A new subject of congratulation has arisen.  I mean the regeneration of Rhode Island.  I hope it is the beginning of that resurrection of the genuine spirit of New England which rises for life eternal.  According to natural order, Vermont will emerge next, because least, after Rhode Island, under the yoke of hierocracy.  I have never dreamed that all opposition was to cease.  The clergy, who have missed their union with the State, the Anglomen, who have missed their union with England, and the political adventurers, who have lost the chance of swindling and plunder in the waste of public money, will never cease to bawl, on the breaking up of their sanctuary.  But among the people, the schism is healed, and with tender treatment the wound will not re-open.  Their quondam leaders have been astounded with the suddenness of the desertion:  and their silence and appearance of acquiescence have proceeded not from a thought of joining us, but the uncertainty what ground to take.  The very first acts of the administration, the nominations, have accordingly furnished something to yelp on; and all our subsequent acts will furnish them fresh matter, because there is nothing against which human ingenuity will not be able to find something to say.

Accept assurances of my sincere attachment and high respect.

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CCLXXXV.—­TO NATHANIEL MACON, May 14, 1801

TO NATHANIEL MACON.

Washington, May 14, 1801.

Dear Sir,

Your favors of April the 20th and 23rd had been received, and the commission made out for Mr. Potts, before I received the letter of the 1st instant.  I have still thought it better to forward the commission, in the hope that reconsideration, or the influence of yourself and friends, might induce an acceptance of it.  Should it be otherwise, you must recommend some other good person, as I had rather be guided by your opinion than that of the person you refer me to.  Perhaps Mr. Potts may be willing to stop the gap till you meet and repeal the law.  If he does not, let me receive a recommendation from you as quickly as possible.  And in all cases, when an office becomes vacant in your State, as the distance would occasion a great delay, were you to wait to be regularly consulted, I shall be much obliged to you to recommend the best characters.  There is nothing I am so anxious about as making the best possible appointments, and no case in which the best men are more liable to mislead us, by yielding to the solicitations of applicants.  For this reason your own spontaneous recommendation would be desirable.  Now to answer your particulars, seriatim.

Levees are done away.

The first communication to the nest Congress will be, like all subsequent ones, by message, to which no answer will be expected.

The diplomatic establishment in Europe will be reduced to three ministers.