I am sensible
myself, if others are not, that this is my duty. If my distant friends
know it not, those around me can inform them that they should not, in
friendship, wish to call me into conflicts, exposing only the decays
which nature has inscribed among her unalterable laws, and injuring the
common cause by a senile and puny defence.
I will, however, say one word on the subject. The South Carolina
resolutions, Van Buren's motion, and above all Bailey's propositions,
show that other States are coming forward on the subject, and better for
any one to take the lead than Virginia, where opposition is considered
as common-place, and a mere matter of form and habit. We shall see what
our co-States propose, and before the close of the session we may shape
our own course more understandingly.
Accept the assurance of my great esteem and respect.
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CXC.--TO [ANONYMOUS], January 21, 1826
Monticello, January 21, 1826.
Dear Sir,
Your favor of January the 15th is received, and I am entirely
sensible of the kindness of the motives which suggested the caution it
recommended. But I believe what I have done is the only thing I could
have done with honor or conscience. Mr. Giles requested me to state a
fact which he knew himself, and of which he knew me to be possessed.
What use he intended to make of it I knew not, nor had I a right to
inquire, or to indicate any suspicion that he would make an unfair one.
Pages:
692
693
694
695
696
697
698
699
700
701
702
703
704
705
706
707
708
709
710
711
712
713
714
715
716