It would
have been to me a circumstance of great relief, had I found a moderate
participation of office in the hands of the majority. I would gladly
have left to time and accident to raise them to their just share. But
their total exclusion calls for prompter corrections. I shall correct
the procedure: but that done, return with joy to that state of things,
when the only questions concerning a candidate shall be, Is he honest?
Is he capable? Is he faithful to the constitution?
I tender you the homage of my high respect.
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CCLXXXIX.--TO LEVI LINCOLN, August 26, 1801
TO LEVI LINCOLN.
Monticello, August 26, 1801.
Dear Sir,
Your favor of July the 28th was received here on the 20th instant. The
superscription of my letter of July the 11th, by another hand, was to
prevent danger to it from the curious. Your statement respecting
the Berceau coincided with my own recollection, in the circumstances
recollected by me, and I concur with you in supposing it may not now
be necessary to give any explanations on the subject in the papers. The
purchase was made by our predecessors, and the repairs begun by them.
Had she been to continue ours, we were authorized to put and keep her in
good order out of the fund of the naval contingencies, and when in good
order, we obeyed a law of the land, the treaty, in giving her up.
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