Washington, December 26, 1800.

Dear Sir,

All the votes have now come in, except of Vermont and Kentucky, and there is no doubt that the result is a perfect parity between the two republican characters.  The federalists appear determined to prevent an election, and to pass a bill giving the government to Mr. Jay, appointed Chief Justice, or to Marshall as Secretary of State.  Yet I am rather of opinion that Maryland and Jersey will give the seven republican majorities.  The French treaty will be violently opposed by the federalists; the giving up the vessels is the article they cannot swallow.  They have got their judiciary bill forwarded to commitment.  I dread this above all the measures meditated, because appointments in the nature of free-hold render it difficult to undo what is done.  We expect a report for a territorial government which is to pay little respect to the rights of man.

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Cordial and affectionate salutations.  Adieu.

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CCLXVIII.—­TO COLONEL BURR, February 1, 1801

TO COLONEL BURR.

Washington, February 1, 1801.

Dear Sir,

It was to be expected that the enemy would endeavor to sow tares between us, that they might divide us and our friends.  Every consideration satisfies me you will be on your guard against this, as I assure you I am strongly.  I hear of one stratagem so imposing and so base, that it is proper I should notice it to you.  Mr. Munford, who is here, says he saw at New York before he left it, an original letter of mine to Judge Breckenridge, in which are sentiments highly injurious to you.  He knows my hand-writing, and did not doubt that to be genuine.  I enclose you a copy taken from the press copy of the only letter I ever wrote to Judge Breckenridge in my life:  the press copy itself has been shown to several of our mutual friends here.  Of consequence the letter seen by Mr. Munford must be a forgery, and if it contains a sentiment unfriendly or disrespectful to you, I affirm it solemnly to be a forgery; as also if it varies, from the copy enclosed.  With the common trash of slander I should not think of troubling you; but the forgery of one’s hand-writing is too imposing to be neglected.  A mutual knowledge of each other furnishes us with the best test of the contrivances which will be practised by the enemies of both.

Accept assurances of my high respect and esteem.

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CCLXIX.—­TO GOVERNOR M’KEAN, February 2, 1801

TO GOVERNOR M’KEAN.

Washington, February 2, 1801.

Dear Sir,

I have long waited for an opportunity to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of December the 15th, as well as that by Dr. Mendenhall.  None occurring, I shall either deliver the present to General Muhlenburg or put it under cover to Dr. Wistar, to whom I happen to be writing, to be sent to your house in Philadelphia, or forwarded confidentially to Lancaster.