But great heavens! Who could
have conceived in 1789, that within ten years we should have to combat
such windmills. Adieu. Yours affectionately.
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CCLIV.--TO WILSON C. NICHOLAS, September 5, 1799
TO WILSON C. NICHOLAS.
Monticello, September 5, 1799.
Dear Sir,
Yours of August the 30th came duly to hand. It was with great regret
we gave up the hope of seeing you here, but, could not but consider the
obstacle as legitimate. I had written to Mr. Madison, as I had before
informed you, and had stated to him some general ideas for consideration
and consultation when we should meet. I thought something essentially
necessary to be said, in order to avoid the inference of acquiescence;
that a resolution or declaration should be passed, 1. answering the
reasonings of such of the States as have ventured into the field of
reason, and that of the committee of Congress, taking some notice, too,
of those States who have either not answered at all, or answered
without reasoning. 2. Making firm protestation against the precedent and
principle, and reserving the right to make this palpable violation of
the federal compact the ground of doing in future whatever we might now
rightfully do, should repetitions of these and other violations of
the compact render it expedient.
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