Present my respects to Mrs. Monroe, and accept assurances of my high and affectionate consideration and attachment.

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CCLXXV.—­TO GOVERNOR M’KEAN, March 9, 1801

TO GOVERNOR M’KEAN.

Washington, March 9, 1801.

Dear Sir,

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of February the 20th, and to thank you for your congratulations on the event of the election.  Had it terminated in the elevation of Mr. Burr every republican would, I am sure, have acquiesced in a moment; because, however it might have been variant from the intentions of the voters, yet it would have been agreeable to the constitution.  No man would more cheerfully have submitted than myself, because I am sure the administration would have been republican, and the chair of the Senate permitting me to be at home eight months in the year, would, on that account, have been much more consonant to my real satisfaction.  But in the event of an usurpation, I was decidedly with those who were determined not to permit it.  Because that precedent, once set, would be artificially reproduced, and end soon in a dictator.  Virginia was bristling up, I believe.  I shall know the particulars from Governor Monroe, whom I expect to meet in a short visit I must make home, to select some books, &c. necessary here, and make other domestic arrangements.

Accept assurances of my high esteem and regard.

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CCLXXVI.—­TO JOEL BARLOW, March 14, 1801

TO JOEL BARLOW.

Washington, March 14, 1801.

Dear Sir,

Not having my papers here, it is not in my power to acknowledge the receipt of your letters by their dates, but T am pretty certain I have received two in the course of the last twelve months, one of them covering your excellent second letter.  Nothing can be sounder than the principles it inculcates, and I am not without hopes they will make their way.  You have understood that the revolutionary movements in Europe had, by industry and artifice, been wrought into objects of terror even to this country, and had really involved a great portion of our well-meaning citizens in a panic which was perfectly unaccountable, and during the prevalence of which they were led to support measures the most insane.  They are now pretty thoroughly recovered from it, and sensible of the mischief which was done, and preparing to be done, had their minds continued a little longer under that derangement.  The recovery bids fair to be complete, and to obliterate entirely the line of party division which had been so strongly drawn.  Not that their late leaders have come over, or ever can come over.  But they stand, at present, almost without followers.  The principal of them have retreated into the judiciary, as a strong hold, the tenure of which renders it difficult