consult their constituents on the
great crisis of American affairs now existing.' Besides gaining time
enough by this, to allow the descent on England to have its effect here
as well as there, it will be a means of exciting the whole body of the
people from the state of inattention in which they are; it will require
every member to call for the sense of his district by petition or
instruction; it will show the people with which side of the House their
safety as well as their rights rest, by showing them which is for
war and which for peace; and their representatives will return here
invigorated by the avowed support of the American people. I do not
know, however, whether this will be approved, as there has been little
consultation on the subject. We see a new instance of the inefficiency
of constitutional guards.

We had relied with great security on that provision, which requires two
thirds of the legislature to declare war. But this is completely eluded
by a majority's taking such measures as will be sure to produce war.
I wrote you in my last, that an attempt was to be made on that day in
Senate, to declare the inexpediency of renewing our treaties. But the
measure is put off under the hope of its being attempted under better
auspices. To return to the subject of war, it is quite impossible, when
we consider all the existing circumstances, to find any reason in its
favor resulting from views either of interest or honor, and plausible
enough to impose even on the weakest mind; and especially, when it would
be undertaken by a majority of one or two only. Whatever then be our
stock of charity or liberality, we must resort to other views. And those
so well known to have been entertained at Annapolis, and afterwards at
the grand convention, by a particular set of men, present themselves
as those alone which can account for so extraordinary a degree of
impetuosity. Perhaps, instead of what was then in contemplation,
a separation of the Union, which has been so much the topic to the
eastward of late, may be the thing aimed at. I have written so far,
two days before the departure of the post. Should any thing more occur
to-day or to-morrow, it shall be added. Adieu affectionately.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CCXXVIII.--TO JAMES MADISON, March 29, 1798

TO JAMES MADISON.

Philadelphia, March 29, 1798.

Dear Sir,

I wrote you last on the 21st. Yours of the 12th, therein acknowledged,
is the last received. The mea