Congress have risen.  You will have seen by their proceedings the truth of what I always observed to you, that one man outweighs them all in influence over the people, who have supported his judgment against their own and that of their representatives.  Republicanism must lie on its oars, resign the vessel to its pilot, and themselves to the course he thinks best for them.  I had always conjectured, from such facts as I could get hold of, that our public debt was increasing about a million of dollars a year.  You will see by Gallatin’s speeches that the thing is proved.  You will see farther, that we are completely saddled and bridled, and that the bank is so firmly mounted on us that we must go where they will guide.  They openly publish a resolution, that the national property being increased in value, they must by an increase of circulating medium furnish an adequate representation of it, and by further additions of active capital promote the enterprises of our merchants.  It is supposed that the paper in circulation in and around Philadelphia amounts to twenty millions of dollars, and that in the whole Union, to one hundred millions.  I think the last too high.  All the imported commodities are raised about fifty per cent. by the depreciation of the money.  Tobacco shares the rise, because it has no competition abroad.  Wheat has been extraordinarily high from other causes.  When these cease, it must fall to its ancient nominal price, notwithstanding the depreciation of that, because it must contend in market with foreign wheats.  Lands have risen within the vortex of the paper, and as far out as that can influence.  They have not risen at all here.  On the contrary, they are lower than they were twenty years ago.  Those I had mentioned to you, to wit, Carter’s and Colle, were sold before your letter came.  Colle at two dollars the acre.  Carter’s had been offered me for two French crowns (13s. 2d.) Mechanics here get from a dollar to a dollar and a half a day, yet are much worse off than at the old prices.

Volney is with me at present.  He is on his way to the Illinois.  Some late appointments, judiciary and diplomatic, you will have heard, and stared at.  The death of R. Jouett is the only small news in our neighborhood.

Our best affections attend Mrs. Monroe, Eliza, and yourself.  Adieu affectionately.

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CXCVI.—­TO THE PRESIDENT, June 19, 1796

TO THE PRESIDENT.

Monticello, June 19, 1796.

In Bache’s Aurora of the 9th instant, which came here by the last post, a paper appears, which having been confided, as I presume, to but few hands, makes it truly wonderful how it should have got there.  I cannot be satisfied as to my own part, till I relieve my mind by declaring, and I attest every thing sacred and honorable to the declaration, that it has got there neither through me nor the paper confided to