But
a part of our nation chose to declare against this, in such a way as to
control the wisdom of the government. I yielded with others, to avoid
a greater evil. But from that moment, I have seen no system which could
keep us entirely aloof from these agents of destruction. If there be
any, I am certain that you, my friends, now charged with the care of us
all, will see and pursue it. I give myself, therefore, no trouble with
thinking or puzzling about it. Being confident in my watchmen, I sleep
soundly. God bless you all, and send you a safe deliverance.
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER XC.--TO GOVERNOR LANGDON, March 5, 1810
TO GOVERNOR LANGDON.
Monticello, March 5, 1810.
Your letter, my dear friend, of the 18th ultimo, comes like the
refreshing dews of the evening on a thirsty soil. It recalls antient as
well as recent recollections, very dear to my heart. For five and thirty
years we have walked together through a land of tribulations. Yet these
have passed away, and so I trust will those of the present day. The
toryism with which we struggled in '77, differed but in name from the
federalism of '99, with which we struggled also; and the Anglicism, of
1808, against which we are now struggling, is but the same thing still,
in another form. It is a longing for a King, and an English King, rather
than any other. This is the true source of their sorrows and wailings.
The fear that Bonaparte will come over to us and conquer us also, is
too chimerical to be genuine.
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