It may intimidate the wavering. It may break the western coalition,
by offering the same thing in a different form. It will be viewed with
favor in contrast with the Georgia opposition and fear of strengthening
that. It will be an example of a temperate mode of opposition in future
and similar cases. It will delay the measure a year at least. It will
give us the chance of better times and of intervening accidents; and in
no way place us in a worse than our present situation. I do not dwell on
these topics; your mind will develope them.
The first question is, whether you approve of doing any thing of the
kind. If not, send it back to me, and it shall be suppressed; for I
would not hazard so important a measure against your opinion, nor even
without its support. If you think it may be a canvass on which to put
something good, make what alterations you please, and I will forward it
to Gordon, under the most sacred injunctions that it shall be so used as
that not a shadow of suspicion shall fall on you or myself, that it
has come from either of us. But what you do, do as promptly as your
convenience will admit, lest it should be anticipated by something
worse. Ever and affectionately yours,
Th: Jefferson.
_The solemn Declaration and Protest of the Commonwealth of Virginia, on
the Principles of the Constitution of the United, States of America, and
on the Violations of them_.
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