I have ever viewed
Mr. Madison and yourself as two principal pillars of my happiness.
Were either to be withdrawn, I should consider it as among the greatest
calamities which could assail my future peace of mind. I have great
confidence that the candor and high understanding of both will guard
me against this misfortune, the bare possibility of which has so far
weighed on my mind, that I could not be easy without unburthening it.
Accept my respectful salutations for yourself and Mrs. Monroe, and be
assured of my constant and sincere friendship.
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER LXV.--TO COLONEL MONROE, March 10, 1808
TO COLONEL MONROE.
Washington, March 10, 1808.
Dear Sir,
*****
From your letter of the 27th ultimo, I perceive that painful impressions
have been made on your mind during your late mission, of which I had
never entertained a suspicion. I must, therefore, examine the grounds,
because explanations between reasonable men can never but do good. 1.
You consider the mission of Mr. Pinckney as an associate, to have been
in some way injurious to you. Were I to take that measure on myself,
I might say in its justification, that it has been the regular and
habitual practice of the United States to do this, under every form
in which their government has existed. I need not recapitulate the
multiplied instances, because you will readily recollect them. I went as
an adjunct to Dr.
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