It would
be strange, indeed, if, at our years, we were to go an age back to hunt
up imaginary or forgotten facts, to disturb the repose of affections so
sweetening to the evening of our lives. Be assured, my dear Sir, that I
am incapable of receiving the slightest impression from the effort now
made to plant thorns on the pillow of age, worth, and wisdom, and to
sow tares between friends who have been such for near half a century.
Beseeching you, then, not to suffer your mind to be disquieted by this
wicked attempt to poison its peace, and praying you to throw it by among
the things which have never happened, I add sincere assurances of my
unabated and constant attachment, friendship, and respect.
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CLXXVI.--TO THE PRESIDENT, October 24,1823
TO THE PRESIDENT.
Monticello, October 24,1823.
Dear Sir,
The question presented by the letters you have sent me, is the most
momentous which has ever been offered to my contemplation since that of
Independence. That made us a nation, this sets our compass, and points
the course which we are to steer through the ocean of time opening on
us. And never could we embark on it under circumstances more auspicious.
Our first and fundamental maxim should be, never to entangle ourselves
in the broils of Europe. Our second, never to suffer Europe to
intermeddle with cis-Atlantic affairs. America, North and South, has a
set of interests distinct from those of Europe, and peculiarly her own.
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