for you.  As to the latter, let me pray and beseech you to set apart a certain portion of every post-day to write what may be proper for the public.  Send it to me while here, and when I go away I will let you know to whom you may send, so that your name shall be sacredly secret.  You can render such incalculable services in this way, as to lessen the effect of our loss of your presence here.  I shall see you on the 5th or 6th of March.

Affectionate salutations to Mrs. Madison and yourself.  Adieu.

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CCXLVIII.—­TO EDMUND PENDLETON, February 14, 1799

TO EDMUND PENDLETON.

Philadelphia, February 14, 1799.

Dear Sir,

I wrote you a petition on the 29th of January.  I know the extent of this trespass on your tranquillity, and how indiscreet it would have been under any other circumstances.  But the fate of this country, whether it shall be irretrievably plunged into a form of government rejected by the makers of the constitution, or shall get back to the true principles of that instrument, depends on the turn which things may take within a short period of time ensuing the present moment.  The violations of the constitution, propensities to war, to expense, and to a particular foreign connection, which we have lately seen, are becoming evident to the people, and are dispelling that mist which X. Y. Z. had spread before their eyes.  This State is coming forward with a boldness not yet seen.  Even the German counties of York and Lancaster, hitherto the most devoted, have come about, and by petitions with four thousand signers remonstrate against the alien and sedition laws, standing armies, and discretionary powers in the President.  New York and Jersey are also getting into great agitation.  In this State, we fear that the ill-designing may produce insurrection.  Nothing could be so fatal.  Any thing like force would check the progress of the public opinion and rally them round the government.  This is not the kind of opposition the American people will permit.  But keep away all show of force, and they will bear down the evil propensities of the government, by the constitutional means of election and petition.  If we can keep quiet, therefore, the tide now turning will take a steady and proper direction.  Even in New Hampshire there are strong symptoms of a rising inquietude.  In this state of things, my dear Sir, it is more in your power than any other man’s in the United States, to give the coup de grace to the ruinous principles and practices we have seen.  In hopes you have consented to it, I shall furnish to you some additional matter which has arisen since my last.