great measure subsided. They begin to suspect and to see it coolly in
its true light. Mr. Gerry's communications, with other information,
prove to them that France is sincere in her wishes for reconciliation;
and a recent proposition from that country, through Mr. Murray, puts the
matter out of doubt. What course the government will pursue, I know not.
But if we are left in peace, I have no doubt the wonderful turn in the
public opinion now manifestly taking place and rapidly increasing, will,
in the course of this summer, become so universal and so weighty, that
friendship abroad and freedom at home will be firmly established by the
influence and constitutional powers of the people at large. If we are
forced into war, we must give up political differences of opinion, and
unite as one man to defend our country. But whether at the close of such
a war, we should be as free as we are now, God knows. In fine, if war
takes place, republicanism has every thing to fear; if peace, be assured
that your forebodings and my alarms will prove vain; and that the spirit
of our citizens now rising as rapidly as it was then running crazy, and
rising with a strength and majesty which show the loveliness of freedom,
will make this government in practice, what it is in principle, a model
for the protection of man in a state of freedom and order. May Heaven
have in store for your country a restoration of these blessings, and you
be destined as the instrument it will use for that purpose. But if this
be forbidden by fate, I hope we shall be able to preserve here an asylum
where your love of liberty and disinterested patriotism will be for
ever protected and honored, and where you will find in the hearts of the
American people, a good portion of that esteem and affection which glow
in the bosom of the friend who writes this; and who with sincere prayers
for your health, happiness, and success, and cordial salutations, bids
you, for this time, adieu.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CCLI.--TO JAMES MADISON, February 26, 1799

TO JAMES MADISON.

Philadelphia, February 26, 1799.

Dear Sir,

My last to you was of the 19th; it acknowledged yours of the 8th. In
mine I informed you of the nomination of Murray. There is evidence that
the letter of Talleyrand was known to one of the Secretaries, therefore
probably to all; the nomination, however, is declared by one of them to
have been kept secret from them all. He added, that he was glad of it,
a