ted States, subsequent to a treaty, control its operation, and
that the legislature is the only power which can control a treaty. Both
points are sound beyond doubt. This bill will unquestionably pass
the House of Representatives; the majority there being very decisive,
consolidated, and bold enough to do any thing. I have no doubt from the
hints dropped, they will pass a bill to declare the French treaty void.
I question if they will think a declaration of war prudent, as it might
alarm, and all its effects are answered by the act authorizing captures.
A bill is brought in for suspending all communication with the dominions
of France, which will no doubt pass. It is suspected they mean to borrow
money of individuals in London, on the credit of our land-tax, and
perhaps the guarantee of Great Britain. The land-tax was yesterday
debated, and a majority of six struck out the thirteenth section of the
classification of houses, and taxed them by a different scale from the
lands. Instead of this, is to be proposed a valuation of the houses
and lands together. Macon yesterday laid a motion on the table for
adjourning on the 14th. Some think they do not mean to adjourn; others,
that they wait first the return of the Envoys, for whom it is now avowed
the brig Sophia was sent. It is expected she would bring them off about
the middle of this month. They may, therefore, be expected here about
the second week of July. Whatever be their decision as to adjournment,
I think it probable my next letter will convey orders for my horses, and
that I shall leave this place from the 20th to the 25th of June: for
I have no expectation they will actually adjourn sooner. Volney and a
ship-load of others sail on Sunday next. Another ship-load will go off
in about three weeks. It is natural to expect they go under irritations
calculated to fan the flame. Not so Volney. He is most thoroughly
impressed with the importance of preventing war, whether considered
with reference to the interests of the two countries, of the cause of
republicanism, or of man on the broad scale. But an eagerness to render
this prevention impossible, leaves me without any hope. Some of those
who have insisted that it was long since war on the part of France, are
candid enough to admit that it is now begun on our part also. I enclose
for your perusal a poem on the alien-bill, written by Mr. Marshall. I
do this, as well for your amusement, as to get you to take care of
this co