Thomas Jefferson Papers
You searched for: “Federalist party; electoral defeats”
sorted by: date (ascending)
Permanent link for this document:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/03-12-02-0502

Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 9 April 1818

To Albert Gallatin

Monticello Apr. 9. 18.

Dear Sir

I avail myself as usual of the protection of your cover for my letters. that to Cathalan need only be put into the post office; but for that for Appleton I must ask the favor of you to adopt the safest course which circumstances offer.   You will have seen by the newspapers that there is a decided ascendancy of the republican party in nearly all the states. Connecticut decidedly so: it is thought the elections of this month in Massachusets will at length arrange that recreant state on the republican side. Maryland is doubtful, and Delaware only decidedly Anglican: for the term federalist is nearly laid aside, and the distinction begins to be in name, what it always was in fact, that is to say Anglican and American. there are some turbid appearances in Congress. a quondam colleague of yours, who had acquired some distinction and favor in the public eye, is throwing it away by endeavoring to obtain his end by rallying an opposition to the administration. this error has already ruined some among us, and will ruin others who do not percieve that it is the steady abuse of power in other governments which renders that of opposition always the popular party. I imagine you recieve the newspapers, and these will give you everything which I know; so I will only add the assurances of my constant affection & respect.

Th: Jefferson

RC (NHi: Gallatin Papers); addressed: “Son Excellence M. Gallatin Min. Plenipo. des E.U. d’Amerique à Paris.” PoC (DLC); on verso of reused address cover of James Rawlings to TJ, 21 Mar. 1818; torn at seal, with one word rewritten by TJ; endorsed by TJ. Recorded in SJL, with entry keyed by an asterisk to the following notation: “1st by Vaughan. May 4. 2tes Deptmt of State May 12.” Enclosures: (1) TJ to Thomas Appleton, 4 Apr. 1818, and enclosure. (2) TJ to Stephen Cathalan, 5 Apr. 1818. (3) TJ to de Bure Frères, 5 Apr. 1818, and enclosure. (4) TJ to Victor Adolphus Sasserno, 5 Apr. 1818. (5) TJ to Reuben G. Beasley, 8 Apr. 1818. Enclosed in TJ to Daniel Brent, [ca. 12 May 1818].

Gallatin’s quondam colleague as an American treaty commissioner with Great Britain was Henry Clay, a highly vocal critic of President James Monroe’s policies during the current session of Congress (Harry Ammon, James Monroe: The Quest for National Identity [1971], 388–90, 392–4).

Index Entries

  • Appleton, Thomas; consul at Leghorn search
  • Cathalan, Stephen (Étienne) (1757–1819); as consul at Marseille search
  • Clay, Henry; as U.S. representative from Ky. search
  • Congress, U.S.; critics of administration in search
  • Connecticut; Republicans in search
  • Delaware; Federalists in search
  • Federalist party; electoral defeats search
  • Federalist party; in Del. search
  • Federalist party; in Md. search
  • Federalist party; TJ on search
  • Gallatin, Albert; and S. Cathalan search
  • Gallatin, Albert; and U.S. politics search
  • Gallatin, Albert; conveys letters and parcels search
  • Gallatin, Albert; letters to search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Opinions on; Federalist party search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Opinions on; political opposition search
  • Maryland; Federalists in search
  • Massachusetts; elections in search
  • politics; elections search
  • Republican party; electoral successes of search
  • Republican party; of Conn. search