Our attentions have been so absorbed by the first manifestation of the sentiments of your House, that we have lost sight of our own legislature; insomuch, that I do not know whether they are sitting or not.  The rejection of Mr. Rutledge by the Senate is a bold thing; because they cannot pretend any objection to him but his disapprobation of the treaty.  It is, of course, a declaration that they will receive none but tories hereafter into any department of the government.  I should not wonder if Monroe were to be recalled, under the idea of his being of the partisans of France, whom the President considers as the partisans of war and confusion, in his letter of July the 31st, and as disposed to excite them to hostile measures, or at least to unfriendly sentiments; a most infatuated blindness to the true character of the sentiments entertained in favor of France.  The bottom of my page warns me that it is time to end my commentaries on the facts you have furnished me.  You would of course, however, wish to know the sensations here on those facts.

My friendly respects to Mr. Madison, to whom the next week’s dose will be directed.  Adieu affectionately.

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CLXXXIX.—­TO JAMES MADISON, March 6, 1796

TO JAMES MADISON.

Monticello, March 6, 1796.

Dear Sir,

I wrote you February the 21st, since which I have received yours of the same day.  Indeed, mine of that date related only to a single article in yours of January the 31st and February the 7th.  I do not at all wonder at the condition in which the finances of the United States are found.  Hamilton’s object from the beginning, was to throw them into forms which should be utterly undecipherable.  I ever said he did not understand their condition himself, nor was able to give a clear view of the excess of our debts beyond our credits, nor whether we were diminishing or increasing the debt.  My own opinion was, that from the commencement of this government to the time I ceased to attend to the subject, we had been increasing our debt about a million of dollars annually.  If Mr. Gallatin would undertake to reduce this chaos to order, present us with a clear view of our finances, and put them into a form as simple as they will admit, he will merit immortal honor.  The accounts of the United States ought to be, and may be, made as simple as those of a common farmer, and capable of being understood by common farmers.

Disapproving, as I do, of the unjustifiable largess to the demands of the Count de Grasse, I will certainly not propose to rivet it by a second example on behalf of M. de Chastellux’s son.  It will only be done in the event of such a repetition of the precedent, as will give every one a right to share in the plunder.  It is, indeed, surprising you have not yet received the British treaty in form.  I presume you would never receive it were not your cooperation on it necessary.  But this will oblige the formal notification of it to you.