as to commerce, which the merchants will manage the better, the more they are left free to manage for themselves, and our General Government may be reduced to a very simple organization, and a very unexpensive one; a few plain duties to be performed by a few servants.  But I repeat, that this simple and economical mode of government can never be secured, if the New England States continue to support the contrary system.  I rejoice, therefore, in every appearance of their returning to those principles which I had always imagined to be almost innate in them.  In this State, a few persons were deluded by the X. Y. Z. duperies.  You saw the effect of it in our last Congressional representatives, chosen under their influence.  This experiment on their credulity is now seen into, and our next representation will be as republican as it has heretofore been.  On the whole, we hope, that by a part of the Union having held on to the principles of the constitution, time has been given to the States to recover from the temporary phrenzy into which they had been decoyed, to rally round the constitution, and to rescue it from the destruction with which it had been threatened even at their own hands.  I see copied from the American Magazine two numbers of a paper signed Don Quixote, most excellently adapted to introduce the real truth to the minds even of the most prejudiced.

I would, with great pleasure, have written the letter you desired in behalf of your friend, but there are existing circumstances which render a letter from me to that magistrate as improper as it would be unavailing.  I shall be happy, on some more fortunate occasion, to prove to you my desire of serving your wishes.

I some time ago received a letter from a Mr. M’Gregory of Derby, in your State; it is written with such a degree of good sense and appearance of candor, as entitles it to an answer.  Yet the writer being entirely unknown to me, and the stratagems of the times very multifarious, I have thought it best to avail myself of your friendship, and enclose the answer to you.  You will see its nature.  If you find from the character of the person to whom it is addressed, that no improper use would probably be made of it, be so good as to seal and send it.  Otherwise suppress it.

How will the vote of your State and Rhode Island be as to A. and P.?

I am, with great and sincere esteem, Dear Sir, your friend and servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CCLXI.—­TO URIAH M’GREGORY, August 13, 1800

TO URIAH M’GREGORY.

Monticello, August 13, 1800.

Sir,