them with sincerity. Perhaps in time they will get tamed. Our prospect as to the election has been alarming; as a strong disposition exists to prevent an election, and that case not being provided for by the Constitution, a dissolution of the government seemed possible. At present there is a prospect that some, though Federalists, will prefer yielding to the wishes of the people rather than have no government. If I am fixed here, it will be but three easy days' journey from you, so that I should hope you and the family could pay an annual visit here at least; which with mine to Monticello of the spring and fall, might enable us to be together four or five months of the year. On this subject, however, we may hereafter converse, lest we should be counting chickens before they are hatched. I inclose for Anne a story, too long to be got by heart but worth reading. Kiss them all for me, and keep them in mind of me. Tell Ellen I am afraid she has forgotten me. I shall probably be with you the first week in April, as I shall endeavor to be at our court for that month. Continue to love me, my dear Martha, and be assured of my unalterable and tenderest love to you. Adieu.

P. S. Hamilton is using his uttermost influence to procure my election rather than Colonel Burr's.

TO THOMAS MANN RANDOLPH.

WASHINGTON, January 29 [1801]. Yours of the 24th came to hand last night. On application to the Postmaster General it seems that I should have put my letters into the office here on the Thursday instead of Friday. This accordingly goes to the office this day, which is Thursday, and therefore ought to get to you on Thursday next. It may very likely, therefore, go with my letter of the 23d.

I am very glad, indeed, to find that Lilly has got so strong a gang, independent of yours and the nailers. With respect to yours, I wish you to do exactly what is most for your own interest, either keeping them yourself or putting any of them with mine as best suits your own convenience. I still think it will be better that such of the nailers as may be able to handle the axe should be employed with it till April, that is to say, till Powell comes. It will be useful to them morally and physically, and I have work enough of that kind with the canal and road to give them full employment. Perhaps, as the blowing to be done in the canal will be tedious, it might be worth while to keep Joe and Wormely employed on that in all good weather; if you think so, they should work separately, as I think that one hand to hold the auger and one to strike is throwing away the labor of one. There should be force enough kept in the nailery to supply our standing custom

ers. There is another reason for employing only the weaker hands in the nailery. I do not believe there is rod to emply the whole any length of time, and none can be got to them till April. I should be glad [if] Mr. Lilly or Mr. Dinsmore would count the fagots on hand, and inform me of the quantity by return of post, as I have forgotten the state of the supplies on hand when I left home. Mr. Wilson Nicholas and myself have this day joined in ordering clover seed from New York, where it is to be had, it is said, at twelve dollars. I have ordered five bushels for you. I believe I have none to sow myself. Mr. Jefferson informs me two small casks of wine are forwarded for me to Milton. Out of this I wish to you take what I borrowed of you, and I will be thankful to you to inform me as soon as you can of the size of the casks, that I may know how to proportion the equivalent to Mr. Yznardi. It should be stored in the dining-room cellar, and that secured by double locks, as I presume it is. With respect to the election, there is no change of appearance since my last. The main body of the Federalists are determined to elect Burr or to prevent an election. We have eight States certain; they six, and two divided. There are six individuals of moderate disposition, any one of which coming over to us will make a ninth vote. I dare not trust more through the post. My tender love to my ever dear Martha and to the little ones. believe I must ask her to give directions to Goliah

I

in the

and his senile corps to prepare what they can garden, as it is very possible I may Accept assurances of my sincere affection.

want it. Adieu.

TO THOMAS MANN RANDOLPH.

WASHINGTON, March 12, 1801.

DEAR SIR,-I mentioned to you in my letter by Mr. Nicholas that I should be able by this post to fix a day for the departure of Davy Bowles with my chair and horses, and that he should be in readiness; though it is impossible for me to say to a day when I can set out from hence, yet I expect it may be by the time you receive this. I would therefore have him set off from Monticello on Saturday the 21st inst. and come to Mr. Heron's in Culpeper, half a mile this side of Mr. Strode's, where he will arrive on Sunday the 22d, and will wait for me till I get there, which, if nothing unexpected occurs, will be on that or the next day. But circumstances might arise which might detain me longer, in which case he must wait here. It is probable Mr. Strode will press him much to go with the horses to his house, but he must be charged expressly to continue at Heron's, which is a house of entertainment. My stay at home cannot exceed a fortnight, or a very few days over that.

I am still at a great loss, Mr. Madison not having been able to come on as yet, Mr. Gallatin not agree

ing to join us till my return,' and not knowing as yet where to get a Secretary of the Navy; General Smith refused, so did Mr. Langdon. I am now pressing again on General Smith, but with little hope of his acceding; in that case my distress will be very great. Hitherto appearances of reunion are very flattering, in all the States south of New England. A few removals from office will be indispensable. They will be chiefly for real malconduct, and mostly in the offices connected with the administration of justice. I shall do as little in that way as possible. This may occasion some outcry; but it must be met. One removal will give me a great deal of pain, because it will pain you [illegible] it would be inexcusable [in] me to make that exception. The prostitution of justice by packing of juries cannot be passed over. Embrace my dear Martha for me a thousand times, and kisses to the young ones. To yourself affectionate esteem and attachment.

TO THOMAS MANN RANDOLPH.

WASHINGTON, March 26, 1801.

I am still here, and not yet absolutely certain of the moment I can get off. I fear I shall this evening receive a fourth refusal of the Secretaryship of the

'James Madison was the new Secretary of State, and Albert Gallatin the new Secretary of the Treasury, but the latter did not take office immediately. See Lanman's Biographical Annals, p. 506.— EDS.