ux, of December the 7th, tobacco was then from twenty-five to
twenty-seven dollars per hundred. Yet did Marshall maintain on the
non-intercourse bill, that its price at other markets had never been
affected by that law. While the navigating and provision States, who are
the majority, can keep open all the markets, or at least sufficient
ones for their objects, the cries of the tobacco-makers, who are the
minority, and not at all in favor, will hardly be listened to. It is
truly the fable of the monkey pulling the nuts out of the fire with the
cat's paw; and it shows that G. Mason's proposition in the convention
was wise, that on laws regulating commerce, two thirds of the votes
should be requisite to pass them. However, it would have been trampled
under foot by a triumphant majority.

March 8. My letter has lain by me till now, waiting Mr. Trist's
departure. The question has been decided to-day on Livingston's
motion respecting Robbins; thirty-five for it, about sixty against it.
Livingston, Nicholas, and Gallatin distinguished themselves on one side,
and J. Marshall greatly on the other. Still it is believed they will not
push Bayard's motion of approbation. We have this day also decided in:
Senate on the motion for overhauling the editor of the Aurora. It was
carried, as usual, by about two to one; H. Marshall voting of course
with them, as did, and frequently does ------: of ------ , who is
perfectly at market. It happens that the other party are so strong, that
they do not think either him or ------ worth buying. As the conveyance
is confidential, I can say something on a subject which, to those who do
not know my real dispositions respecting it, might seem indelicate. The
federalists begin to be very seriously alarmed about their election next
fall. Their speeches in private, as well as their public and private
demeanor to me, indicate it strongly. This seems to be the prospect.
Keep out Pennsylvania, Jersey, and New York, and the rest of the States
are about equally divided; and in this estimate it is supposed that
North Carolina and Maryland added together are equally divided. Then the
event depends on the three middle States before mentioned. As to them,
Pennsylvania passes no law for an election at the present session.
They confide that the next election gives a decided majority in the two
houses when joined together.

McKean, therefore, intends to call the legislature to meet immediately
after the new electio