I suppose you are informed of the proceeding commenced by the legislature of Maryland, to claim the south branch of the Potomac as their boundary, and thus of Albemarle, now the central county of the State, to make a frontier.  As it is impossible, upon any consistent principles, and after such a length of undisturbed possession, that they can expect to establish their claim, it can be ascribed to no other than an intention to irritate and divide; and there can be no doubt from what bow the shaft is shot.  However, let us cultivate Pennsylvania, and we need not fear the universe.  The Assembly have named me among those who are to manage this controversy.  But I am so averse to motion and contest, and the other members are so fully equal to the business, that I cannot undertake to act in it.  I wish you were added to them.  Indeed, I wish and hope you may consent to be added to our Assembly itself.  There is no post where you can render greater services, without going out of your State.  Let but this block stand firm on its basis, and Pennsylvania do the same, our Union will be perpetual, and our General Government kept within the bounds and form of the constitution.  Adieu affectionately.

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CCVIII.—­TO JAMES MADISON, January 30, 1797

TO JAMES MADISON,

Monticello, January 30, 1797.

Yours of the 18th came to hand yesterday.  I am very thankful for the discretion you have exercised over the letter.  That has happened to be the case, which I knew to be possible, that the honest expression of my feelings towards Mr. Adams might be rendered mal-apropos from circumstances existing, and known at the seat of government, but not known by me in my retired situation.  Mr. Adams and myself were cordial friends from the beginning of the revolution.  Since our return from Europe, some little incidents have happened, which were capable of affecting a jealous mind like his.  His deviation from that line of politics on which we had been united, has not made me less sensible of the rectitude of his heart:  and I wished him to know this, and also another truth, that I am sincerely pleased at having escaped the late draught for the helm, and have not a wish which he stands in the way of.  That he should be convinced of these truths, is important to our mutual satisfaction, and perhaps to the harmony and good of the public service.  But there was a difficulty in conveying them to him, and a possibility that the attempt might do mischief there or somewhere else; and I would not have hazarded the attempt, if you had not been in place to decide upon its expediency.  It has now become unnecessary to repeat it by a letter.