University of Virginia Library

TO EDMUND RANDOLPH.[1]

Dear Si,—I have your favor of the first instant.
I hope you have received mine, although you do not
acknowledge them. My punctuality has not been
intermitted more than once or twice since your departure,
and in no instance for a considerable time
past.

I have written so fully concerning the flags that I
have nothing to add on that subject, but that I wish
the Senate may, by their perseverance on this occasion,
exemplify the utility of a check to the precipitate
acts of a single legislature.

Having raised my curiosity by your hints as to
certain manœuvres, you will not forget your responsibility
to gratify it. The pleasure I feel at your being
included in the commission for vindicating the claims
of Virginia, is considerably impaired by my fears that
it may retard your return hither.

Great as my partiality is to Mr. Jefferson, the mode
in which he seems determined to revenge the wrong
received from his country does not appear to me to be
dictated either by philosophy or patriotism.[2] It argues,

indeed, a keen sensibility and strong consciousness of
rectitude. But this sensibility ought to be as great
towards the relentings as the misdoings of the Legislature,
not to mention the injustice of visiting the
faults of this body on their innocent constituents.

Sir Guy Carleton still remains silent. The resolutions
which the Legislatures of the States are passing,
may, perhaps, induce him to spare British pride the
mortification of supplicating in vain the forgiveness
of rebels.

Mr. Izard, warm and notorious as his predilection
for the Lees is, acknowledges and laments the opposition
made by them to measures adapted to the
public weal.

The letter in the first page of the Gazette of this
morning was written by Mr. Marbois.[3] In an evening
of promiscuous conversation I suggested to him
my opinion, that the insidiousness of the British Court,
and the good faith of our ally, displayed in the late
abortive attempt of the former to seduce the latter,
might with advantage be made known, in some form

or other, to the public at large. He said he would
think of the matter, and next day sent me the letter
in question, with a request that I would revise and
translate it for the press, the latter of which was
done. I mention this that you may duly appreciate
the facts and sentiments contained in this publication.