strict. Congress have no authority to punish
that wrong. They can only take cognizance of it in vindication of their
member.

LETTER CCXIX.--TO JAMES MADISON, January 3, 1798

TO JAMES MADISON.

Philadelphia, January 3, 1798

Dear Sir,

Your favor of the 25th came to hand yesterday. I shall observe your
direction with respect to the post-day. I have spoken with the Deputy
Postmaster-General on the subject of our Fredericksburg post. He never
knew before that the Fredericksburg printer had taken the contract of
the rider. He will be glad, if either in your neighborhood or ours, some
good person will undertake to ride from April next. The price given this
year is three hundred and thirty dollars, and it will go to the lowest
bidder, who can be depended on. I understand (though not from him) that
Wyatt will be changed; and in general they determine that printers shall
not be postmasters or riders.

Our weather has been, here as with you, cold and dry. The thermometer
has been at eight degrees. The river closed here the first week of
December, which has caught a vast number of vessels destined for
departure. It deadens also the demand for wheat. The price at New York
is one dollar seventy-five cents, and of flour eight dollars fifty cents
to nine dollars; tobacco eleven to twelve dollars; there need be no
doubt of greater prices. The bankruptcies here continue: the prison
is full of the most reputable merchants, and it is understood that the
scene has not yet got to its height. Prices have fallen greatly. The
market is cheaper than it has been for four years. Labor and house-rent
much reduced. Dry goods somewhat. It is expected that they will fall
till they get nearly to old prices. Money scarce beyond all example.

The Representatives have rejected the President's proposition for
enabling him to prorogue them. A law has passed putting off the
stamp-act till July next. The land-tax will not be brought on. The
Secretary of the Treasury says he has money enough. No doubt these two
measures may be taken up more boldly at the next session, when most
of the elections will be over. It is imagined the stamp-act will be
extended or attempted on every possible object. A bill has passed
the Representatives to suspend for three years the law arresting the
currency of foreign coins. The Senate propose an amendment, continuing
the currency of the foreign gold only. Very possibly the bill may be
lost. The object of oppos