to be
learned. It is evident however, on reflection, that these papers do not
offer one motive the more for our going to war. Yet such is their effect
on the minds of wavering characters, that I fear, that, to wipe off
the imputation of being French partisans, they will go over to the war
measures so furiously pushed by the other party. It seems, indeed, as
if they were afraid they should not be able to get into war till Great
Britain shall be blown up, and the prudence of our countrymen from that
circumstance, have, influence enough to prevent it. The most artful
misrepresentations of the contents of these papers were published
yesterday, and produced such a shock in the republican mind, as had
never been seen since our independence. We are to dread the effects of
this dismay till their fuller information. Adieu.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CCXXXI.--TO JAMES MADISON, April 12, 1798

TO JAMES MADISON.

Philadelphia, April 12, 1798.

Dear Sir, I wrote you two letters on the 5th and 6th instant; since
which I have received yours of the 2nd. I send you, in a separate
package, the instructions to our Envoys and their communications. You
will find that my representation of their contents from memory,
was substantially just. The public mind appears still in a state of
astonishment. There never was a moment in which the aid of an able pen
was so important to place things in their just attitude. On this depend
the inchoate movement in the eastern mind, and the fate of the elections
in that quarter, now beginning and to continue through the summer. I
would not propose to you such a task on any ordinary occasion. But be
assured that a well digested analysis of these papers would now decide
the future turn of things, which are at this moment on the creen. The
merchants here are meeting under the auspices of Fitzsimmons, to address
the President and approve his propositions. Nothing will be spared on
that side. Sprigg's first resolution against the expediency of war,
proper at the time it was moved, is now postponed as improper, because
to declare that, after we have understood it has been proposed to us
to try peace, would imply an acquiescence under that proposition. All.
therefore, which the advocates of peace can now attempt, is to prevent
war measures externally, consenting to every rational measure of
internal defence and preparation. Great expenses will be incurred;
and it will be left to those whose measures rend