[* Here, in the margin of the copy filed, is written by the
author, in pencil, 'Mr, Adams.']
LETTER CCXXV.--TO JAMES MADISON, March 2, 1798
TO JAMES MADISON.
Philadelphia, March 2, 1798.
Dear Sir,
I wrote to you last on the 22nd ultimo; since which I have received
yours without date, but probably of April the 18th or 19th. An arrival
to the eastward brings us some news, which you will see detailed in the
papers. The new partition of Europe is sketched, but how far authentic
we know not. It has some probability in its favor. The French appear
busy in their preparations for the invasion of England; nor is there any
appearance of movements on the part of Russia and Prussia which might
divert them from it.
The late birth-night has certainly sown tares among the exclusive
federalists. It has winnowed the grain from the chaff. The sincerely
Adamites did not go. The Washingtonians went religiously, and took
the secession of the others in high dudgeon. The one sect threatens to
desert the levees, the other the parties. The whigs went in number, to
encourage the idea that the birth-nights hitherto kept had been for the
General and not the President, and of course that time would bring an
end to them. Goodhue, Tracy, Sedgwick, &c. did not attend; but the three
Secretaries and Attorney General did.
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