and scarcely seem to be yet on the threshold of it. I begin to apprehend a long session; however, I believe all material matters recommended in the first day's message will prevail. The majority begins to draw better together than at first. Still there are some wayward freaks which now and then disturb the operations.

I know nothing of the person from Loudon who went to take Shadwell, having never heard of him. till your letter. In a letter to Mr. Craven, which he received on the day of the date of yours, I expressed a wish that he could bring some good tenant to it; and as the man happened to be with him that very day, he made an agreement with him to take all, except the yard, on Peyton's terms; but as to the yard, that remains to be arranged. I have written to him on the subject.

I forward you two newspapers presenting two versions of Hamilton's speeches. The language of insurgency is that of the party at present, even in Congress. Mr. Bayard,' in a speech of seven hours, talked with confidence of the possibility of resistance by arms. They expect to frighten us, but are met. with perfect sang froid. Present my warmest affections to my ever dear Martha and the little ones, and be assured of my constant and sincere attachment.

1 James A. Bayard of Delaware, one of the most eminent and influential Federalists in the House of Representatives. He strenuously resisted the appeal of the Judiciary Act.-EDS.

TO THOMAS MANN RANDOLPH.

WASHINGTON, December 19, 1803. DEAR SIR,-The post of last night brings us agreeable information from New Orleans and Natchez. General Wilkinson arrived at New Orleans from Mobile Nov. 25, settled immediately with Laussat all the circumstance of the delivery, and proceeded next day to Fort Adams, where he would arrive on the 30th, and expect to meet Claiborne there ready for embarkation. On the 29th Laussat demanded possession of the Spanish officers, who instantly agreed to deliver the place on the next day (30th) at noon and every thing was arranged for that purpose. Laussat meant to garrison the forts with militia, and to appoint a person to every office civil and military to take the place of the Spanish incumbents. In all this he acted in concert with Clarke, mixing many Americans in the offices, and giving the command of the militia to a friend of Clarke's. Claiborne embarked 100 militia Dec. 1, from Natchez for Fort Adams, and set out Dec. 2 by land for the same place, expecting to fall in with and carry on to that place 80 militia more. He would find Wilkinson there with all the regulars ready for embarkation, which probably took place on the 3d or 4th, and they would arrive at New Orleans the 6th or 7th. If on the 6th, we shall hear of it Christmas night; if not till the 7th, we shall not hear it till the night of New

Year's day.' The Marquis of Casa Calva had ordered the barracks to be got ready to receive and accommodate our troops, and proposed to embark all his own, the moment he had delivered the place, on board an armed vessel then lying ready to receive them; so that they will be gone before the arrival of our troops. Laussat would hold the government about a week. This is for yourself and Mr. Eppes." My tender love to my dear Martha and Maria, and all the young ones, and affectionate salutations to yourself and Mr. Eppes.

TO MARTHA JEFFERSON RANDOLPH.

WASHINGTON, Oct, 7, 1804.

MY DEAR MARTHA,-I arrived here this day week, having travelled through the rain of that day rather than stay in disagreeable quarters. I experienced no inconvenience from it. The Marquis Yrujo arrived two days after me, and Mr. Madison and General Dearborn got here the last night. The latter has left his family in Maine for the winter. Yrujo is said to be very ill, taken two days ago. I enclose a magazine for Jefferson, merely for the sake of the plate which may add to the collection for his room.3

You

1 1 For an account of the delivery of Louisiana to the United States, see Henry Adams's History of the United States, vol. ii. p. 256.-EDS. 2 Maria, Jefferson's youngest surviving daughter, had married her half-cousin, John Eppes, October 13, 1797. She died April 17, 1804.

-Eds.

'Thomas Jefferson Randolph, Jefferson's eldest grandson, was then about twelve years old.-EDS.

will see in the magazine an account of a new work by Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. Cosway, and Mrs. Watson, which must be curious.1 A great deal of sickness has been and still exists in this place: I trust, however, that the hard frosts we had a week ago have destroyed the germ of new cases. The sickness of the summer has been so general that we may consider the exemption of our canton from it as very remarkable. Four weeks to-morrow our winter campaign opens. I dread it on account of the fatigues of the table in such a round of company, which I consider as the most serious trials I undergo. I wish much to turn it over to younger hands and to be myself but a guest at the table and free to leave it as others are; but whether this would be tolerated is uncertain. I hope Mr. Randolph, yourself, and the dear children continue well. I miss you all at all times, but especially at breakfast, dinner, and the evening, when I have been used to unbend from the labors of the day. Present me affectionately to Mr. Randolph, and my kisses to the young ones. My tender and unchangeable love to yourself. Adieu, my ever dear daughter.

1

1 This may have been the "Progress of Female Virtue and of Female Dissipation," a set of aquatints, designed by Maria Cosway, and executed by Caroline Watson. See Dictionary of National Biography, 10.-EDS.

vol. xii. p. 279, vol. lx. p.

TO GEORGE JEFFERSON.

WASHINGTON, June 12, 1805.

DEAR SIR, Mr. John D. Burke of Petersburg, engaged in writing the history of Virginia has asked the use of a volume of laws and some volumes of ancient newspapers from the library at Monticello. I have desired Mr. Randolph to send them to you, and will pray you to deliver the volumes of newspapers to Mr. Burke himself; but the volume of laws being the only copy of the laws of that period now existing, and being consequently often resorted to in judiciary cases, I wish it to remain in Richmond, where others who may have occasion, as well as Mr. Burke, may have such free access as is consistent with the safe keeping of the volume. This may be in the office of any careful clerk who will undertake it for Mr. Burke, or wherever else you may think proper to deposit them. I have directed these volumes to be sent you well packed in a water-tight box, so that they may be safe from rubbing and wet, and will pray you to have them returned to me with like care when Mr. Burke is done with them. Accept affectionate salutations.

TO JAMES OGILVIE.1

WASHINGTON, June 23, 1806.

DEAR SIR, AS Mr. Randolph might possibly be from home and the inclosed in that case be opened by

'See Dictionary of National Biography, vol. xlii. p. 18. The letter here printed refers to the bitter quarrel between Thomas Mann Ran