undermine the government, have the address
to screen themselves, and direct the hue and cry against those who
wished to drag them into light. A bolder party-stroke was never struck.
For it certainly is an attempt of a party, who find they have lost their
majority in one branch of the legislature, to make a law by the aid of
the other branch and of the executive, under color of a treaty, which
shall bind up the hands of the adverse branch from ever restraining the
commerce of their patron-nation. There appears a pause at present in
the public sentiment, which may be followed by a revulsion. This is the
effect of the desertion of the merchants, of the President's chiding
answer to Boston and Richmond, of the writings of Curtius and Camillus,
and of the quietism into which people naturally fall after first
sensations are over. For God's sake take up your pen, and give a
fundamental reply to Curtius and Camillus. Adieu affectionately.

LETTER CLXXXVII.--TO EDWARD RUTLEDGE, November 30, 1795

TO EDWARD RUTLEDGE.

Monticello, November 30, 1795,

My Dear Sir,

I received your favor of October the 12th by your son, who has been kind
enough to visit me here, and from whose visit I have received all that
pleasure which I do from whatever comes from you, and especially from
a subject so deservedly dear to you. He found me in a retirement I
doat on, living like an antediluvian patriarch among my children
and grandchildren, and tilling my soil. As he had lately come from
Philadelphia, Boston, &c. he was able to give me a great deal of
information of what is passing in the world, and I pestered him with
questions pretty much as our friends Lynch, Nelson, &c. will us, when we
step across the Styx, for they will wish to know what has been passing
above ground since they left us. You hope I have not abandoned entirely
the service of our country. After five and twenty years' continual
employment in it, I trust it will be thought I have fulfilled my tour,
like a punctual soldier, and may claim my discharge. But I am glad of
the sentiment from you, my friend, because it gives a hope you will
practise what you preach, and come forward in aid of the public vessel.
I will not admit your old excuse, that you are in public service though
at home. The campaigns which are fought in a man's own house are not to
be counted. The present situation of the President, unable to get the
offices filled, really calls with uncommon obligation