGHTERS. 481 with pleasure, in the midst of a good family which loves you, and merits all your love. Go on, my dear, in cultivating the invaluable possession of their affections. The circle of our nearest connections is the only one in which a faithful and lasting affection can be found, one which will adhere to us under all changes and chances. It is therefore the only soil on which it is worth while to bestow much culture. Of this truth you will become more convinced every day you advance into life. I imagine you are by this time about removing to Mont-Blanco. The novelty of setting up housekeeping will, with all its difficulties, make you very happy for a while. Its delights, however, pass away in time, and I am in hopes that by the spring of the year there will be no obstacle to your joining us at Monticello. I hope I shall on my return find such preparation made as will enable me rapidly to get one room after another prepared for the accommodation of our friends, and particularly of any who may be willing to accompany or visit you there. Present me affectionately to Mrs. and Mr. Eppes, father and son and all the family. Remember how pleasing your letters will be to me, and be assured of my constant and tender love. Adieu, my ever dear Maria. Yours affectionately. To MARTHA JEFFERSON RANDOLPH. (Extracts.) TH. JEFFERSON. PHILADELPHIA, Jan 23d, '99. The object of this letter, my very dear Martha, is merely to inform you I am well, and convey to you the expressions of my love. It will not be new to tell you your letters do not come as often as I could wish. This deprives me of the gleams of pleasure wanting to relieve the dreariness of this scene, where not one single occurrence is calculated to produce pleasing sensations. I hope you are all well, and that the little ones, even Ellen, talk of me sometimes. * Kiss all the little ones, and receive the tender and unmingled effusions of my love to yourself. Adieu. PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 5, '99. Jupiter, with my horses, must be at Fredericksburg on Tuesday evening, the 5th of March. I shall leave this place on the 1st or 2d. You will receive this the 14th instant. I am already light-hearted at the approach of my departure. Kiss my dear children for me, inexpressible love to yourself, and the sincerest affection to Mr. Randolph. Adieu. TO MARIA JEFFERSON EPPES. PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 7, '99. Your letter, my dear Maria, of January 21st, was received two days ago. It was, as Ossian says, or would say, like the bright beams of the moon on the desolate heath. Environed here in scenes of constant torment, malice and obliquy, worn down in a station where no effort to render service can avail anything, I feel not that existence is a blessing, but when something recalls my mind to my family VOL. II.-31 482 JEFFERSON TO HIS DAUGHTERS. [CHAP. IX. or farm. This was the effect of your letter, and its affectionate expressions kindled up all those feelings of love for you and our dear connections which now constitute the only real happiness of my life. I am now feeding on the idea of my departure for Monticello, which is but three weeks distant. The roads will then be so dreadful that, as to visit you even by the direct route of Fredericksburg and Richmond would add 100 miles to the length of my journey, I must defer it in the hope that about the last of March, or first of April, I may be able to take a trip express to see you. The roads will then be fine; perhaps your sister may join in a flying trip, as it can only be for a few days. In the meantime let me hear from you. Letters which leave Richmond after the 21st instant should be directed to me at Monticello. I suppose you to be now at Mont-Blanco, and therefore do not charge you with the delivery of those sentiments of esteem which I always feel for the family at Eppington. I write to Mr. Eppes. Continue always to love me, and be assured that there is no object on earth so dear to my heart as your health and happiness, and that my tenderest affections always hang on you. Adieu, my ever dear Maria. TH. JEFFERSON. The President's Inconsistency in respect to France-His Embarrassments-His Misjudged Course towards General Washington-He casts away Washington's Aid-Washington's Letter and his Reply-Virginia Elections-Washington takes part-Urges Patrick Henry to be a Candidate-He consents-The Sequel-Henry's Death-His Character and Fame Result of the Elections-Cabinet settle Heads of Instructions for our French Envoys-The President returns to Quincy-Directs Preparation of the French Instructions-Delayed six months-Frivolous Excuses of the Cabinet-Talleyrand's SarcasmInstructions prepared, and Cabinet then propose to suspend the Mission-The President repairs to the Seat of Government-Finds a Convocation of Hamiltonians-His Struggle with his Cabinet-Hamilton's last Card-The Envoys dispatched-Complaints of the Cabinet-Grounds of the Objections of the Hamiltonians-The President's occasional Struggles in his Duress-Touches of the "Dwarf "-Pickering scents Sedition in Cock's Feathers-Urges President to banish Priestley-Mr. Adams vacillating-His miserable Excuse to save, Priestley-Insurrection in Pennsylvania-State Prisoners Convictions for Treason-President pardons contrary to Advice of his whole Cabinet-Enormities charged on the Troops Editors whipped-Pennsylvania State Elections-The Candidates and the Result-Jefferson's Letters to Mrs. EppesHis Domestic Affairs in Summer of 1799-Political Letters-Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions of 1799-Congress meet-President's Third Annual Speech-Wolcott describes to Ames the Situation of Parties in Congress-His "Engine of Government" -Ames's Reply and his "Engine of Government"-Wolcott in Private Correspondence with Mr. Pitt-Hamilton to Washington and to King-Spirit and Designs of the Federalists at this Period-Hamiltonians preparing to bring forward Washington for the Presidency-His Death-Public Demonstrations thereon-Demonstrations in France and England-Cabot's Hint to Ames to weave Politics into Eulogy of WashingtonThat Hint generally followed up-His Views and Principles were unlike those of Ames-His Principles and Designs equally at variance with Hamilton's-His Party Connection incidental-He was systematically deceived-A fresh and striking Instance of this He belonged to no Party-His Fame is National-Jefferson's Political Correspondence during the Session-Letters to Priestley-"Our Bonaparte "-Congress Proceedings sketched to Madison-Party Arithmetic-Political Letters-The Election Law in Congress-The state of things in Pennsylvania it was intended for-John Randolph denounces "Ragamuffins" and "Mercenaries"-Jostled in the Theatre-His Communication to the President-Action in the House-Bills passed-The Robbins affair"Truxton's Aggression "-"Overhauling Editor of Aurora"-Macon's Resolution to Repeal the Law in regard to Seditious Libels-His Reliance on Federal Pledges-The Pledges kept to the Letter but broken to the Spirit-The Presidential CaucusesAdjournment Jefferson's Letters to his Daughters-Character of the late SessionHamilton's Quietness-His Plans and his Despondency-Reasons of that Despondency. PICKERING's assertion that the President's new policy in respect to France was inconsistent with his recent nomination |