Congress are hurrying through the remnant of business before them, and will probably adjourn about saturday next. Petitions in favor of the Treaty still come in from distant places. The name of the President & the alarm of war, have had a greater effect, than were apprehended on one side, or expected on the other. A crisis which ought to have been so managed as to fortify the Republican cause, has left it in a very crippled condition; from which its recovery will be the more difficult as the elections in N. Y. Massachussets & other States, where the prospects were favorable, have taken a wrong turn under the impressions of the moment.1 Nothing but auspicious contingences abroad or at home, can regain the lost ground. Peace in Europe would have a most salutary influence, and accts. just recd. from France revive in some degree the hope of it with the Emperor, which will hasten of course a peace with England. On the other hand, a scene rather gloomy is presented by a letter I have just recd. from Col. M. It is dated Feby. 27.2 The following extracts form the substance of it.

“About a fortnight past I was informed by the minister of foreign affairs that the government had at length resolved how to act with us in respect to our treaty with England that they considered it as having violated or rather annulled our treaty of alliance with them and taken part with the coalised powers that they had rather have an open enemy than a perfidious friend—that it was resolved to send an envoy extra. to the United States to discuss this business with us and whose powers would expire with the execution of the trust. I was astonished with the communication and alarmed with its probable consequences. I told him it might probably lead to war and thereby seperate us which was what our enemies wished—that it hazarded much and without a probable gain that from the moment a person of that character arrived their friends would seem to act under his banner and which circumstance would injure their character and lessen their efforts. In truth I did everything in my power to prevent this measure and in which I am now told by the minister that I have succeeded the Directoire having resolved to continue the ordinary course of representation only. But thro’ this I hear strong sentiments will be conveyed. The whole of this is made known to the executive by me.”

“The forced loan was less productive than was expected, and the embarrassment in the finance extreme. Some think another movement at hand but I see no evidence of it at present. In all calculations on this subject it ought to be recollected that the executive are sound and having the government in their hands are strong.”

“There are strong symptoms of an actual rupture between us and this country. The minister the government preferred to have us as open3 rather than perfidious friends. Other proofs occur to shew that this sentiment has gone deep into their councils.”

The “Minerva” of N. Y. lately announced, with an affected emphasis, a letter4 from Paris to N. Y. intimating that influencial persons in the U. S. were urging measures on France, which might force this Country to chuse war agst. England, as the only alternative for war agst. France. It is probable that categorical steps on the part of F. towards us are anticipated as the consequence of what has been effected by the British party here, and that much artifice will be practised by it to charge them in some unpopular form, on its Republican opponents.

Before I leave this I shall make up a parcel of pamphlets &c. for you to be forwarded to Richmond. The inclosed number of the Debates5 is a continuation which has been regular, I hope the preceding numbers have all arrived safe.