But no such statute existing, he must have referred to the
common law in the sense of a _lex non scripta_. Whenever, then, the term
common law is used in either of these senses, and it is never employed
in any other, it is readily known in which of them by the context and
subject matter under consideration; which, in the present case, leave no
room for doubt. I do not remember the occasion which led me to take up
this subject, while a practitioner of the law. But I know I went into
it with all the research which a very copious law library enabled me to
indulge; and I fear not for the accuracy of any of my quotations.
The doctrine might be disproved by many other and different topics of
reasoning; but having satisfied myself of the origin of the forgery, and
found how, like a rolling snow-ball, it had gathered volume, I leave
its further pursuit to those who need further proof, and perhaps I have
already gone further than the feeble doubt you expressed might require,
I salute you with great esteem and respect.
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CLXXXIV.--TO JOSEPH C. CABELL, January 11, 1825
TO JOSEPH C. CABELL.
Monticello, January 11, 1825.
Dear Sir,
We are dreadfully nonplussed here by the non-arrival of our three
Professors. We apprehend that the idea of our opening on the 1st of
February prevails so much abroad (although we have always mentioned
it doubtfully), as that the students will assemble on that day without
awaiting the further notice which was promised.
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