Yours of December the 29th, January the 4th, 9th, 12th,
18th, and February the 14th, have therefore remained unacknowledged.
I have at different times enclosed to you such papers as seemed
interesting. To-day I forward Bingham's amendment to the election bill
formerly enclosed to you, Mr. Pinckney's proposed amendment to the
constitution, and the report of the Ways and Means. Bingham's amendment
was lost by the usual majority of two to one. A very different one will
be proposed, containing the true sense of the minority, viz. that
the two Houses, voting by heads, shall decide such questions as the
constitution authorizes to be raised. This may probably be taken up in
the other House under better auspices, for though the federalists have
a great majority there, yet they are of a more moderate temper than for
some time past. The Senate, however, seem determined to yield to nothing
which shall give the other House greater weight in the decision on
elections than they have.
Mr. Pinckney's motion has been supported, and is likely to have some
votes which were not expected. I rather believe he will withdraw it, and
propose the same thing in the form of a bill; it being the opinion of
some that such a regulation is not against the present constitution. In
this form it will stand a better chance to pass, as a majority only
in both Houses will be necessary.
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