No man would more cheerfully have
submitted than myself, because I am sure the administration would have
been republican, and the chair of the Senate permitting me to be at home
eight months in the year, would, on that account, have been much more
consonant to my real satisfaction. But in the event of an usurpation, I
was decidedly with those who were determined not to permit it. Because
that precedent, once set, would be artificially reproduced, and end soon
in a dictator. Virginia was bristling up, I believe. I shall know the
particulars from Governor Monroe, whom I expect to meet in a short visit
I must make home, to select some books, &c. necessary here, and make
other domestic arrangements.
Accept assurances of my high esteem and regard.
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CCLXXVI.--TO JOEL BARLOW, March 14, 1801
TO JOEL BARLOW.
Washington, March 14, 1801.
Dear Sir,
Not having my papers here, it is not in my power to acknowledge the
receipt of your letters by their dates, but T am pretty certain I
have received two in the course of the last twelve months, one of them
covering your excellent second letter. Nothing can be sounder than the
principles it inculcates, and I am not without hopes they will make
their way. You have understood that the revolutionary movements in
Europe had, by industry and artifice, been wrought into objects of
terror even to this country, and had really involved a great portion of
our well-meaning citizens in a panic which was perfectly unaccountable,
and during the prevalence of which they were led to support measures
the most insane.
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