ing election. Langdon
yesterday, in debate, mentioned this current report. Tracy, in reply,
declared he knew of no such thing, did not believe it, nor would be its
advocate.

An attempt has been made to get the Quakers to come forward with a
petition, to aid with the weight of their body the feeble band of peace.
They have, with some effort, got a petition signed by a few of their
society; the main body of their society refuse it. M'Lay's peace motion
in the Assembly of Pennsylvania was rejected with an unanimity of the
Quaker vote, and it seems to be well understood, that their attachment
to England is stronger than to their principles or their country. The
revolution war was a first proof of this. Mr. White, from the federal
city, is here, soliciting money for the buildings at Washington. A
bill for two hundred thousand dollars has passed the House of
Representatives, and is before the Senate, where its fate is entirely
uncertain. He has become perfectly satisfied that Mr. Adams is radically
against the government's being there. Goodhue (his oracle) openly said
in committee, in presence of White, that he knew the government was
obliged to go there, but they would not be obliged to stay there. Mr.
Adams said to White, that it would be better that the President should
rent a common house there, to live in; that no President would live in
the one now building. This harmonizes with Goodhue's idea of a short
residence. I wrote this in the morning, but need not part with it till
night. If any thing occurs in the day, it shall be added. Adieu.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CCXXIX.--TO JAMES MADISON, April 5, 1798

TO JAMES MADISON.

Philadelphia, April 5, 1798.

Dear Sir,

I wrote you last on the 29th ultimo; since which I have no letter from
you. These acknowledgments regularly made and attended to will show
whether any of my letters are intercepted, and the impression of my seal
on wax (which shall be constant hereafter) will discover whether they
are opened by the way. The nature of some of my communications furnishes
ground of inquietude for their safe conveyance. The bill for the federal
buildings labors hard in Senate, though, to lessen opposition, the
Maryland Senator himself proposed to reduce the two hundred thousand
dollars to one third of that sum. Sedgwick and Hill-house violently
oppose it. I conjecture that the votes will be either thirteen for and
fifteen against it, or fourteen and fourteen. Every