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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

TO GEORGE MORGAN 1 - Thomas Jefferson, The Works, vol. 10 (Correspondence and Papers 1803-1807) [1905]

Edition used:

The Works of Thomas Jefferson, Federal Edition (New York and London, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1904-5). Vol. 10.

Part of: The Works of Thomas Jefferson, 12 vols.

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


TO GEORGE MORGAN1

Monticello Sep. 19, ’06.

Sir,

—Your favor of Aug. 29. came to hand on the 15th inst. I thank you for the information, which claims the more attention as it coincides with what has been learned from other quarters. Your situation and the knowledge you already possess would probably put it in your power to trace the footsteps of this enterprise on the public peace with more effect than any other with whom I could communicate. Whatever zeal you might think proper to use in this pursuit, would be used in fulfilment of the duties of a good citizen, and any communications you may be so good as to make to me on the subject shall be thankfully received, and so made use of as not to commit you any further than yourself may think proper to express. A knowledge of the persons who may reject, as well as of those who may accept parricide propositions will be peculiarly useful. Accept my salutations & assurances of esteem & respect.

[1 ]From a copy courteously furnished by Mr. George Plumner Smith, of Philadelphia. On June 26, 1822, Jefferson wrote to Mrs. Katharine Duane Morgan:

I have duly received, dear Madam, your favor of the 10th with the eloquent circular and address to your patriotic and fair companions in good works. I well recollect our acquaintance with yourself personally in Washington, valued for your own merit as well as for that of your esteemed father. Your connection too with the family of the late Colo. Morgan is an additional title to my grateful recollections. He first gave us notice of the mad project of that day, which if suffered to proceed, might have brought afflicting consequences on persons whose subsequent lives have proved their integrity and loyalty to their country. The effort which is the subject of your letter is truly laudable, and, if generally followed as an example, or practised as a duty, will change very advantageously the condition of our fellow citizens, & do just honor to those who shall have taken the lead in it. No one has been more sensible than myself of the advantages of placing the consumer by the side of the producer, nor more disposed to promote it by example. But these are among the matters which I must now leave to them. Time, which wears all things, does not spare the energies either of body or mind of a presque Octogenaire. While I could, I did what I could, and now acquiesce cheerfully in the law of nature which, by unfitting us for action, warns us to retire and leave to the generation of the day the direction of its own affairs. The prayers of an old man are the only contributions left in his power. Mine are offered sincerely for the success of your patriotic efforts, and particularly for your own individual happiness and prosperity. On the same day that Jefferson wrote to George Morgan, he also wrote to John Nicholson:

Monticello Sep. 19, 06.

Sir,

—I thank you for the information contained in your letter of the 6th inst. which merits attention the more as it coincides with information received from other quarters. It is certainly very interesting that we keep our eye on the proceedings of the persons who are the subjects of your letter, and should you be able to obtain any further information respecting them or their measures, besides fulfilling the duties of a patriotic citizen, you will confer an obligation on me, by communications from time to time of what you may learn. They shall be made no further use of than what you shall prescribe. Accept my salutations & assurances of respect.