small resting points, might be racked and injured in their frames"-that he doubted the practicability of proper ventilation-that it was not known to him that any of the European nations had adopted this plan"-that they "had incurred immense expense in building, and it was to be presumed had fallen on the best means of preserving their ships"-that he thought, in works of such magnitude, it was more prudent to follow than to lead older and more experienced nations. General S. Smith answered several of Eustis's objections. He thought the place practicable and suitable, and that there was no more danger of the ships hogging when lowered on their blocks than when on the stocks. On the subject of ventilation he doubted; but he thought it might be accomplished by taking off the garboard streaks of each ship, and streaks from their ceiling at proper intervals. He said:

"He had seen at Venice, above twenty ships-of-war in the arsenal, completely under cover, each lying afloat in its own dock, with stores on each side, in which their materials were deposited. He was told the whole number could be put to sea in twenty or thirty days' notice."

Griswold said: "He must confess that the project appeared to him a visionary scheme, originating in the philosophy of the present day."

The Republicans representing those seaport and other local interests which were averse to making Washington the principal naval station of the country, joined the Federalists in a vote to refuse the Committee leave to sit again, and here the thing dropped.

Eustis's arguments were legitimate ones, and presented fair subjects of doubt, though he did not attempt to disguise a degree of local feeling in the matter. But Griswold threw out the Federal text-word. It was a scheme of the modern "philosophy!"

The speculations on the causes of animal color, in the Notes on Virginia, the "horned toads," and the "salt mountains" of "Philosopher Jefferson" did not furnish topics of such exquisite and inexhaustible merriment to his opponents as the unlucky. dry-docks!

It is probable that the fact that Dr. Mitchell reported the resolution increased the zest of the entertainment.

It was

claimed that this learned man was singularly ignorant in practical affairs, and traditionary anecdotes without number are handed down of amusing pranks played on his credulity by wags who had not the fear of "philosophy" before their eyes. Some of these may possibly be true; but if most of them are, it is a remarkable coincidence that such a host of things should have happened to one man, recorded previously of real or imaginary personages, from the days of the comic poets of Greece down to those of Rabelais, Le Sage, and Joe Miller. But, at all events, Dr. Mitchell has furnished a prime brilliant in the colloquial setting round "Philosopher Jefferson."

The French have a not bad maxim that "he laughs best that laughs latest." To be ignorant is not certainly to be "practical." To be learned is not always to be a fool!

"Leaden Ignorance rears her head and laughs,

And fat Stupidity shakes his jolly sides"

sometimes at "philosophic vagaries" which turn out to be substantive things. The "horned toads" and "salt mountains " still flourish! The essential principle of the dry-dock' has since been introduced with perfect success and preeminent advantage into the American navy.

The seventh Congress terminated on the 3d of March, 1803. The following letter alludes to the loss in future of a distinguished member from that body, and the accession of a new one nearly connected with the family of the President:

MY DEAR MARIA:

TO MARIA JEFFERSON EPPES.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 1803.

Yours by John came safely to hand, and informed me of your ultimate arri val at Edgehill. Mr. Randolph's letter from Gordon's, received the night before, gave me the first certain intelligence I had received since your departure. A rumor had come here of your having been stopped two or three days at Ball Run, and in a miserable hovel; so that I had passed ten days in anxious uncertainty about you. Your apologies, my dear Maria, on the article of expense, are quite without necessity. You did not here indulge yourselves as much as I wished, and nothing prevented my supplying your backwardness but my total ignorance in articles which might suit you. Mr. Eppes's election will, I am in hopes, secure me your

1 That is, fitting vessels into a good state of forwardness for sea, and keeping them high and dry under cover, to protect them from the sun and rain, until they are wanted for public use.

company next winter, and perhaps you may find it convenient to accompany your sister in the spring. Mr. Giles's aid, indeed, in Congress, in support of our Administration, considering his long knowledge of the affairs of the Union, his talents and the high ground on which he stands through the United States, had rendered his continuance here an object of anxious desire to those who compose the Administration; but every information we receive states that prospect to be desperate from his ill health, and will relieve me from the imputation of being willing to lose to the public so strong a supporter, for the personal gratification of having yourself and Mr. Eppes with me. I inclose you Lemaire's receipts. The orthography will be puzzling and amusing; but the receipts are valuable. Present my tender love to -your sister, kisses to the young ones, and my affections to Mr. Randolph and Mr. Eppes, whom I suppose you will see soon. Be assured of my unceasing and anxious love for yourself.

TH. JEFFERSON.

TO MARIA JEFFERSON EPPES, BERMUDA HUNDRed.

MY DEAR MARIA:

WASHINGTON, April 25, 1803.

In a letter from Mr. Eppes, dated at the Hundred April 14th, he informed me that Francis had got well through his measles; but he does not say what your movements are to be. My chief anxiety is that you should be back to Monticello by the end of June. I shall advise Martha to get back from here by the middle of July, because the sickly season really commences here by that time, although the members of the Government venture to remain till the last week of that month. Mr. and Mrs. P. Carr stayed with me five or six days on their way to Baltimore. I think they propose to return in June. Nelly Carr continues in ill health; I believe they expect about the same time to get back to Dunlora. I wrote to Mr. Eppes yesterday. Be assured of my most affectionate and tender love to yourself and kiss Francis for me. My cordial salutations to the family at Eppington when you see them. Adieu.

TH. JEFFERSon.

The following letter will be read with unusual interest, as it contains probably the strongest written expression ever made by Mr. Jefferson to one of his family on the subject of his religious opinions. The circumstances that drew it out are stated in the letter:

MY DEAR MARTHA :

To MARTHA JEFFERSON RANDOLPH.

WASHINGTON, April 25, 1808.

A promise made to a friend some years ago, but executed only lately, has placed my religious creed on paper. I have thought it just that my family, by pos sessing this should be enabled to estimate the libels published against me on this, as on every other possible subject. I have written to Philadelphia for Dr. Priestley's history of the corruptions of Christianity, which I will send you, and recommend to an attentive perusal, because it establishes the groundwork of my view of this subject.

I have not had a line from Monticello or Edgehill since I parted with you. Peter Carr and Mrs. Carr, who stayed with me five or six days, told me Cornelia had got happily through her measles, and that Ellen had not taken them. But what has become of Anne? I thought I had her promise to write once a week, at least the words "all's well." It is now time for you to let me know when you expect to be able to set out for Washington, and whether your own carriage can bring you half way. I think my Chickasaws, if drove moderately, will bring you well that far. Mr. Lilly knows you will want them and can add a fourth. I think that by changing horses half way you will come with more comfort. I have no gentleman to send for your escort. Finding here a beautiful blue Casimir, water proof, and thinking it will be particularly à propos for Mr. Randolph as a travelling coat for his journey, I have taken enough for that purpose, and will send it to Mr. Benson, postmaster at Fredericksburg, to be forwarded by Abrahams, and hope it will be received in time.

Mr. and Mrs. Madison will set out for Orange about the last day of the month. They will stay there but a week. I write to Maria to-day; but supposing her at the Hundred, according to what she told me of her movements, I send my letter there. I wish you to come on as early as possible, because though the members of the Government remain here to the last week in July, yet the sickly season commences in fact by the middle of that month, and it would not be safe for you to keep the children here longer than that, lest any one of them, being taken sick early, might detain the whole here till the season of general danger, and perhaps through it. Kiss the children for me. Present me affectionately to Mr. Randolph, and accept yourself assurances of my constant and tenderest love.

TH. JEFFERSON.

The religious creed here mentioned as having been placed on paper is contained in a letter to which attention will be hereafter called.

CHAPTER II.

1803-1804.

Livingston's Reception in France-His Qualifications as a Minister-Communicates the Refusal of France to sell her new American Possessions-His Assurances to France in Respect to her colonizing them-These Assurances wholly at Variance with the President's Views His Later Dispatches-Receives the President's Letter and Formal Instructions The Discrepancy in the latter explained-The Federalists unconsciously playing into the President's Hands-Effect of their War Proposition in the Session of 1802-3 on Bonaparte Why he preferred a Sacrifice of Louisiana to War with the United States-Why Monroe was sent to act with Livingston-President to Monroe and to M. Dupont-Livingston's Dispatches-England and France preparing for a Renewal of War The Crisis Anticipated by Jefferson reached-Talleyrand Proposes to Sell Louisiana-Marbois intrusted with the Negotiations by Bonaparte-His Official Offer to sell Louisiana-Answer of the American Minister-Treaty of Sale to the United States effected-Conditions of the Treaty and Conventions-Great Britain favors the Arrangement-Her Motives-The American Minister's Dispatches Home-The Secretary of State's Reply-Errors in the Minister's Dispatch corrected-Jefferson's ModestyHis Exclusive Origination of the Policy which led to the Acquisition never publicly avowed-Extent and Value of the Acquisition-Illustrative Statistical ComparisonsOther National Advantages secured besides Territory and Wealth-The Victories of the Gallic Cæsar and of the Republican President compared-Consequences of President's Delicacy towards Livingston-President's Signals to England-His Letters to Sir John Sinclair and the Earl of Buchan-Republican Murmurs in 1803 at the President's Refusal to remove Federalists-His Unalterable Determination expressed to Nicholson-Result of the Spring Elections in 1803-Jefferson to Breckenridge on Further Territorial Acquisitions-The Effect of the Recent one on the Preservation of UnionRefuses to communicate his Birth-day to be made an Anniversary-Letter to Nicholas -Regards a Constitutional Amendment necessary to carry out the Stipulations of the Recent Treaty-Congress convened-Prominent Members-The President's Message -Treaty ratified by the Senate-Resolution in the House to carry it into EffectR. Griswold's Resolution calling for Papers-Determined Opposition to Treaty by Federalists Grounds of the Opposition-G. Griswold's Speech-Republicans take Ground that no Constitutional Amendments are Necessary-Speeches of J. Randolph, Nicholson, Rodney, etc.-Federalists admit Constitutionality of Purchase, but contend the Territories must be governed as Colonies-Motives and Effects of their Propositions-The Final Vote-Question reopened in the Senate on another Bill-Speeches of White, Pinckney, J. Q. Adams, Dayton, and Tracy-The Republican SpeakersEffect of the Federal Opposition- Political Comparisons-Ames and Morris on the State of Affairs-Hamilton Silent-Bankrupt Law Repealed-Barbary Affairs-Death of Samuel Adams and Pendleton-Impeachment of Judge Pickering-Articles of In peachment ordered against Judge Chase-Adjournment.

CHANCELLOR LIVINGSTON, on reaching the Court of France, had found himself coolly received. Jacobinism had gone out of fashion there. But he soon showed that his republicanism was