University of Virginia Library

TO JAMES MONROE.

Since I parted from you I have had several letters
from Mr. J. in which all the facts involving Genet
are detailed. His conduct has been that of a madman.
He is abandoned even by his votaries in
Philada. Hutchison declares that he has ruined the
Republican interest in that place. I wish I could
forward the details I have recd but they are too confidential
to be hazarded by the casual conveyance to
which this is destined. They ought however to have
no other effect on the steps to be pursued than to
caution agst. founding any of them on the presumed
inculpability of Genet. As he has put himself on such
unjustifiable ground, perhaps it is fortunate that he
has done it in so flagrant a manner. It will be the
more easily believed here that he has acted agst. the
sense of his Constituents, and the latter will be the
less likely to support him in his errors. I find that
the Anglicans & Monocrats from Boston to Philada,
are betrayed by the occasion into the most palpable
discovery of their real views. They already lose

sight of the Agent; and direct their hostilities immediately
agst. France. This will do good, if proper use
be made of it. You will see by the late papers that
G. B. has made war on our commerce, by intercepting
uncontraband articles bound to unblockaded ports,
and taking them to herself at her own price. This
must bring on a crisis with us, unless the order be
revoked on our demand, of which there is not the
least probability. I understand that the malignant
fever in Philada. is raging still with great violence;
and all the inhabitants who can, are flying from it
in every direction. The mortality at first was in
the ratio of 3 out of 4. It had been reduced to 1
out of 3. Mr. J. is in raptures with the performance
of our friend in C-l-n-e. He means to have it
appear about two weeks before the meeting of C—s.
This will not coincide with the plan of the Author,
who wished its publication to be in time for the
meeting of the State Legislature. Think of this &
let me know your ideas. On my return home I
found a letter from Mr. Jones wch I inclose, as the
shortest way of making you acquainted with what
he wishes. With all due respect to Mrs. Monroe,