The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 4 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and PrivateJefferson, Thomas
History
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 4 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private
Jefferson, Thomas
United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783; United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1865
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 anything occurs in the day it shall be
added. Adieu.
TO MR. PENDLETON.
PHILADELPHIA, April 2, 1798.
DEAR SIR,--I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of January
29th, and as the rising of Congress seems now to be contemplated for
about the last of this month, and it is necessary that I settle Mr.
Short's matter with the Treasury before my departure, I take the liberty
of saying a word on that subject. The sum you are to pay is to go to
the credit of a demand which Mr. Short has on the treasury of the United
States, and for which they consider Mr. Randolph as liable to them, so
that the sum he pays to Short directly lessens so much the balance to be
otherwise settled. Mr. Short, by a letter received a few days ago, has
directed an immediate employment of the whole sum in a particular way.
I wish your sum settled, therefore, that I may call on the Treasury for
the exact balance. I should have thought your best market for stock would
have been here, and, I am convinced, the quicker sold the better; for,
should the war measures recommended by the Executive, and taken up by the
Legislature, be carried through, the fall of stock will be very sudden,
war being then more than probable. Mr. Short holds some stock here, and,
should the first of Mr. Sprigg's resolutions, now under debate in the
lower house, be rejected, I shall, within 24 hours from the rejection,
sell out the whole of Mr. Short's stock. How that resolution will be
disposed of (to wit, that against the expediency of war with the French
Republic), is very doubtful. Those who count votes vary the issue from a
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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