Your value is too justly estimated
by our fellow-citizens at large, as well as their functionaries, to
admit any remissness in their support of you. My opinion always was,
that none of us ever occupied stronger ground in the esteem of Congress
than yourself, and I am satisfied there is no one who does not feel
your aid to be still as important for the future, as it has been for the
past. You have nothing, therefore, to apprehend in the dispositions of
Congress, and still less of the President, who, above all men, is the
most interested and affectionately disposed to support you. I hope,
then, you will abandon entirely the idea you expressed to me, and that
you will consider the eight years to come as essential to your political
career. I should certainly consider any earlier day of your retirement,
as the most inauspicious day our new government has ever seen. In
addition to the common interest in this question, I feel particularly
for myself the considerations of gratitude which I personally owe you
for your valuable aid during my administration of the public affairs,
a just sense of the large portion of the public approbation which was
earned by your labors, and belongs to you, and the sincere friendship
and attachment which grew out of our joint exertions to promote the
common good; and of which I pray you now to accept the most cordial and
respectful assurances.
Th: Jefferson.
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