The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 5 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and PrivateJefferson, Thomas
History
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 5 (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
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Mr. Clinton, and his thanks for
the pamphlet sent him. He recollects the having read it at the time with
a due sense of his obligation to the author, whose name was surmised,
though not absolutely known, and a conviction that he had made the most
of his matter. The ground of defence might have been solidly aided by
the assurance (which is the absolute fact) that the whole story fathered
on Mazzei, was an unfounded falsehood. Dr. Linn, as aware of that, takes
care to quote it from a dead man, who is made to quote from one residing
in the remotest part of Europe. Equally false was Dr. Linn's other story
about Bishop Madison's lawn sleeves, as the Bishop can testify, for
certainly Th: J. never saw him in lawn sleeves. Had the Doctor ventured to
name time, place, and person, for his third lie, (the government without
religion) it is probable he might have been convicted on that also. But
these are slander and slanderers, whom Th: Jefferson has thought it best
to leave to the scourge of public opinion. He salutes Mr. Clinton with
esteem and respect.
TO GEORGE HAY, ESQ.
WASHINGTON, May 26, 1807.
DEAR SIR,--We are this moment informed by a person who left Richmond since
the 22d, that the prosecution of Burr had begun under very inauspicious
symptoms by the challenging and rejecting two members of the Grand Jury,
as far above all exception as any two persons in the United States. I
suppose our informant is inaccurate in his terms, and has mistaken an
objection by the criminal and voluntary retirement of the gentlemen with
the permission of the court, for a challenge and rejection, which, in the
case of a Grand Jury, is impossible. Be this as it may, and the result
before the formal tribunal, fair or false, it becomes our duty to provide
that full testimony shall be laid before the Legislature, and through
them the public. For this purpose, it is necessary that we be furnished
with the testimony of every person who shall be with you as a witness.
If the Grand Jury find a bill, the evidence given in court, taken as
verbatim as possible, will be what we desire. If there be no bill, and
consequently no examination before court, then I must beseech you to
have every man privately examined by way of affidavit, and to furnish me
with the whole testimony. In the former case, the person taking down the
testimony as orally delivered in court, should make oath that he believes
it to be substantially correct. In the latter case, the certificate of the
magistrate administering the oath, and signature of the party, will be
proper; and this should be done before they receive their compensation,
that they may not evade examination. Go into any expense necessary for
this purpose, and meet it from the funds provided by the Attorney General
for the other expenses. He is not here, or this request would have gone
from him directly. I salute you with friendship and respect.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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