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General Knox has become bankrupt for four hundred thousand dollars, and has resigned his military commission.  He took in General Lincoln for one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, which breaks him.  Colonel Jackson also sunk with him.  It seems generally admitted, that several cases of the yellow fever still exist in the city, and the apprehension is, that it will re-appear early in the spring.  You promised me a copy of McGee’s bill of prices.  Be so good as to send it on to me here.  Tell Mrs. Madison her friend Madame d’Yrujo is as well as one can be so near to a formidable crisis.  Present my friendly respects to her, and accept yourself my sincere and affectionate salutations.  Adieu.

Th:  Jefferson.

P.S.  I omitted to mention that a petition has been presented to the President, signed by several thousand persons in Vermont, praying a remitment of Lyon’s fine.  He asked the bearer of the petition if Lyon himself had petitioned, and being answered in the negative, said, ‘Penitence must precede pardon.’  T.J.

LETTER CCXLIV.—­TO JAMES MADISON, January 16, 1799

TO JAMES MADISON.

Philadelphia, January 16, 1799.

Dear Sir,

The forgery lately attempted to be played off by Mr. H. on the House of Representatives, of a pretended memorial presented by Logan to the French government, has been so palpably exposed, as to have thrown ridicule on the whole of the clamors they endeavored to raise as to that transaction.  Still, however, their majority will pass the bill.  The real views in the importance they have given to Logan’s enterprise are mistaken by nobody.  Mr. Gerry’s communications relative to his transactions after the departure of his colleagues, though he has now been returned five months, and they have been promised to the House six or seven weeks, are still kept back.  In the mean time, the paper of this morning promises them from the Paris papers.  It is said, they leave not a possibility to doubt the sincerity and the anxiety of the French government to avoid the spectacle of a war with us.  Notwithstanding this is well understood, the army and a great addition to our navy are steadily intended.  A loan of five millions is opened at eight per cent. interest!

*****

In a society of members, between whom and yourself are great mutual esteem and respect, a most anxious desire is expressed that you would publish your debates of the convention.  That these measures of the army, navy, and direct-tax, will bring about a revolution of public sentiment is thought certain and that the constitution will then receive a different explanation.  Could those debates be ready to appear critically, their effect would be decisive.  I beg of you to turn this subject in your mind.  The arguments against it will be personal; those in favor of it moral; and something is required from you as a set-off against the sin of your retirement.  Your favor of December the 29th came to hand January the 5th; seal sound.  I pray you always to examine the seals of mine to you, and the strength of the impression.  The suspicions against the government on this subject are strong.  I wrote you January the 5th.  Accept for yourself and Mrs. Madison my affectionate salutations.  Adieu.