To Thomas Jefferson from Gideon Granger, 2 September 1804
From Gideon Granger
Suffield Sept: 2d. 1804.
Dear Sir.
I had the honor to receive yours of the 7th. Ulto. inclosing Mr. Stewards Letter to the Secretary of State. I feel myself unable to go into a detailed Statemt of the business as I cannot resort to the files and documents of the Genl. Post Office. I have therefore directed the Assistant Postmaster Genl. to State the business at large so that you, Sir, will be enabled to judge whether my conduct merits censure or praise and I content myself with simply stating that I beleive it in truth is not a question respecting the mails, but the new line of Stages which the Gentlemen are very desirous should run through Little York; which arangemt would have been equally pleasing to me had it been practicable.
I have just returned from a Journey in which I designed to have visited Providence but was obliged to return on account of the feeble state of my wife. This explains the delay of this Answer. I am now on the point of taking my Seat in the Stage for Providence with refference to the object in your Letter. In a few days I trust I shall be able to write to you Satisfactorily on that Subject.
A few words as to Politics. The Election for members of Congress in New Hampshire is past—The issue unknown. I lately conversed with Nicholas Gilman who is perfectly confident of Our success both in members of Congress and Electors. But I must observe the returns which I have seen appear to me a little alarming. The exertions of the federalists throughout New England are really astonishing.
Our friends in Massachusetts are in the highest Spirits, for once well united and organized, they move in a solid Phalanx. There are at least some hopes of Success in our electoral Ticket—
In Connecticut the Republicans are more severely treated than any where else, and on their part strike bolder Strokes. The Inclosed will inform you of the measure by them resorted to with a view to prostrate the faction.
My former friend Mr: Ellsworth has taken open and active ground. He must abide by the Consequences; a part of which I presume will be unpleasant. He has even descended to be the Instrumt. of party to circulate the Courant under feigned pretences—
Your Sincere friend
Gidn Granger
RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 11 Sep. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: probably a printed copy of an “Address to the People of the State of Connecticut,” read and accepted at a 29 Aug. meeting at New Haven of delegates from 97 towns in the state, chaired by William Judd, calling for the creation of a state constitution; Connecticut still recognizes the charter issued by Charles II as the basis of its government, and the address condemns Federalist leaders for denying the “people” the opportunity of forming a constitution, the creation of which, “without any influence of party,” is regarded as “essential to political safety”; the meeting ordered 10,000 copies of the address printed and distributed (, No. 6151; “Timothy Scrape” to TJ, 2 Sep.).
yours of the 7th. Ulto.: TJ’s letter to Granger of 7 Aug. is recorded in SJL, but has not been found. For John Stewart’s 23 July letter to Madison, see Madison to TJ, 4 Aug., Enclosure No. 11.
directed the Assistant Postmaster Genl.: see Abraham Bradley, Jr., to TJ, 13 Sep.
An article signed “Detector,” printed in the 23 Aug. edition of the American Mercury, condemned Oliver Ellsworth for circulating copies of the Connecticut Courant, an ardently Federalist newspaper, “under the specious, the false pretence of communicating to his neighbors useful agricultural information.”