The event of the election is still in dubio.  A strong portion in the House of Representatives will prevent an election if they can.  I rather believe they will not be able to do it, as there are six individuals of moderate character, any one of whom coming over to the republican vote will make a ninth state.  Till this is known, it is too soon for me to say what should be done in such atrocious cases as those you mention of federal officers obstructing the operation of the State governments.  One thing I will say, that as to the future, interferences with elections, whether of the State or General Government, by officers of the latter, should be deemed cause of removal; because the constitutional remedy by the elective principle becomes nothing, if it may be smothered by the enormous patronage of the General Government.  How far it may be practicable, prudent, or proper, to look back, is too great a question to be decided but by the united wisdom of the whole administration when formed.  Our situation is so different from yours, that it may render proper some differences in the practice.  Your State is a single body, the majority clearly one way.  Ours is of sixteen integral parts, some of them all one way, some all the other, some divided.  Whatever my be decided as to the past, they shall give no trouble to the State governments in future, if it shall depend on me; and be assured, particularly as to yourself, that I should consider the most perfect harmony and interchange of accommodations and good offices with those governments as among the first objects.

Accept assurances of my high consideration, respect, and esteem.

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CCLXX.—­TO TENCH COXE, February 11,1801

TO TENCH COXE.

Washington, February 11,1801.

Dear Sir,

Your favor of January the 25th came to hand some days ago, and yesterday a gentleman put into my hand, at the door of the Senate chamber, the volume of the American Museum for 1798.  As no letter accompanied it, I took it for granted it was to bring under my eye some of its contents.  I have gone over it with satisfaction.

This is the morning of the election by the House of Representatives.  For some time past a single individual had declared he would by his vote make up the ninth State.  On Saturday last he changed, and it stands at present eight one way, six the other, and two divided.  Which of the two will be elected, and whether either, I deem perfectly problematical:  and my mind has long been equally made up for either of the three events.  If I can find out the person who brought me the volume for you, I shall return it by him, because I presume it makes one of a set.  If not by him, I will find some other person who may convey it to Philadelphia if not to Lancaster.  Very possibly it may go by a different conveyance from this letter.  Very probably you will learn before