es are necessary) the placing
the privileged classes together in one House, and the unprivileged in
another, would be better for both than a scission? I own I think it
would. People can never agree without some sacrifices; and it appears
but a moderate sacrifice in each party, to meet on this middle ground.
The attempt to bring this about might satisfy your instructions, and a
failure in it would justify your siding with the people, even to those
who think instructions are laws of conduct. Forgive me, my dear friend,
if my anxiety for you makes me talk of things I know nothing about.
You must not consider this as advice. I know you and myself too well
to presume to offer advice. Receive it merely as the expression of my
uneasiness, and the effusion of that sincere friendship, with which I
am, my dear Sir, yours affectionately,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CXCVII.--TO WILLIAM CARMICHAEL, May 8, 1789

TO WILLIAM CARMICHAEL.

Paris, May 8, 1789.

Dear Sir,

Your favor of January the 26th, to March the 27th, is duly received, and
I thank you for the interesting papers it contained. The answer of
Don Ulloa, however, on the subject of the canal through the American
isthmus, was not among them, though mentioned to be so. If you have
omitted it through accident, I shall thank you for it at some future
occasion, as I wish much to understand that subject thoroughly. Our
American information comes down to the 16th of March. There had not yet
been members enough assembled of the new Congress, to open the tickets.
They expected to do it in a day or two. In the mean time, it was said
from all the States, that their vote had been unanimous for General
Washington, and a good majority in favor of Mr. Adams, who is certainly,
therefore, Vice-President. The new government would be supported by very
cordial and very general dispositions in its favor from the people. I
have not yet seen a list of the new Congress. This delay in the meeting
of the new government has delayed the determination on my petition for
leave of absence. However, I expect to receive it every day, and am in
readiness to sail the instant I receive it, so that this is probably
the last letter I shall write you hence, till my return. While there,
I shall avail government of the useful information I have received from
you, and shall not fail to profit of any good occasion which may occur,
to show the difference between your real situation, and what it ought to
b