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

TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE (JAMES MADISON.) - 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.

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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 THE SECRETARY OF STATE
(JAMES MADISON.)

j. mss.

Monticello May 5, 07.

I return you the pamphlet of the author of War in Disguise. Of its first half, the topics & the treatment of them are very commonplace; but from page 118 to 130 it is most interesting to all nations, and especially to us. Convinced that a militia of all ages promiscuously are entirely useless for distant service, and that we never shall be safe until we have a selected corps for a year’s distant service at least, the classification of our militia is now the most essential thing the U S have to do. Whether, on Bonaparte’s plan of making a class for every year between certain periods, or that recommended in my message, I do not know, but I rather incline to his. The idea is not new, as you may remember, we adopted it once in Virginia during the revolution, but abandoned it too soon. It is the real secret of Bonaparte’s success. Could S. H. Smith put better matter into his paper than the 12. pages above mentioned, & will you suggest it to him? No effort should be spared to bring the public mind to this great point. I salute you with sincere affection.