If our fellow-citizens, now solidly
republican, will sacrifice favoritism towards men for the preservation
of principle, we may hope that no divisions will again endanger a
degeneracy in our government.
*****
I pray you to accept my salutations, and assurances of great esteem and
respect.
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER LXVII.--TO LEVI LINCOLN, March 23, 1808
TO LEVI LINCOLN.
Washington, March 23, 1808.
Dear Sir,
Your letter on the subject of Mr. Lee came safely to hand. You know
our principles render federalists in office safe, if they do not employ
their influence in opposing the government, but only give their own vote
according to their conscience. And this principle we act on as well with
those put in office by others, as by ourselves.
We have received from your presses a very malevolent and incendiary
denunciation of the administration, bottomed on absolute falsehood from
beginning to end. The author would merit exemplary punishment for so
flagitious a libel, were not the torment of his own abominable temper
punishment sufficient for even as base a crime as this. The termination
of Mr. Rose's mission, _re infecta_, put it in my power to communicate
to Congress yesterday, every thing respecting our relations with England
and France, which will effectually put down Mr. Pickering, and his
worthy coadjutor Quincy. Their tempers are so much alike, and really
their persons, as to induce a supposition that they are related.
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