as been. Bankruptcies thicken, and the height of
them has by no means yet come on. It is thought this, winter will be
very trying.

Friendly salutations to Mrs. Madison. Adieu affectionately.

Th: Jefferson.

January 28. I enclose Marshall's propositions. They have been this
day postponed to the 1st of June, chiefly by the vote of the
anti-republicans, under the acknowledged fear that other amendments
would be also proposed, and that this is not the time for agitating the
public mind. T. J.

LETTER CCXXI.--TO JAMES MADISON, February 8, 1798

TO JAMES MADISON.

Philadelphia, February 8, 1798.

Dear Sir,

I wrote you last on the 25th ultimo; since which yours of the 21st has
been received. Bache had put five hundred copies of Monroe's book on
board a vessel, which was stopped by the early and unexpected freezing
of the river. He tried in vain to get them carried by fifties at a time,
by the stage. The river is now open here, the vessels are falling down,
and if they can get through the ice below, the one with Bache's packet
will soon be at Richmond. It is surmised here that Scipio is written by
C. Lee. Articles of impeachment were yesterday given in against Blount.
But many great preliminary questions will arise. Must not a formal law
settle the oath of the Senators, form of pleadings, process against
person or goods, &c. May he not appear by attorney? Must he not be tried
by a jury? Is a Senator impeachable? Is an ex-Senator impeachable? You
will readily conceive that these questions, to be settled by twenty-nine
lawyers, are not likely to come to speedy issue. A very disagreeable
question of privilege has suspended all other proceedings for some days.
You will see this in the newspapers. The question of arming vessels came
on, on Monday last; that morning, the President sent in an inflammatory
message about a vessel taken and burnt by a French privateer, near
Charleston. Of this he had been possessed some time, and it had been
through all the newspapers. It seemed to come in now apropos for
spurring on the disposition to arm. However, the question has not come
on. In the mean time the general spirit, even of the merchants, is
becoming adverse to it. In New Hampshire and Rhode Island they are
unanimously against arming; so in Baltimore. This place is becoming more
so. Boston divided and desponding. I know nothing of New York; but I
think there is no danger of the question being carried, unless somethi