often made a majority, as to produce very serious embarrassment to the
public operations; and very much do I dread the submitting to them, at
the next session, any treaty which can be made with either England or
Spain, when I consider that five joining the federalists, can defeat a
friendly settlement of our affairs. The House of Representatives is as
well disposed as I ever saw one. The defection of so prominent a leader
threw them into dismay and confusion for a moment; but they soon rallied
to their own principles, and let him go off with five or six followers
only. One half of these are from Virginia. His late declaration of
perpetual opposition to this administration, drew off a few others, who
at first had joined him, supposing his opposition occasional only,
and not systematic. The alarm the House has had from this schism, has
produced a rallying together, and a harmony, which carelessness and
security had begun to endanger. On the whole, this little trial of the
firmness of our representatives in their principles, and that of the
people also, which is declaring itself in support of their public
functionaries, has added much to my confidence in the stability of our
government; and to my conviction, that should things go wrong at any
time, the people will set them to rights by the peaceable exercise of
their elective rights. To explain to you the character of this schism,
its objects and combinations, can only be done in conversation; and
must be deferred till I see you at Monticello, where I shall probably
be about the 10th or 12th of May, to pass the rest of the month there.
Congress has agreed to rise on Monday the 21st.

Accept my affectionate salutations.

Th: Jefferson.