Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CCLXV.—­TO JUDGE BRECKENRIDGE, December 18,1800

TO JUDGE BRECKENRIDGE.

Washington, December 18,1800.

Dear Sir,

I received, while at home, the letter you were so kind as to write me.  The employments of the country have such irresistible attractions for me, that while I am at home I am not very punctual in acknowledging the letters of my friends.  Having no refuge here from my room and writing-table, it is my regular season for fetching up the lee-way of my correspondence.

Before you receive this, you will have understood that the State of South Carolina (the only one about which there was uncertainty) has given a republican vote, and saved us from the consequences of the annihilation of Pennsylvania.  But we are brought into dilemma by the probable equality of the two republican candidates, The federalists in Congress mean to take advantage of this, and either to prevent an election altogether, or reverse what has been understood to have been the wishes of the people as to the President and Vice-President; wishes which the constitution! did not permit them specially to designate.  The latter alternative still gives us a republican administration; the former, a suspension of the federal government, for want of a head.  This opens to us an abyss at which every sincere patriot must shudder.  General Davie has arrived here with the treaty formed (under the name of a convention) with France.  It is now before the Senate for ratification, and will encounter objections.  He believes firmly that a continental peace in Europe will take place, and that England also may be comprehended.

Accept assurances of the great respect of, Dear Sir, your most obedient servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CCLXVI.—­TO JAMES MADISON, December 19,1800

TO JAMES MADISON.

Washington, December 19,1800.

Dear Sir,

Mrs. Brown’s departure for Virginia enables me to write confidentially what I could not have ventured by the post at this prying season.  The election in South Carolina has in some measure decided the great contest.  Though as yet we do not know the actual votes of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Vermont, yet we believe the votes to be on the whole, J. seventy-three, B. seventy-three, A. sixty-five, P. sixty-four.  Rhode Island withdrew one from P. There is a possibility that Tennessee may withdraw one from B., and Burr writes that there may be one vote in Vermont for J. But I hold the latter impossible, and the former not probable; and that there will be an absolute parity between the two republican candidates.  This has produced great dismay and gloom on the republican gentlemen here, and exultation in the federalists, who openly declare they will prevent an election, and will name a President of the Senate, pro tem,