University of Virginia Library

TO EDMUND RANDOLPH.

I have received your favor of the 3 inst. By a
letter from Mr. Turberville of later date I have the
mortification to find that our friend Mr. Jones has
not succeeded in his wish to be translated from the
Executive to the Judiciary Department. I had supposed
that he stood on ground that could not fail
him in a case of that sort, and am wholly at a loss to
account for the disappointment.

The Count de Moustier arrived a few days ago as
successor to the Chevr. de la Luzerne. He had so

long a passage that I do not know whether the dispatches
brought by him, contain much that is new.
It seems that although the affairs of Holland are put
into a pacific train, those of the Russians & Turks
may yet produce a general broil in Europe. The
Prussian Troops are to be withdrawn & the fate of the
Dutch regulated by negociation.

The intelligence from Massachts. begins to be rather
ominous to the Constitution. The interest opposed to
it is reinforced by all connected with the late insurrection,
and by the province of Mayne which apprehends
difficulties under the new system in obtaining
a separate government greater than may be otherwise
experienced. Judging from the present state
of the intelligence as I have it, the probability is that
the voice of that State will be in the negative. The
Legislature of this State is much divided at present.
The House of Assembly are said to be friendly to the
merits of the Constitution. The Senate, at least a
majority of those actually assembled, are opposed
even to the calling a Convention. The decision of
Massts. in either way, will decide the voice of this
State. The minority of Penna. are extremely restless
under their defeat, will endeavor at all events if they
can get an assembly to their wish to undermine what
has been done there, and will it is presumed be emboldened
by a negative from Massts. to give a more
direct & violent form to their attack. The accounts
from Georgia are favorable to the Constitution. So
they are also from S. Carolina, as far as they extend.

If I am not misinformed as to the arrival of some

members of Congress in Town, a quorum is at length
made up.