We were surprised, the last week, with a symptom of a disposition to repeal the stamp act.  Petitions for that purpose had come from Rhode Island and Virginia, and had been committed to rest with the Ways and Means.  Mr. Harper, the chairman, in order to enter on the law for amending it, observed it would be necessary first to put the petitions for repeal out of the way, and moved an immediate decision on this.  The Rhode-Islanders begged and prayed for a postponement; that not knowing that this was the next question to be called up, they were not at all prepared:  but Harper would show no mercy; not a moment’s delay would be allowed.  It was taken up, and, on question without debate, determined in favor of the petitions by a majority of ten.  Astonished and confounded, when an order to bring in a bill for revisal was named, they began in turn to beg for time; two weeks, one week, three days, one day; not a moment would be yielded.  They made three attempts for adjournment.  But the majority appeared to grow.  It was decided, by a majority of sixteen, that the bill should be brought in.  It was brought in the next day, and on the day after passed and was sent up to the Senate, who instantly sent it back rejected by a vote of fifteen to twelve.  Rhode Island and New Hampshire voted for the repeal in Senate.  The act will therefore go into operation July the 1st, but probably without amendments.  However, I am persuaded it will be shortlived.  It has already excited great commotion in Vermont, and grumblings in Connecticut.  But they are so priest-ridden, that nothing is to be expected from them, but the most bigoted passive obedience.

No news yet from our commissioners; but their silence is admitted to augur peace.  There is no talk yet of the time of adjourning, though it is admitted we have nothing to do, but what could be done in a fortnight or three weeks.  When the spring opens, and we hear from our commissioners, we shall probably draw pretty rapidly to a conclusion.  A friend of mine here wishes to get a copy of Mazzei’s ’Recherches Historiques et Politiques.’  Where are they?

Salutations and adieu.

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CCXXVI.—­TO JAMES MADISON, March 15, 1798

TO JAMES MADISON.

Philadelphia, March 15, 1798.

Dear Sir,

I wrote you last on the 2nd instant.  Yours of the 4th is now at hand.  The public papers will give you the news of Europe.  The French decree making the vessel friendly or enemy, according to the hands by which the cargo was manufactured, has produced a great sensation among the merchants here.  Its operation is not yet perhaps well understood; but probably it will put our shipping out of competition, because British bottoms, which can come under convoy, will alone be trusted with return cargoes.  Ours, losing this benefit, would need a higher freight out, in which, therefore, they will be underbid by the