of what I always observed to you, that one man outweighs them all in
influence over the people, who have supported his judgment against their
own and that of their representatives. Republicanism must lie on its
oars, resign the vessel to its pilot, and themselves to the course he
thinks best for them. I had always conjectured, from such facts as I
could get hold of, that our public debt was increasing about a million
of dollars a year. You will see by Gallatin’s speeches that the thing
is proved. You will see farther, that we are completely saddled and
bridled, and that the bank is so firmly mounted on us that we must
go where they will guide. They openly publish a resolution, that the
national property being increased in value, they must by an increase
of circulating medium furnish an adequate representation of it, and
by further additions of active capital promote the enterprises of our
merchants. It is supposed that the paper in circulation in and around
Philadelphia amounts to twenty millions of dollars, and that in the
whole Union, to one hundred millions. I think the last too high. All
the imported commodities are raised about fifty per cent. by the
depreciation of the money. Tobacco shares the rise, because it has
no competition abroad. Wheat has been extraordinarily high from other
causes. When these cease, it must fall to its ancient nominal price,
notwithstanding the depreciation of that, because it must contend in
market with foreign wheats. Lands have risen within the vortex of the
paper, and as far out as that can influence. They have not risen at all
here. On the contrary, they are lower than they were twenty years ago.
Those I had mentioned to you, to wit, Carter’s and Colle, were sold
before your letter came. Colle at two dollars the acre. Carter’s had
been offered me for two French crowns (13s. 2d.) Mechanics here get from
a dollar to a dollar and a half a day, yet are much worse off than at
the old prices.
Volney is with me at present. He is on his way to the Illinois. Some
late appointments, judiciary and diplomatic, you will have heard,
and stared at. The death of R. Jouett is the only small news in our
neighborhood.
Our best affections attend Mrs. Monroe, Eliza, and yourself. Adieu
affectionately.
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CXCVI.--TO THE PRESIDENT, June 19, 1796
TO THE PRESIDENT.
Monticello, June 19, 1796.
In Bache’s Aurora of the 9th instant, which came here by the last post,
a paper appears, which having been confided, as I presume, to but few
hands, makes it truly wonderful how it should have got there. I cannot
be satisfied as to my own part, till I relieve my mind by declaring, and
I attest every thing sacred and honorable to the declaration, that it
has got there neither through me nor the paper confided to me. This has
never been from under my own lock and key, or out of my own hands.
No mortal ever knew from me, that these questions had been proposed.
Perhaps I ought to except one person, who possesses all my confidence,
as he has possessed yours. I do not remember, indeed, that I
communicated it even to him. But as I was in the habit of unlimited
trust and counsel with him, it is possible I may have read it to him; no
more: for the quire of which it makes a part was never in any hand but
my own, nor was a word ever copied or taken down from it, by any body. I
take on myself, without fear, any divulgation on his part. We both know
him incapable of it. From myself, then, or my paper, this publication
has never been derived. I have formerly mentioned to you, that from a
very early period of my life, I had laid it down as a rule of conduct
never to write a word for the public papers. From this, I have never
departed in a single instance; and on a late occasion, when all the
world seemed to be writing, besides a rigid adherence to my own rule, I
can say with truth, that not a line for the press was ever communicated
to me, by any other, except a single petition referred for my
correction; which I did not correct, however, though the contrary, as
I have heard, was said in a public place, by one person through error,
through malice by another. I learn that this last has thought it worth
his while to try to sow tares between you and me, by representing me as
still engaged in the bustle of politics, and in turbulence and intrigue
against the government. I never believed for a moment that this could
make any impression on you, or that your knowledge of me would not
overweigh the slander of an intriguer, dirtily employed in sifting the
conversations of my table, where alone he could hear of me; and seeking
to atone for his sins against you by sins against another, who had
never done him any other injury than that of declining his confidences.
Political conversations I really dislike, and therefore avoid where
I can without affectation. But when urged by others, I have never
conceived that having been in public life requires me to belie my
sentiments, or even to conceal them. When I am led by conversation to
express them, I do it with the same independence here, which I have
practised every where, and which is inseparable from my nature. But
enough of this miserable tergiversator, who ought indeed either to have
been of more truth, or less trusted by his country.*
[* Here, in the margin of the copy, is written, apparently
at a later date, * General H. Lee.’]
While on the subject of papers, permit me to ask one from you. You
remember the difference of opinion between Hamilton and Knox on the one
part, and myself on the other, on the subject of firing on the Little
Sarah, and that we had exchanged opinions and reasons in writing. On
your arrival in Philadelphia I delivered you a copy of my reasons, in
the presence of Colonel Hamilton. On our withdrawing, he told me he had
been so much engaged that he had not been able to prepare a copy of his
and General Knox’s for you, and that if I would send you the one he had
given me, he would replace it in a few days. I immediately sent it to
you, wishing you should see both sides of the subject together. I often
after applied to both the gentlemen, but could never obtain another
copy. I have often thought of asking this one, or a copy of it, back
from you, but have not before written on subjects of this kind to you.
Though I do not know that it will ever be of the least importance to me,
yet one loves to possess arms, though they hope never to have occasion
for them. They possess my paper in my own hand-writing. It is just I
should possess theirs. The only thing amiss is, that they should have
left me to seek a return of the paper, or a copy of it, from you.
I put away this disgusting dish of old fragments, and talk to you of my
pease and clover. As to the latter article, I have great encouragement
from the friendly nature of our soil. I think I have had, both the last
and present year, as good clover from common grounds, which had brought
several crops of wheat and corn without ever having been manured, as I
ever saw on the lots around Philadelphia. I verily believe that a field
of thirty-four acres, sowed on wheat April was twelvemonth, has given me
a ton to the acre at its first cutting this spring. The stalks extended,
measured three and a half feet long very commonly. Another field, a year
older, and which yielded as well the last year, has sensibly fallen off
this year. My exhausted fields bring a clover not high enough for
hay, but I hope to make seed from it. Such as these, however, I shall
hereafter put into pease in the broadcast, proposing that one of my
sowings of wheat shall be after two years of clover, and the other after
two years of pease. I am trying the white boiling pea of Europe (the
Albany pea) this year, till I can get the hog-pea of England, which is
the most productive of all. But the true winter-vetch is what we want
extremely. I have tried this year the Caroline drill. It is absolutely
perfect. Nothing can be more simple, nor perform its office more
perfectly for a single row. I shall try to make one to sow four rows at
a time of wheat or peas, at twelve inches distance. I have one of the
Scotch threshing-machines nearly finished. It is copied exactly from
a model of Mr. Pinckney sent me, only that I have put the whole works
(except the horse-wheel) into a single frame, moveable from one field
to another on the two axles of a wagon. It will be ready in time for the
harvest which is coming on, which will give it a full trial. Our
wheat and rye are generally fine, and the prices talked of bid fair to
indemnify us for the poor crops of the two last years.
I take the liberty of putting under your cover a letter to the son of
the Marquis de la Fayette, not exactly knowing where to direct to him.
With very affectionate compliments to Mrs. Washington, I have the honor
to be, with great and sincere esteem and respect, Dear Sir, your most
obedient and most humble servant,
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CXCVII.--TO M. DE LA FAYETTE, June 19, 1796
TO M. DE LA FAYETTE.
Monticello, June 19, 1796.
Dear Sir,
The inquiries of Congress were the first intimation which reached my
retirement of your being in this country, and from M. Volney, now
with me, I first learned where you are. I avail myself of the earliest
moments of this information, to express to you the satisfaction with
which I learn that you are in the land of safety, where you will meet in
every person the friend of your worthy father and family. Among these I
beg leave to mingle my own assurances of sincere attachment to him, and
my desire to prove it by every service I can render you. I know, indeed,
that you are already under too good a patronage to need any other, and
that my distance and retirement render my affections unavailing to you.
They exist, nevertheless, in all their purity and warmth towards your
father and every one embraced by his love; and no one has wished with
more anxiety to see him once more in the bosom of a nation, who, knowing
his works and his worth, desire to make him and his family for ever
their own. You were, perhaps, too young to remember me personally when
in Paris. But I pray you to remember, that should any occasion offer
wherein I can be useful to you, there is no one on whose friendship and
zeal you may more confidently count. You will, some day perhaps, take a
tour through these States. Should any thing in this part of them attract
your curiosity, it would be a circumstance of great gratification to me
to receive you here, and to assure you in person of those sentiments of
esteem, and attachment with which I am, Dear Sir, your friend and humble
servant,
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CXCVIII.--TO JONATHAN WILLIAMS, July 3,1796
TO JONATHAN WILLIAMS.
Monticello, July 3,1796.
Dear Sir,
I take shame to myself for having so long left unanswered your valuable
favor on the subject of the mountains. But in truth, I am become lazy as
to every thing except agriculture. The preparations for harvest, and
the length of the harvest itself, which is not yet finished, would have
excused the delay however, at all times and under all dispositions. I
examined, with great satisfaction, your barometrical estimate of the
heights of our mountains; and with the more, as they corroborated
conjectures on this subject which I had made before. My estimates
had made them a little higher than yours (I speak of the Blue Ridge.)
Measuring with a very nice instrument the angle subtended vertically
by the highest mountain of the Blue Ridge opposite to my own house,
a distance of about eighteen miles south westward, I made the highest
about two thousand feet, as well as I remember, for I can no longer find
the notes I made. You make the south side of the mountain near Rockfish
Gap, one thousand seven hundred and twenty-two feet above Woods. You
make the other side of the mountain seven hundred and sixty-seven feet.
Mr. Thomas Lewis, deceased, an accurate man, with a good quadrant, made
the north side of the highest mountain opposite my house something more
(I think) than one thousand feet; but the mountain estimated by him and
myself is probably higher than that next Rockfish Gap. I do not remember
from what principles I estimated the Peaks of Otter at four thousand
feet; but some late observations of Judge Tucker’s coincided very nearly
with my estimate. Your measures confirm another opinion of mine that
the Blue Ridge, on its south side, is the highest ridge in our country
compared with its base. I think your observations on these mountains
well worthy of being published, and hope you will not scruple to let
them be communicated to the world.
You wish me to present to the Philosophical Society the result of my
philosophical researches since my retirement. But, my good Sir, I have
made researches into nothing but what is connected with agriculture.
In this way, I have a little matter to communicate, and will do it ere
long. It is the form of a mould-board of least resistance. I had some
years ago conceived the principles of it, and I explained them to Mr.
Rittenhouse. I have since reduced the thing to practice, and have reason
to believe the theory fully confirmed. I only wish for one of those
instruments used in England for measuring the force exerted in the
draughts of different ploughs, &c, that I might compare the resistance
of my mould-board with that, of others. But these instruments are not
to be had here. In a letter of this date to Mr. Rittenhouse, I mention
a discovery in animal history very signal indeed, of which I shall
lay before the Society the best account I can, as soon as I shall have
received some other materials collecting for me.
I have seen, with extreme indignation, the blasphemies lately vended
against the memory of the father of American philosophy. But his memory
will be preserved and venerated as long as the thunder of heaven shall
be heard or feared.
With good wishes to all of his family, and sentiments of great respect
and esteem for yourself, I am, Dear Sir, your most obedient and most
humble servant,
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CXCIX.--TO COLONEL MONROE, July 10, 1796
TO COLONEL MONROE.
Monticello, July 10, 1796.
Dear Sir,
*****
The campaign of Congress has closed. Though the Anglomen have in the end
got their treaty through, and so far have triumphed over the cause of
republicanism, yet it has been to them a dear-bought victory. It has
given the most radical shock to their party which it has ever received:
and, there is no doubt, they would be glad to be replaced on the ground
they possessed the instant before Jay’s nomination extraordinary. They
see that nothing can support them but the colossus of the President’s
merits with the people, and the moment he retires, that his successor,
if a monocrat, will be overborne by the republican sense of his
constituents; if a republican, he will of course give fair play to that
sense, and lead things into the channel of harmony between the governors
and governed. In the mean time, patience.
Among your neighbors there is nothing new. Mr. Rittenhouse is lately
dead. We have had the finest harvest ever known in this part of the
country. Both the quantity and quality of wheat are extraordinary. We
got fifteen shillings a bushel for the last crop, and hope two thirds of
that at least for the present one.
Most assiduous court is paid to Patrick Henry. He has been offered every
thing which they knew he would not accept. Some impression is thought to
be made, but we do not believe it is radical. If they thought they could
count upon him, they would run him for their Vice-President; their first
object being to produce a schism in the State. As it is, they will run
Mr. Pinckney; in which they regard his southern position rather than
his principles. Mr. Jay and his advocate Camillus are completely
treaty-foundered.
We all join in love to Mrs. Monroe; and accept for yourself assurances
of sincere and affectionate friendship. Adieu.
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CC.--TO JAMES MADISON
THOMAS JEFFERSON TO JAMES MADISON.
Monticello, December 17, 1796.
Your favor of the 5th came to hand last night. The first wish of my
heart was, that you should have been proposed for the administration
of the government. On your declining it, I wish any body rather than
myself: and there is nothing I so anxiously hope, as that my name may
come out either second or third. These would be indifferent to me;
as the last would leave me at home the whole year, and the other, two
thirds of it. I have no expectation that the eastern States will suffer
themselves to be so much outwitted, as to be made the tools for bringing
in P. instead of A. I presume they will throw away their second vote.
In this case, it begins to appear possible, that there may be an equal
division where I had supposed the republican vote would have been
considerably minor. It seems also possible, that the Representatives
may be divided. This is a difficulty from which the constitution has
provided no issue. It is both my duty and inclination, therefore, to
relieve the embarrassment, should it happen: and in that case, I pray
you and authorize you fully, to solicit on my behalf that Mr. Adams may
be preferred. He has always been my senior, from the commencement of
our public life, and the expression of the public will being equal, this
circumstance ought to give him the preference. And when so many motives
will be operating to induce some of the members to change their vote,
the addition of my wish may have some effect to preponderate the scale.
I am really anxious to see the speech. It must exhibit a very different
picture of our foreign affairs from that presented in the adieu, or it
will little correspond with my views of them. I think they never wore
so gloomy an aspect since the year 1783. Let those come to the helm who
think they can steer clear of the difficulties. I have no confidence in
myself for the undertaking.
We have had the severest weather ever known in November. The thermometer
was at twelve degrees here and in Goochland, and I suppose generally.
It arrested my buildings very suddenly, when eight days more would
have completed my walls, and permitted us to cover in. The drought is
excessive. From the middle of October to the middle of December, not
rain enough to lay the dust. A few days ago there fell a small rain, but
the succeeding cold has probably prevented it from sprouting the grain
sown during the drought.
Present me in friendly terms to Messrs. Giles, Venable, and Page. Adieu
affectionately.
LETTER CCI.--TO EDWARD RUTLEDGE, December 27, 1796
TO EDWARD RUTLEDGE.
Monticello, December 27, 1796.
Mr Dear Sir,
*****
You have seen my name lately tacked to so much of eulogy and of abuse,
that I dare say you hardly thought it meant your old acquaintance of
‘76. In truth, I did not know myself under the pens either of my friends
or foes. It is unfortunate for our peace that unmerited abuse wounds,
while unmerited praise has not the power to heal. These are hard wages
for the services of all the active and healthy years of one’s life. I
had retired after five and twenty years of constant occupation in public
affairs, and total abandonment of my own. I retired much poorer than
when I entered the public service, and desired nothing but rest and
oblivion. My name, however, was again brought forward, without concert
or expectation on my part; (on my salvation I declare it.) I do not as
yet know the result, as a matter of fact; for in my retired canton we
have nothing later from Philadelphia than of the second week of this
month. Yet I have never one moment doubted the result I knew it was
impossible Mr. Adams should lose a vote north of the Delaware, and that
the free and moral agency of the south would furnish him an abundant
supplement. On principles of public respect I should not have refused;
but I protest before my God that I shall, from the bottom of my heart,
rejoice at escaping. I know well that no man will ever bring out of that
office the reputation which carries him into it. The honey-moon would be
as short in that case as in any other, and its moments of extacy would
be ransomed by years of torment and hatred. I shall highly value indeed,
the share which I may have had in the late vote, as an evidence of the
share I hold in the esteem of my countrymen. But in this point of view,
a few votes more or less will be little sensible, and in every other,
the minor will be preferred by me to the major vote. I have no ambition
to govern men; no passion which would lead me to delight to ride in a
storm. _Flumina amo sylvasque, inglorius_. My attachment to my home has
enabled me to make the calculation with rigor, perhaps with partiality,
to the issue which keeps me there. The newspapers will permit me to
plant my corn, pease, &c. in hills or drills as I please (and my
oranges by the bye when you send them), while our eastern friend will
be struggling with the storm which is gathering over us; perhaps be
shipwrecked in it. This is certainly not a moment to covet the helm.
I have often doubted whether most to praise or to blame your line of
conduct. If you had lent to your country the excellent talents you
possess, on you would have fallen those torrents of abuse which have
lately been poured forth on me. So far, I praise the wisdom which has
descried and steered clear of a waterspout ahead. But now for the
blame. There is a debt of service due from every man to his country,
proportioned to the bounties which nature and fortune have measured to
him. Counters will pay this from the poor of spirit; but from you, my
friend, coin was due. There is no bankrupt-law in heaven, by which you
may get off with shillings in the pound; with rendering to a single
State what you owed to the whole confederacy. I think it was by the
Roman law that a father was denied sepulture, unless his son would pay
his debts. Happy for you and us, that you have a son whom genius and
education have qualified to pay yours. But as you have been a good
father in every thing else, be so in this also. Come forward and
pay your own debts. Your friends, the Mr. Pinckneys, have at length
undertaken their tour. My joy at this would be complete if you were in
gear with them. I love to see honest and honorable men at the helm, men
who will not bend their politics to their purses, nor pursue measures by
which they may profit, and then profit by their measures. _Au diable les
Bougres!_ I am at the end of my curse and bottom of my page, so God bless
you and yours. _Adieu_ affectionately.
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CCII.--TO JOHN ADAMS, December 28,1796
Monticello, December 28,1796.
_Statement, from memory, of a Letter I wrote to John Adams; copy omitted
to be retained_.
Dear Sir,
The public, and the public papers, have been much occupied lately in
placing us in a point of opposition to each other. I confidently trust
we have felt less of it ourselves. In the retired canton where I
live, we know little of what is passing. Our last information from
Philadelphia is of the 16th instant. At that date, the issue of the
late election seems not to have been known as a matter of fact. With me,
however, its issue was never doubted. I knew the impossibility of your
losing a single vote north of the Delaware; and even if you should lose
that of Pennsylvania in the mass, you would get enough south of it to
make your election sure. I never for a single moment expected any other
issue, and though I shall not be believed, yet it is not the less true,
that I never wished any other. My neighbors, as my compurgators, could
aver this fact, as seeing my occupations and my attachment to them. It
is possible, indeed, that even you may be cheated of your succession
by a trick worthy the subtlety of your arch friend of New York, who has
been able to make of your real friends tools for defeating their and
your just wishes. Probably, however, he will be disappointed as to
you; and my inclinations put me out of his reach. I leave to others the
sublime delights of riding in the storm, better pleased with sound sleep
and a warmer birth below it, encircled with the society of my neighbors,
friends, and fellow-laborers of the earth, rather than with spies and
sycophants. Still, I shall value highly the share I may have had in
the late vote, as a measure of the share I hold in the esteem of my
fellow-citizens. In this point of view, a few votes less are but little
sensible, while a few more would have been in their effect very sensible
and oppressive to me. I have no ambition to govern men. It is a painful
and thankless office. And never since the day you signed the treaty of
Paris, has our horizon been so overcast. I devoutly wish you may be able
to shun for us this war, which will destroy our agriculture, commerce,
and credit. If you do, the glory will be all your own. And that your
administration may be filled with glory and happiness to yourself, and
advantage to us, is the sincere prayer of one, who, though in the course
of our voyage, various little incidents have happened or been contrived
to separate us, yet retains for you the solid esteem of the times when
we were working for our independence, and sentiments of sincere respect
and attachment.
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CCIII.--to James Madison, January 1, 1797
Monticello, January 1, 1797.
_Statement, from memory, of a Letter I wrote to James Madison; copy
omitted to be retained_.
Dear Sir,