The campaign of Congress has closed.  Though the Anglomen have in the end got their treaty through, and so far have triumphed over the cause of republicanism, yet it has been to them a dear-bought victory.  It has given the most radical shock to their party which it has ever received:  and, there is no doubt, they would be glad to be replaced on the ground they possessed the instant before Jay’s nomination extraordinary.  They see that nothing can support them but the colossus of the President’s merits with the people, and the moment he retires, that his successor, if a monocrat, will be overborne by the republican sense of his constituents; if a republican, he will of course give fair play to that sense, and lead things into the channel of harmony between the governors and governed.  In the mean time, patience.

Among your neighbors there is nothing new.  Mr. Rittenhouse is lately dead.  We have had the finest harvest ever known in this part of the country.  Both the quantity and quality of wheat are extraordinary.  We got fifteen shillings a bushel for the last crop, and hope two thirds of that at least for the present one.

Most assiduous court is paid to Patrick Henry.  He has been offered every thing which they knew he would not accept.  Some impression is thought to be made, but we do not believe it is radical.  If they thought they could count upon him, they would run him for their Vice-President; their first object being to produce a schism in the State.  As it is, they will run Mr. Pinckney; in which they regard his southern position rather than his principles.  Mr. Jay and his advocate Camillus are completely treaty-foundered.

We all join in love to Mrs. Monroe; and accept for yourself assurances of sincere and affectionate friendship.  Adieu.

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CC.—­TO JAMES MADISON

THOMAS JEFFERSON TO JAMES MADISON.

Monticello, December 17, 1796.

Your favor of the 5th came to hand last night.  The first wish of my heart was, that you should have been proposed for the administration of the government.  On your declining it, I wish any body rather than myself:  and there is nothing I so anxiously hope, as that my name may come out either second or third.  These would be indifferent to me; as the last would leave me at home the whole year, and the other, two thirds of it.  I have no expectation that the eastern States will suffer themselves to be so much outwitted, as to be made the tools for bringing in P. instead of A. I presume they will throw away their second vote.  In this case, it begins to appear possible, that there may be an equal division where I had supposed the republican vote would have been considerably minor.  It seems also possible, that the Representatives may be divided.  This is a difficulty from which the constitution has provided no issue.  It is both my duty and inclination, therefore, to relieve the