member declares he
means to go there, but though charged with an intention to come
away again, not one of them disavow it. This will engender incurable
distrust. The debate on Mr. Sprigg's resolutions has been interrupted
by a motion to call for papers. This was carried by a great majority.
In this case, there appeared a separate squad, to wit, the Pinckney
interest, which is a distinct thing, and will be seen sometimes to lurch
the President. It is in truth the Hamilton party, whereof Pinckney is
only made the stalking-horse. The papers have been sent in and read, and
it is now under debate in both Houses, whether they shall be published.
I write in the morning, and if determined in the course of the day in
favor of publication, I will add in the evening a general idea of their
character. Private letters from France, by a late vessel which sailed
from Havre, February the 5th, assure us that France, classing us in her
measures with the Swedes and Danes, has no more notion of declaring
war against us than them. You will see a letter in Bache's paper of
yesterday, which came addressed to me. Still the fate of Spring's
resolutions seems in perfect _equilibrio_. You will see in Fenno, two
numbers of a paper signed Marcellus. They promise much mischief, and are
ascribed, without any difference of opinion, to Hamilton. You must, my
dear Sir, take up your pen against this champion. You know the ingenuity
of his talents; and there is not a person but yourself who can foil him.
For Heaven's sake, then, take up your pen, and do not desert the public
cause altogether. Thursday evening. The Senate have, to-day, voted
the publication of the communications from our Envoys. The House
of Representatives decided against the publication by a majority of
seventy-five to twenty-four. The Senate adjourned, over to-morrow (good
Friday), to Saturday morning: but as the papers cannot be printed within
that time, perhaps the vote of the House of Representatives may induce
the Senate to reconsider theirs. For this reason, I think it my duty to
be silent on them. Adieu.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CCXXX.--TO JAMES MADISON, April 6, 1798

TO JAMES MADISON.

Philadelphia, April 6, 1798.

Dear Sir,

So much of the communications from our Envoys has got abroad, and so
partially, that there can now be no ground for reconsideration with the
Senate. I may therefore, consistently with duty do what every member of
the body is doing. Still, I w