These thoughts on the subjects of your letter are hazarded at your
request. Repeated instances of the publication of what has not been
intended for the public eye, and the malignity with which political
enemies torture every sentence from me into meanings imagined by their
own wickedness only, justify my expressing a solicitude, that this hasty
communication may in nowise be permitted to find its way into the public
papers. Not fearing these political bull-dogs, I yet avoided putting
myself in the way of being baited by them, and do not wish to volunteer
away that portion of tranquillity, which a firm execution of my duties
will permit me to enjoy.
I tender you my salutations, and best wishes for your success.
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER XLIX.--TO WILLIAM SHORT, June 12, 1807
TO WILLIAM SHORT.
Washington, June 12, 1807.
Dear Sir,
******
The proposition in your letter of May the 16th, of adding an umpire to
our discordant negotiators at Paris, struck me favorably on reading it,
and reflection afterwards strengthened my first impressions. I made it
therefore a subject of consultation with my coadjutors, as is our usage.
For our government, although in theory subject to be directed by the
unadvised will of the President, is, and from its origin has been, a
very different thing in practice. The minor business in each department
is done by the Head of the department, on consultation with the
President alone.
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