Navy. Should it take place, I have fixed on a temporary arrangement, and in any event expect to get away in the course of two or four days, so as to be with you by the time you receive this or very soon after. It is the getting the naval department under way which alone detains me. My tenderest affections to my ever dear Martha and to the little ones. Friendly attachment to yourself.

TO CATHARINE CHURCH.1

WASHINGTON, March 27, 1801. I owe you a letter, my dear young friend. It is a debt I pay with pleasure, and therefore should not have so long delayed but for the importunity of others more urging and less indulgent. I thank you for your kind congratulations on the proof of public esteem lately bestowed on me. That you write in these sentiments renders them more dear to me. The post is not enviable, as it affords little exercise for social affections. There is something within us which makes us wish to have things conducted in our own way and which we generally fancy to be in patriotism. This ambition is gratified by such a position. But the heart would be happier

1 Catharine Church was the daughter of John B. Church, of New York, an intimate friend of Alexander Hamilton, and of Angelica Schuyler, his wife, Early in 1802 she was married to Bertram P. Cruger, by whom she had a large family. (See N. Y. Genealogical and Biographical Record, vol. vi. pp. 78, 79.) Her mother had long been a friend and correspondent of Jefferson.-Eds.

enjoying the affections of a family fireside. It is more than six weeks since I heard from Maria. This is a proof of her aversion to her pen, and must be her apology for not answering your letter, which she received in due time, and resolved to answer every day for a month before I parted with her last. She continues to love you as much as ever, and would give you, as she does me, every proof of it except writing letters. She is in a fair way to be again a mother. This will prevent her meeting me at home, in a short excursion I am about making thither. Mrs. Randolph always recollects you with her former affection. She is the mother of four children, and half of another. I shall endeavor to persuade them to come and see me here sometimes, and will not be without hopes it may tempt you to take a flying trip, which, in summer, is of three days only. Present my friendly respects to Mr. and Mrs. Church, and accept yourself assurances of my constant and affectionate attachment.

1

TO THOMAS MANN RANDOLPH.

WASHINGTON, May 14, 1801.

I take up my pen merely because I have not written to you since my arrival here, and simply to inform you I am well. I shall be happy to hear the same from you, and hope this day's post may bring me that information, or that Fontrees's wagon will do it, which, I expect, will arrive to-morrow or next

VOL. XVIII-16

day. We are selling off all our vessels except the 13 frigates established by law, bringing 7 of them to this place and sending out 3 to take exercise. The expense will be reduced to about half a million annually, great part of which will be paid this year by the proceeds of the sales of the others. We fear that Spain is ceding Louisiana to France, an inauspicious circumstance to us. Mr. Gallatin's arrival yesterday renders the organization of our new administration complete, and enables us to settle our system of proceeding. Mr. and Mrs. Madison and Miss Payne are lodging with us till they can get a house. Great desires are expressed here that Patsy and Maria should come on, but that I give no hopes of till autumn. My tenderest affections to Patsy and kisses to the young ones. Sincere attachment and friendly salutations to yourself.

P. S. I have engaged a capital whitesmith, who is a nailer also, to go on from Philadelphia in July.

TO THOMAS MANN RANDOLPH.

WASHINGTON, February 21, 1802.

DEAR SIR,-I am made happy by the regular accounts of the health of the inhabitants of Edgehill. Here there has been an uncommon degree of sickness, ascribed, of couse, to the mild winter, though we cannot see why. The House of Representatives have now been a week debating the judiciary law,

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,1 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 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