is not to be relied on, and will probably use her own means, and those of the nations under her influence, to exclude us from the ocean.  How far it may lessen our happiness to be rendered merely agricultural, how far that state is more friendly to principles of virtue and liberty, are questions yet to be solved.  Kosciusko has been disappointed by the sudden peace between France and Austria.  A ray of hope seemed to gleam on his mind for a moment, that the extension of the revolutionary spirit through Italy and Germany, might so have occupied the remnants of monarchy there, as that his country might have risen again.  I sincerely rejoice to find that you preserve your health so well.  That you may so go on to the end of the chapter, and that it may be a long one, I sincerely pray.  Make my friendly salutations acceptable to Mrs. Gates, and accept yourself assurances of the great and constant esteem and respect of, Dear Sir, your friend and servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CCXXIV.—­TO JAMES MADISON, February 22, 1798

TO JAMES MADISON.

Philadelphia, February 22, 1798.

Dear Sir,

Yours of the 12th is received.  I wrote you last on the 15th, but the letter getting misplaced, will only go by this post.  We still hear nothing from our Envoys.  Whether the executive hear, we know not.  But if war were to be apprehended, it is impossible our Envoys should not find means of putting us on our guard, or that the executive should hold back their information.  No news, therefore, is good news.  The countervailing act, which I sent you by the last post, will, confessedly, put American bottoms out of employ in our trade with Great Britain.  So say well informed merchants.  Indeed, it seems probable, when we consider that hitherto, with the advantage of our foreign tonnage, our vessels could only share with the British, and the countervailing duties will, it is said, make a difference of five hundred guineas to our prejudice on a ship of three hundred and fifty tons.  Still the eastern men say nothing.  Every appearance and consideration render it probable, that on the restoration of peace, both France and Britain will consider it their interest to exclude us from the ocean, by such peaceable means as are in their power.  Should this take place, perhaps it may be thought just and politic to give to our native capitalists the monopoly of our internal commerce.  This may at once relieve us from the dangers of wars abroad and British thraldom at home.  The news from the Natchez, of the delivery of the posts, which you will see in the papers, is to be relied on.  We have escaped a dangerous crisis there.  The great contest between Israel and Morgan, of which you will see the papers full, is to be decided this day.  It is snowing fast at this time, and the most sloppy walking I ever saw.  This will be to the disadvantage of the party which has the most invalids.  Whether the event will be known this evening, I am uncertain.  I rather presume not, and, therefore, that you will not learn it till next post.