party-spirit.  What a game too will the one party have in their hands, by eternally threatening the other, that unless they do so and so, they will join their northern neighbors.  If we reduce our Union to Virginia and North Carolina, immediately the conflict will be established between the representatives of these two States, and they will end by breaking into their simple units.  Seeing, therefore, that an association of men who will not quarrel with one another is a thing which never yet existed, from the greatest confederacy of nations down to a town-meeting or a vestry; seeing that we must have somebody to quarrel with, I had rather keep our New England associates for that purpose, than to see our bickerings transferred to others.  They are circumscribed within such narrow limits, and their population so full, that their numbers will ever be the minority, and they are marked, like the Jews, with such a perversity of character, as to constitute, from that circumstance, the natural division of our parties.  A little patience, and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their spells dissolved, and the people recovering their true sight, restoring their government to its true principles.  It is true, that in the mean time, we are suffering deeply in spirit, and incurring the horrors of a war, and long oppressions of enormous public debt.  But who can say what would be the evils of a scission, and when and where they would end?  Better keep together as we are, haul off from Europe as soon as we can, and from all attachments to any portions of it; and if they show their powers just sufficiently to hoop us together, it will be the happiest situation in which we can exist.  If the game runs sometimes against us at home, we must have patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an opportunity of winning back the principles we have lost For this is a game where principles are the stake.  Better luck, therefore, to us all, and health, happiness, and friendly salutations to yourself.  Adieu.

P. S. It is hardly necessary to caution you to let nothing of mine get before the public; a single sentence got hold of by the Porcupines, will suffice to abuse and persecute me in their papers for months.  T. J.

LETTER CCXXXVII.—­TO GENERAL KOSCIUSKO, June 1, 1798

TO GENERAL KOSCIUSKO.

Philadelphia, June 1, 1798.

Dear Sir,

Mr. Volney’s departure for France gives me an opportunity of writing to you.  I was happy in observing, for many days after your departure, that our winds were favorable for you.  I hope, therefore, you quickly passed the cruising grounds on our coast, and have safely arrived at the term of your journey.  Your departure is not yet known, or even suspected.* Niemsevioz was much affected.  He is now at the federal city.  He desired me to have some things taken care of for you.  There were some kitchen furniture, backgammon table, and chess men, and a pelisse