nclosed to you such papers as seemed
interesting. To-day I forward Bingham's amendment to the election bill
formerly enclosed to you, Mr. Pinckney's proposed amendment to the
constitution, and the report of the Ways and Means. Bingham's amendment
was lost by the usual majority of two to one. A very different one will
be proposed, containing the true sense of the minority, viz. that
the two Houses, voting by heads, shall decide such questions as the
constitution authorizes to be raised. This may probably be taken up in
the other House under better auspices, for though the federalists have
a great majority there, yet they are of a more moderate temper than for
some time past. The Senate, however, seem determined to yield to nothing
which shall give the other House greater weight in the decision on
elections than they have.

Mr. Pinckney's motion has been supported, and is likely to have some
votes which were not expected. I rather believe he will withdraw it, and
propose the same thing in the form of a bill; it being the opinion of
some that such a regulation is not against the present constitution. In
this form it will stand a better chance to pass, as a majority only
in both Houses will be necessary. By putting off the building the
seventy-fours and stopping enlistments, the loan will be reduced to
three and a half millions. But I think it cannot be obtained. For though
no new bankruptcies have happened here for some weeks, or in New York,
yet they continue to happen in Baltimore, and the whole commercial race
are lying on their oars, and gathering in their affairs, not knowing
what new failures may put their resources to the proof. In this state of
things they cannot lend money. Some foreigners have taken asylum among
us, with a good deal of money, who may perhaps choose that deposite.
Robbins's affair has been under agitation for some days. Livingston made
an able speech of two and a half hours yesterday. The advocates of the
measure feel it pressure heavily; and though they may be able to repel
Livingston's motion of censure, I do not believe they can carry Bayard's
of approbation. The landing of our Envoys at Lisbon will risk a very
dangerous consequence, insomuch as the news of Truxton's aggression will
perhaps arrive at Paris before our commissioners will. Had they gone
directly there, they might have been two months ahead of that news. We
are entirely without further information from Paris. By letters from
Bordea