I sincerely wish with you, we could see our government so secured as to
depend less on the character of the person in whose hands it is trusted.
Bad men will sometimes get in, and, with such an immense patronage, may
make great progress in corrupting the public mind and principles. This
is a subject with which wisdom and patriotism should be occupied.
I pray you to accept assurances of my high respect and esteem.
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CCLXXXI.--TO WILLIAM B. GILES, March 23, 1801
TO WILLIAM B. GILES.
Washington, March 23, 1801.
Dear Sir,
I received two days ago your favor of the 16th, and thank you for your
kind felicitations on my election: but whether it will be a subject of
felicitation permanently, will be for chapters of future history to
say. The important subjects of the government I meet with some degree
of courage and confidence, because I do believe the talents to be
associated with me, the honest line of conduct we will religiously
pursue at home and abroad, and the confidence of my fellow-citizens
dawning on us, will be equal to these objects.
But there is another branch of duty which I must meet with courage
too, though I cannot without pain; that is, the appointments and
disappointments as to offices. Madison and Gallatin being still absent,
we have not yet decided on our rules of conduct as to these.
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