in the same way.  His course has excited considerable alarm.  Timid men consider it as a proof of the weakness of our government, and that it is to be rent into pieces by demagogues and to end in anarchy.  I survey the scene with a different eye, and draw a different augury from it.  In a House of Representatives of a great mass of good sense, Mr. Randolph’s popular eloquence gave him such advantages as to place him unrivalled as the leader of the House; and, although not conciliatory to those whom he led, principles of duty and patriotism induced many of them to swallow humiliations he subjected them to, and to vote as was right, as long as he kept the path of right himself.  The sudden defection of such a man could not but produce a momentary astonishment, and even dismay; but for a moment only.  The good sense of the House rallied around its principles, and, without any leader, pursued steadily the business of the session, did it well, and by a strength of vote which has never before been seen.  Upon all trying questions, exclusive of the federalists, the minority of republicans voting with him, has been from four to six or eight, against from ninety to one hundred; and although he yet treats the federalists with ineffable contempt, yet having declared eternal opposition to this administration, and consequently associated with them in his votes, he will, like Mercer, end with them.  The augury I draw from this is that there is a steady good sense in the legislature, and in the body of the nation, joined with good intentions, which will lead them to discern and to pursue the public good under all circumstances which can arise, and that no ignis faiuus will be able to lead them long astray.  In the present case, the public sentiment, as far as declarations of it have yet come in, is, without a single exception, in firm adherence to the administration.  One popular paper is endeavoring to maintain equivocal ground; approving the administration in all its proceedings, and Mr. Randolph in all those which have heretofore merited approbation, carefully avoiding to mention his late aberration.  The ultimate view of this paper is friendly to you, and the editor, with more judgment than him who assumes to be at the head of your friends, sees that the ground of opposition to the administration is not that on which it would be advantageous to you to be planted.  The great body of your friends are among the firmest adherents to the administration, and in their support of you will suffer Mr. Randolph to have no communications with them.  My former letter told you the line which both duty and inclination would lead me sacredly to pursue.  But it is unfortunate for you, to be embarrassed with such a soi-disant friend.  You must not commit yourself to him.  These views may assist you to understand such details as Mr. Pinckney will give you.  If you are here at any time before the fall, it will be in time for any object you may have, and by that time the public sentiment will be