Such is
this war of giants. And how can such pigmies as you and I decide
between them? For myself, I confess, that my head is not formed _tantas
componere lites_. And as you began yours of March the 2nd, with a
declaration, that you were about to write me the most frivolous letter I
had ever read, so I will close mine by saying, I have written you a full
match for it, and by adding my affectionate respects to Mrs. Adams, and
the assurance of my constant attachment and consideration for yourself.
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CXXXI.--TO JOHN TAYLOR, May 28,1816
TO JOHN TAYLOR.
Monticello, May 28,1816.
Dear Sir,
On my return from a long journey and considerable absence from home,
I found here the copy of your 'Enquiry into the Principles of our
Government,' which you had been so kind as to send me; and for which I
pray you to accept my thanks. The difficulties of getting new works in
our situation, inland and without a single bookstore, are such as had
prevented my obtaining a copy before; and letters which had accumulated
during my absence, and were calling for answers, have not yet permitted
me to give to the whole a thorough reading: yet certain that you and I
could not think differently on the fundamentals of rightful government,
I was impatient, and availed myself of the intervals of repose from the
writing-table, to obtain a cursory idea of the body of the work.
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