that a treaty of alliance, offensive and defensive with Great Britain, has arrived.  Some circumstances have occasioned it to be listened to; to wit, the arrival of Mr. King’s secretary, which is affirmed, the departure of Mr. Liston’s secretary, which I know is to take place on Wednesday next, the high tone of the executive measures at the last, and present session, calculated to raise things to the unison of such a compact, and supported so desperately in both Houses in opposition to the pacific wishes of the people, and at the risk of their approbation at the ensuing election.  Langdon yesterday, in debate, mentioned this current report.  Tracy, in reply, declared he knew of no such thing, did not believe it, nor would be its advocate.

An attempt has been made to get the Quakers to come forward with a petition, to aid with the weight of their body the feeble band of peace.  They have, with some effort, got a petition signed by a few of their society; the main body of their society refuse it.  M’Lay’s peace motion in the Assembly of Pennsylvania was rejected with an unanimity of the Quaker vote, and it seems to be well understood, that their attachment to England is stronger than to their principles or their country.  The revolution war was a first proof of this.  Mr. White, from the federal city, is here, soliciting money for the buildings at Washington.  A bill for two hundred thousand dollars has passed the House of Representatives, and is before the Senate, where its fate is entirely uncertain.  He has become perfectly satisfied that Mr. Adams is radically against the government’s being there.  Goodhue (his oracle) openly said in committee, in presence of White, that he knew the government was obliged to go there, but they would not be obliged to stay there.  Mr. Adams said to White, that it would be better that the President should rent a common house there, to live in; that no President would live in the one now building.  This harmonizes with Goodhue’s idea of a short residence.  I wrote this in the morning, but need not part with it till night.  If any thing occurs in the day, it shall be added.  Adieu.

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CCXXIX.—­TO JAMES MADISON, April 5, 1798

TO JAMES MADISON.

Philadelphia, April 5, 1798.

Dear Sir,

I wrote you last on the 29th ultimo; since which I have no letter from you.  These acknowledgments regularly made and attended to will show whether any of my letters are intercepted, and the impression of my seal on wax (which shall be constant hereafter) will discover whether they are opened by the way.  The nature of some of my communications furnishes ground of inquietude for their safe conveyance.  The bill for the federal buildings labors hard in Senate, though, to lessen opposition, the Maryland Senator himself proposed to reduce the two hundred thousand dollars to one third of that sum.  Sedgwick