The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 4 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and PrivateJefferson, Thomas
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The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 4 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private
Jefferson, Thomas
United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783; United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1865
DEAR SIR,--I am much obliged by your friendly letter of the 4th instant.
As soon as I saw the first of Mr. Martin's letters, I turned to the
newspapers of the day, and found Logan's speech, as translated by a common
Indian interpreter. The version I had used, had been made by General
Gibson. Finding from Mr. Martin's style, that his object was not merely
truth, but to gratify party passions, I never read another of his letters.
I determined to do my duty by searching into the truth, and publishing it
to the world, whatever it should be. This I shall do at a proper season.
I am much indebted to many persons, who, without any acquaintance with
me, have voluntarily sent me information on the subject. Party passions
are indeed high. Nobody has more reason to know it than myself. I receive
daily bitter proofs of it from people who never saw me, nor know anything
of me but through Porcupine and Fenno. At this moment all the passions are
boiling over, and one who keeps himself cool and clear of the contagion,
is so far below the point of ordinary conversation, that he finds himself
insulated in every society. However, the fever will not last. War,
land tax and stamp tax, are sedatives which must cool its ardor. They
will bring on reflection, and that, with information, is all which our
countrymen need, to bring themselves and their affairs to rights. They
are essentially republicans. They retain unadulterated the principles of
'75, and those who are conscious of no change in themselves have nothing
to fear in the long run. It is our duty still to endeavor to avoid war;
but if it shall actually take place, no matter by whom brought on, we must
defend ourselves. If our house be on fire, without inquiring whether it
was fired from within or without, we must try to extinguish it. In that,
I have no doubt, we shall act as one man. But if we can ward off actual
war till the crisis of England is over, I shall hope we may escape it
altogether.
I am, with much esteem, dear Sir, your most obedient humble servant.
TO COLONEL MONROE.
PHILADELPHIA, May 21, 1798.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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