Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CCXXXI.—­TO JAMES MADISON, April 12, 1798

TO JAMES MADISON.

Philadelphia, April 12, 1798.

Dear Sir, I wrote you two letters on the 5th and 6th instant; since which I have received yours of the 2nd.  I send you, in a separate package, the instructions to our Envoys and their communications.  You will find that my representation of their contents from memory, was substantially just.  The public mind appears still in a state of astonishment.  There never was a moment in which the aid of an able pen was so important to place things in their just attitude.  On this depend the inchoate movement in the eastern mind, and the fate of the elections in that quarter, now beginning and to continue through the summer.  I would not propose to you such a task on any ordinary occasion.  But be assured that a well digested analysis of these papers would now decide the future turn of things, which are at this moment on the creen.  The merchants here are meeting under the auspices of Fitzsimmons, to address the President and approve his propositions.  Nothing will be spared on that side.  Sprigg’s first resolution against the expediency of war, proper at the time it was moved, is now postponed as improper, because to declare that, after we have understood it has been proposed to us to try peace, would imply an acquiescence under that proposition.  All. therefore, which the advocates of peace can now attempt, is to prevent war measures externally, consenting to every rational measure of internal defence and preparation.  Great expenses will be incurred; and it will be left to those whose measures render them necessary, to provide to meet them.  They already talk of stopping all payments of interest, and of a land-tax.  These will probably not be opposed.  The only question will be, how to modify the land-tax.  On this there may be a great diversity of sentiment.  One party will want to make it a new source of patronage and expense.  If this business is taken up, it will lengthen our session.  We had pretty generally, till now, fixed on the beginning of May for adjournment.  I shall return by my usual routes, and not by the Eastern-shore, on account of the advance of the season.  Friendly salutations to Mrs. Madison and yourself.  Adieu.

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CCXXXII.—­TO JAMES MADISON, April 26, 1798

TO JAMES MADISON,

Philadelphia, April 26, 1798.

Dear Sir,

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