must affect the line of conduct to be
observed. I regret it the more too, because from the commencement of
the ensuing session, I shall trust the post-offices with nothing
confidential, persuaded that during the ensuing twelve months they will
lend their inquisitorial aid to furnish matter for newspapers. I shall
send you as usual printed communications, without saying any thing
confidential on them. You will of course understand the cause.

In your new station let me recommend to you the jury system: as also
the restoration of juries in the court of chancery, which a law not
long since repealed, because 'the trial by jury is troublesome and
expensive.' If the reason be good, they should abolish it at common law
also. If Peter Carr is elected in the room of ------ he will undertake
the proposing this business, and only need your support. If he is not
elected, I hope you will get it done otherwise. My best respects to Mrs.
Madison, and affectionate salutations to yourself.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CCLVI.--TO COLONEL MONROE, January 12, 1800

TO COLONEL MONROE.

Philadelphia, January 12, 1800.

Dear Sir,

Yours of January the 4th was received last night. I had then no
opportunity of communicating to you confidentially information of the
state of opinions here; but I learn to-night that two Mr. Randolphs will
set out to-morrow morning for Richmond. If I can get this into their
hands I shall send it; otherwise it may wait longer. On the subject of
an election by a general ticket or by districts, most persons here seem
to have made up their minds. All agree that an election by districts
wrould be best, if it could be general: but while ten States choose
either by their legislatures or by a general ticket, it is folly and
worse than folly for the other six not to do it. In these ten States the
minority is certainly unrepresented; and their majorities not only have
the weight of their whole State in their scale, but have the benefit of
so much of our minorities as can succeed at a district election.
This is, in fact, insuring to our minorities the appointment of the
government. To state it in another form; it is merely a question,
whether we will divide the United States into sixteen or one hundred
and thirty-seven districts. The latter being more chequered, and
representing the people in smaller sections, would be more likely to
be an exact representation of their diversified sentiments. But a
representation