For these I
gladly lay down the distressing burthen of power, and seek, with my
fellow-citizens, repose and safety under the watchful cares, the labors,
and perplexities of younger and abler minds. The anxieties you express
to administer to my happiness, do, of themselves, confer that happiness;
and the measure will be complete, if my endeavors to fulfil my duties in
the several public stations to which I have been called, have obtained
for me the approbation of my country. The part which I have acted on the
theatre of public life, has been before them; and to their sentence I
submit it: but the testimony of my native county, of the individuals who
have known me in private life, to my conduct in its various duties and
relations, is the more grateful, as proceeding from eye-witnesses and
observers, from triers of the vicinage. Of you, then, my neighbors, I
may ask, in the face of the world, 'Whose ox have I taken, or whom have
I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed, or of whose hand have I received
a bribe to blind mine eyes therewith?' On your verdict I rest with
conscious security. Your wishes for my happiness are received with
just sensibility, and I offer sincere prayers for your own welfare and
prosperity.
Th: Jefferson.
April 3, 1809.
LETTER LXXXI.--TO WILSON C. NICHOLAS, June 13, 1809
TO WILSON C. NICHOLAS.
Monticello, June 13, 1809.
Dear Sir,
I did not know till Mr.
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