But as it is not
usual nor agreeable to governments to bring their conversations before
the public, I think it would be well to consider this on your part as
confidential, leaving to the government to retain or make it public,
as the general good may require. Had the Emperor gone further, and said
that he condemned our vessels going voluntarily into his ports in breach
of his municipal laws, we might have admitted it rigorously legal,
though not friendly. But his condemnation of vessels taken on the high
seas by his privateers, and carried involuntarily into his ports, is
justifiable by no law, is piracy, and this is the wrong we complain of
against him.
Supposing that you may be still at Clermont, from whence your letter is
dated, I avail myself of this circumstance to request your presenting my
friendly respects to Chancellor Livingston.
I salute you with esteem and respect.
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER LXXI.--TO DOCTOR JAMES BROWN, October 27, 1808
TO DOCTOR JAMES BROWN.
Washington, October 27, 1808.
Dear Sir,
You will wonder that your letter of June the 3rd should not be
acknowledged till this date. I never received it till September the
12th, and coming soon after to this place, the accumulation of business
I found here has prevented my taking it up till now. That you ever
participated in any plan for a division of the Union, I never for one
moment believed.
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