University of Virginia Library

TO EDMUND RANDOLPH.

Your two favors of the 5th & 10th instant have
been duly recd. The appointments for the Senate
communicated in the latter, answer to the calculations
I had formed, notwithstanding the contrary
appearances on which the former was founded. My
only surprise is that in the present temper and disproportionate

number of the anti federal part of the
Assembly, my name should have been honored with
so great a vote as it received.[93] When this circumstance
is combined with that of the characters which
I have reason to believe concurred in it, I should be
justly chargeable with a very mistaken ambition, if
I did not consider the event in the light which you
anticipated. I shall not be surprised if the attempt
should be equally successful to shut the door of the
other House agst me, which was the real object of
my preference as well for the reason formerly suggested
to you, as for the additional one that it will
less require a stile of life with which my circumstances
do not square, & for which an inadequate
provision only will probably be made by the public.
Being not yet acquainted with the allottment of
Orange in the districts, I can form no estimate of
the reception that will be given to an offer of my
services. The district in which I am told it is likely
to be thrown, for the choice of an Elector, is a very
monitory sample of what may & probably will be
done in that way.

My present situation embarrasses me somewhat.
When I left N. York, I not only expected that the
Choice for the Senate would be as it is, but was
apprehensive yt the spirit of party might chuse to
add the supposed mortification of dropping my
name from the deputation to Congress for the fraction
of a year remaining. I accordingly left that

place under arrangements which did not require my
return. At the same time, I had it in view, if left
entirely to my option, to pass the Winter or part of
it there, being desirous of employing some of the
time in matters which need access to the papers of
Congress, & supposing moreover that I should be
there master more of my time yn in Virginia. The
opportunity of executing my plan is given me I
find by one of the votes of the Assembly. On the
other hand I am now pressed by some of my friends
to repair to Virginia, as a requisite expedient for
counteracting the machinations agst my election into
the H. of Reps. To this again I am extremely disinclined
for reasons additional to the one above mentioned.
It will have an electioneering appearance
which I always despised and wish to shun. And as
I should shew myself in Orange only, where there
will probably be little difficulty, my presence could
have no very favorable effect; whilst it is very possible
that such a mark of solicitude strengthened by
my not declining a reappointment to Congress, and
now declining to serve in it, might by a dexterous
misinterpretation, be made to operate on the other
side. These considerations are strong inducements
to join my colleagues at N. York, and leave things
to their own course in Virginia. If Orange should
fall into a federal district it is probable I shall not be
opposed; if otherwise a successful opposition seems
unavoidable. My decision however is not finally
taken.

Mr Dawson arrived here this morning. He took

Anapolis in his way, where he tells me the disputed
election of Baltimore engages the whole attention at
present.

Will you be good eno' to enable me to answer the
inclosed paper. I do not chuse to trust my recollection
of the law on the subject. The enquiry comes
from the French Consul at N. York.

You may continue to address yr. letters to N. York
till I give you other notice as they will not be lost
whatever direction I may take, and will be highly
grateful if I should go thither.