This is the British influence to which I am an enemy, and
which we must subject to our government, or it will subject us to that
of Britain.
*****
Come and gratify, by seeing you once more, a friend, who assures you
with sincerity of his constant and affectionate attachment and respect.
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CXXIV.--TO GENERAL DEARBORN, March 17, 1815
TO GENERAL DEARBORN.
Monticello, March 17, 1815.
My Dear General, Friend, and Ancient Colleague,
I have received your favor of February the 27th, with very great
pleasure, and sincerely reciprocate congratulations on the late events.
Peace was indeed desirable; yet it would not have been as welcome
without the successes of New Orleans. These last have established
truths too important not to be valued; that the people of Louisiana are
sincerely attached to the Union; that their city can be defended; that
the western States make its defence their peculiar concern; that the
militia are brave; that their deadly aim countervails the manoeuvring
skill of their enemy; that we have officers of natural genius now
starting forward from the mass; and that, putting together all our
conflicts, we can beat the British, by sea and by land, with equal
numbers. All this being now proved, I am glad of the pacification of
Ghent, and shall still be more so, if, by a reasonable arrangement
against impressment, they will make it truly a treaty of peace, and not
a mere truce, as we must all consider it, until the principle of the
war is settled.
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