LETTER XI.--TO GIDEON GRANGER, April 16, 1804


TO GIDEON GRANGER.

Monticello, April 16, 1804.

Dear Sir,

*****

In our last conversation you mentioned a federal scheme afloat, of
forming a coalition between the federalists and republicans, of what
they called the seven eastern States. The idea was new to me, and after
time for reflection, I had no opportunity of conversing with you again.
The federalists know that, _eo nomine_, they are gone for ever. Their
object, therefore, is, how to return into power under some other form.
Undoubtedly they have but one means, which is to divide the republicans,
join the minority, and barter with them for the cloak of their name.
I say, join the minority; because the majority of the republicans, not
needing them, will not buy them. The minority, having no other means of
ruling the majority, will give a price for auxiliaries, and that price
must be principle. It is true that the federalists, needing their
numbers also, must also give a price, and principle is the coin they
must pay in. Thus a bastard system of federo-republicanism will rise on
the ruins of the true principles of our revolution. And when this party
is formed, who will constitute the majority of it, which majority is
then to dictate? Certainly the federalists. Thus their proposition of