the receipt of either, the result, or progress at least, of the election.  We see already at the threshold, that if it falls on me, I shall be embarrassed by finding the offices vacant, which cannot be even temporarily filled but with advice of Senate, and that body is called on the fourth of March, when it is impossible for the new members of Kentucky, Georgia, and South Carolina to receive notice in time to be here.  The summons for Kentucky, dated, as all were, January the 31st, could not go hence till the 5th, and that for Georgia did not go till the 6th.  If the difficulties of the election, therefore, are got over, there are more and more behind, until new elections shall have regenerated the constituted authorities.  The defects of our constitution under circumstances like the present, appear very great.  Accept assurances of the esteem and respect of, Dear Sir, your most obedient servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CCLXXI.—­TO JAMES MONROE, February 15, 1801

TO JAMES MONROE.

Washington, February 15, 1801.

Dear Sir,

I have received several letters from you which have not been acknowledged.  By the post I dare not, and one or two confidential opportunities have passed me by surprise.  I have regretted it the less, because I know you could be more safely and fully informed by others.  Mr. Tyler, the bearer of this, will give you a great deal more information personally than can be done by letter.  Four days of balloting have produced not a single change of a vote.  Yet it is confidently believed by most that to-morrow there is to be a coalition.  I know of no foundation for this belief.  However, as Mr. Tyler waits the event of it, he will communicate it to you.  If they could have been permitted to pass a law for putting the government into the hands of an officer, they would certainly have prevented an election.  But we thought it best to declare openly and firmly, one and all, that the day such an act passed, the middle States would arm, and that no such usurpation, even for a single day, should be submitted to.  This first shook them; and they were completely alarmed at the resource for which we declared, to wit, a convention to re-organize the government, and to amend it.  The very word convention gives them the horrors, as in the present democratical spirit of America, they fear they should lose some of the favorite morsels of the constitution.  Many attempts have been made to obtain terms and promises from me.  I have declared to them unequivocally, that I would not receive the government on capitulation, that I would not go into it with my hands tied.  Should they yield the election, I have reason to expect in the outset the greatest difficulties as to nominations.  The late incumbents running away from their offices and leaving them vacant, will prevent my filling them without the previous advice of Senate.  How this difficulty is to be got over I know not.  Accept for Mrs. Monroe and yourself my affectionate salutations.  Adieu.