ord must be a forgery, and if it contains a sentiment unfriendly or
disrespectful to you, I affirm it solemnly to be a forgery; as also if
it varies, from the copy enclosed. With the common trash of slander I
should not think of troubling you; but the forgery of one's hand-writing
is too imposing to be neglected. A mutual knowledge of each other
furnishes us with the best test of the contrivances which will be
practised by the enemies of both.

Accept assurances of my high respect and esteem.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CCLXIX.--TO GOVERNOR M'KEAN, February 2, 1801

TO GOVERNOR M'KEAN.

Washington, February 2, 1801.

Dear Sir,

I have long waited for an opportunity to acknowledge the receipt of
your favor of December the 15th, as well as that by Dr. Mendenhall. None
occurring, I shall either deliver the present to General Muhlenburg or
put it under cover to Dr. Wistar, to whom I happen to be writing, to
be sent to your house in Philadelphia, or forwarded confidentially to
Lancaster.

The event of the election is still in dubio. A strong portion in the
House of Representatives will prevent an election if they can. I rather
believe they will not be able to do it, as there are six individuals of
moderate character, any one of whom coming over to the republican vote
will make a ninth state. Till this is known, it is too soon for me to
say what should be done in such atrocious cases as those you mention of
federal officers obstructing the operation of the State governments. One
thing I will say, that as to the future, interferences with elections,
whether of the State or General Government, by officers of the latter,
should be deemed cause of removal; because the constitutional remedy by
the elective principle becomes nothing, if it may be smothered by
the enormous patronage of the General Government. How far it may be
practicable, prudent, or proper, to look back, is too great a question
to be decided but by the united wisdom of the whole administration when
formed. Our situation is so different from yours, that it may render
proper some differences in the practice. Your State is a single body,
the majority clearly one way. Ours is of sixteen integral parts, some
of them all one way, some all the other, some divided. Whatever my
be decided as to the past, they shall give no trouble to the State
governments in future, if it shall depend on me; and be assured,
particularly as to yourself, that I should consider