Details
JEFFERSON, THOMAS, President. Autograph letter signed ("Th:Jefferson") as former President [to his friend Eppes], Monticello. 21 April 1810. 1 1/2 pages, folio, 243 x 182 mm. ( 9 5/8 x 7 3/16 in.), closely written, tipped along one edge to a larger sheet. Fine condition.
"WE ARE NEUTRALS & HAVE HONESTLY BEEN SO"
The retired President has just returned "from a three weeks visit to Bedford: and as I see by a resolution of Congress that they are to adjourn on the 23rd I shall direct the present to Eppington where it may meet you on your passage to Carolina. Mr. Thwaitt is to let me know when I am to set out for Richmond. He says it will be in May & perhaps earlier. This however you can learn from him. My principal compensation for the journey is the visit to my friends at Eppington from which your absence would be a great deduction: for be assured that no circumstances on earth will ever lessen my affection for you, or my regret that any should exist which may affect the frequency of my meetings with you.
"Your letter gave me the first intimation that an accomodation with England was expected. I rejoice at it, for she is the only nation from which serious injury is to be apprehended. This may put us under the ban of the testy emperor [Napoleon Bonaparte], that spoiled child of fortune, and it is true that if excluded from the continent our trade to England will be of no value, but I would rather suffer in interest than fail in good faith. We are neutrals, & have been honestly so. We have declared we would meet either or both parties in just accomodation, and if either holds off, it is her fault not ours. Altho' connected with England in peace, I hope we shall be so with the other party in principle and that our accomodation will involve no sacrifice of the freedom of the seas. For this however I can safely trust to the present administration [of James Madison], as well as the republican majority in Congress. I salute yourself & Mrs. Eppes, both the older & younger with sincere & affectionate esteem & respect...."
"WE ARE NEUTRALS & HAVE HONESTLY BEEN SO"
The retired President has just returned "from a three weeks visit to Bedford: and as I see by a resolution of Congress that they are to adjourn on the 23rd I shall direct the present to Eppington where it may meet you on your passage to Carolina. Mr. Thwaitt is to let me know when I am to set out for Richmond. He says it will be in May & perhaps earlier. This however you can learn from him. My principal compensation for the journey is the visit to my friends at Eppington from which your absence would be a great deduction: for be assured that no circumstances on earth will ever lessen my affection for you, or my regret that any should exist which may affect the frequency of my meetings with you.
"Your letter gave me the first intimation that an accomodation with England was expected. I rejoice at it, for she is the only nation from which serious injury is to be apprehended. This may put us under the ban of the testy emperor [Napoleon Bonaparte], that spoiled child of fortune, and it is true that if excluded from the continent our trade to England will be of no value, but I would rather suffer in interest than fail in good faith. We are neutrals, & have been honestly so. We have declared we would meet either or both parties in just accomodation, and if either holds off, it is her fault not ours. Altho' connected with England in peace, I hope we shall be so with the other party in principle and that our accomodation will involve no sacrifice of the freedom of the seas. For this however I can safely trust to the present administration [of James Madison], as well as the republican majority in Congress. I salute yourself & Mrs. Eppes, both the older & younger with sincere & affectionate esteem & respect...."