Not so with you, who have still
many years to be a spectator of these events. That these years may
indeed be many and happy, is the sincere prayer of your affectionate
friend.
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CXLII.--TO ALBERT GALLATIN, June 16, 1817
TO ALBERT GALLATIN.
Monticello, June 16, 1817.
Dear Sir,
The importance that the enclosed letters should safely reach their
destination, impels me to avail myself of the protection of your cover.
This is an inconvenience to which your situation exposes you, while it
adds to the opportunities of exercising yourself in works of charity.
According to the opinion I hazarded to you a little before your
departure, we have had almost an entire change in the body of Congress.
The unpopularity of the compensation law was completed, by the manner of
repealing it as to all the world except themselves. In some States, it
is said, every member is changed; in all, many. What opposition there
was to the original law, was chiefly from southern members. Yet many of
those have been left out, because they received the advanced wages. I
have never known so unanimous a sentiment of disapprobation; and what
is remarkable, is, that it was spontaneous. The newspapers were almost
entirely silent, and the people not only unled by their leaders, but in
opposition to them. I confess I was highly pleased with this proof
of the innate good sense, the vigilance, and the determination of the
people to act for themselves.
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