Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) to NJ Legislature re: domestic & foreign affairs, gratitude [incomplete]

To the Representatives of the people of New Jersey in their Legislature.
The sentiments, fellow-citizens, which you are pleased to express in your address of the 4th. inst. of attachment & esteem for the General government, & of confidence & approbation of those who direct it's councils, cannot but be pleasing to the friends of union generally, & give a new claim on all those who direct the public affairs for every thing which zeal can effect for the good of their country.
It is indeed to be deplored that, distant as we are from the storms & convulsions which agitate the European world, the pursuit of an honest neutrality, beyond the reach of reproach, has been insufficient to secure [inserted: to] us the certain enjoiment of peace with those whose interests, as well as ours would be promoted by it. What will be the issue of present misunderstandings cannot, as yet be foreseen; but the measures adopted for their settlement have been sincerely directed to maintain the rights, the honor & the peace of our country. Should they fail, the ardour of our citizens to obey the summons of their country, and the offer, which you attest, of their lives and fortunes in it's support, are worthy of their patriotism, and are pledges of our safety.
[2] The Suppression of the late conspiracy by the hand of the people, up-lifted to destroy it wherever it reared it's head, manifests their fitness for self-government, and the power of a nation of which every individual feels that his own will is a part of the public authority.
The effect of the public contributions in reducing the National debt, and liberating our resources from the canker of interest, has been so far salutary, and encourages us to continue the same course; or, if necessarily interrupted, to resume it as soon as practicable.
I percieve with sincere pleasure that my conduct in the chief magistracy has so far met your approbation that my continuance in that office, after it's present term, would be acceptable to you. But that I should lay down my change at a proper period, is as much a duty, as to have borne it faithfully. If some termination to the services of the Chief magistrate be not fixed by the constitution, or supplied by practice, his office, nominally for years, will, in fact, become for life; and history shews how easily that degenerates into an inheritance. Believing that a representative government, responsible at short periods of election is that which produces the greatest sum of happiness to mankind, I feel it a duty to do no act which shall essentially impair that principle; and I should unwillingly be the person who, disregarding the sound precedent set by an illustrious predecessor, should furnish the first example of prolongation beyond the second term of office.
<Truth also obliges me to add, that I am sensible of that decline which advancing years bring on, and feeling their physical, I ought not to doubt their mental effect. Happily if I am the first to perceive and to obey this admonition of nature, and to solicit a retreat from cares too great for the wearied faculties of age.
Declining a re-election on grounds which cannot but be approved, I am sincerely thankful for the approbation which the legislature of New Jersey are pleased to manifest of the principles and measures pursued in the management of their affairs; and should I be so fortunate as to carry into retirement the equal approbation and good will of my fellow citizens generally, it will be a comfort of my future days, and will close a service of forty years with the only reward it ever wished.>