Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CCLVIII.—­TO JAMES MADISON, March 4, 1800

TO JAMES MADISON.

Philadelphia, March 4, 1800.

Dear Sir,

I have never written to you since my arrival here, for reasons which were explained.  Yours of December the 29th, January the 4th, 9th, 12th, 18th, and February the 14th, have therefore remained unacknowledged.  I have at different times enclosed to you such papers as seemed interesting.  To-day I forward Bingham’s amendment to the election bill formerly enclosed to you, Mr. Pinckney’s proposed amendment to the constitution, and the report of the Ways and Means.  Bingham’s amendment was lost by the usual majority of two to one.  A very different one will be proposed, containing the true sense of the minority, viz. that the two Houses, voting by heads, shall decide such questions as the constitution authorizes to be raised.  This may probably be taken up in the other House under better auspices, for though the federalists have a great majority there, yet they are of a more moderate temper than for some time past.  The Senate, however, seem determined to yield to nothing which shall give the other House greater weight in the decision on elections than they have.

Mr. Pinckney’s motion has been supported, and is likely to have some votes which were not expected.  I rather believe he will withdraw it, and propose the same thing in the form of a bill; it being the opinion of some that such a regulation is not against the present constitution.  In this form it will stand a better chance to pass, as a majority only in both Houses will be necessary.  By putting off the building the seventy-fours and stopping enlistments, the loan will be reduced to three and a half millions.  But I think it cannot be obtained.  For though no new bankruptcies have happened here for some weeks, or in New York, yet they continue to happen in Baltimore, and the whole commercial race are lying on their oars, and gathering in their affairs, not knowing what new failures may put their resources to the proof.  In this state of things they cannot lend money.  Some foreigners have taken asylum among us, with a good deal of money, who may perhaps choose that deposite.  Robbins’s affair has been under agitation for some days.  Livingston made an able speech of two and a half hours yesterday.  The advocates of the measure feel it pressure heavily; and though they may be able to repel Livingston’s motion of censure, I do not believe they can carry Bayard’s of approbation.  The landing of our Envoys at Lisbon will risk a very dangerous consequence, insomuch as the news of Truxton’s aggression will perhaps arrive at Paris before our commissioners will.  Had they gone directly there, they might have been two months ahead of that news.  We are entirely without further information from Paris.  By letters from Bordeaux, of December the 7th, tobacco was then