ther it would be better for them to come over in a
body and go with the tide of the times, or by a negative conduct suffer
the election to be made by a bare majority, keeping their body entire
and unbroken, to act in phalanx on such ground of opposition as
circumstances shall offer: and I know their determination on this
question only by their vote of yesterday. Morris of Vermont withdrew,
which made Lyon's vote that of his State. The Maryland federalists put
in four blanks, which made the positive ticket of their colleagues the
vote of the State. South Carolina and Delaware put in six blanks. So
there were ten states for one candidate, four for another, and two
blanks. We consider this, therefore, as a declaration of war, on the
part of this band. But their conduct appears to have brought over to us
the whole body of federalists, who, being alarmed with the danger of a
dissolution of the government, had been made most anxiously to wish the
very administration they had opposed, and to view it when obtained, as a
child of their own.

*****

Mr. A. embarrasses us. He keeps the offices of State and War vacant, but
has named Bayard Minister Plenipotentiary to France, and has called an
unorganized Senate to meet the fourth of March. As you do not like to
be here on that day, I wish you would come within a day or two after.
I think that between that and the middle of the month we can so far put
things under way, as that we may go home to make arrangements for our
final removal. Come to Conrad's, where I will bespeak lodgings for you.
Yesterday Mr. A. nominated Baynard to be Minister Plenipotentiary of
the United States to the French republic; to-day, Theophilus Parsons,
Attorney General of the United States in the room of C. Lee, who, with
Keith Taylor _cum multis aliis_, are appointed judges under the new
system. H. G. Otis is nominated a District Attorney. A vessel has been
waiting for some time in readiness to carry the new Minister to France.
My affectionate salutations to Mrs. Madison.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CCLXXIII.--TO JOHN DICKINSON, March 6, 1801

TO JOHN DICKINSON.

Washington, March 6, 1801.

Dear Sir,

No pleasure can exceed that which I received from reading your letter
of the 21st ultimo. It was like the joy we expect in the mansions of the
blessed, when received with the embraces of our forefathers, we shall be
welcomed with their blessing as having done our part not unworthily
of them. The