Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) To: Marquis de Lafayette.
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08063 Author/Creator: Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 June 1792 Pagination: 2 p. Order a Copy
Re: "Exterminating the Monster Aristocracy" of New England Federalists, Constitution, The Voice of the People, French Colonies, and to Compound (House in Secure Facilities) Slaves in St. Dominique (Haiti).
[Draft Created by Crowdsourcing]
Philadelphia June 16, 1792
Behold you then, my dear friend, at the head of a great army, establishing the liberties of your country against a foreign enemy. may heaven favor your cause, and make you the channel thro' which it may pour it's favors. While you are exterminating the monster aristocracy, & pulling out the teeth & fangs of it's associate monarchy, a contrary tendency is discovered in some here, a sect has shewn itself among us, who declare they espoused our new constitution, not as a good & sufficient thing itself, but only as a step to an English constitution, the only thing good & sufficient in itself, in their eye. it is happy for us that these are preachers without followers, and that our people are firm & constant in their republican purity. you will wonder to be told that it is from the Eastward chiefly that these champions for a king, lords & commons come. they get some important associates from New York, and are puffed off by a tribe of Agioteurs which have been hatched in a bed of corruption made up after the model of their beloved England. too many of these stock jobbers & King-jobbers have come into our legislature, or rather too many of our legislature have become stock jobbers & king-jobbers. however the voice of the people is
M. de la Fayette
[2]
is beginning to make itself heard, and will probably cleanse their seats at the ensuing election. the machinations of our old enemies are such as to keep us still at bay with our Indian neighbors. what are you doing for your colonies? They will be lost if not more effectually succoured. indeed [strikeout] no future efforts you can make will ever be able to reduce the blacks. all that can be done in my opinion will be to compound with them as has been done formerly in Jamaica. we have been less zealous in aiding them, lest your government should feel any jealousy on our account. but in truth we as sincerely wish their restoration, and their connection with you, as you do yourselves. we are satisfied that neither your justice nor their distresses will ever again [struck: be] permit[struck: ted] them [or their] being forced to seek at dear & distant markets those first necessities of life which they may have at cheaper markets placed by nature at their door, & formed by her for their support: ____ what is become of Mde. de Tessy and Mde. de Tott? I have not heard of them since they went to Switzerland. I think they would have done better to have come & reposed under the Poplars of Virginia. pour into their bosoms the warmest effusions of my friendship & tell them they will be warm and constant unto death. accept of them also for Mde. de la Fayette & your dear children____ but I am forgetting that you are in the fields of war, & they I hope in those of peace. Adieu my dear friend! god bless you all.
Yours affectionately
Th. Jefferson
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.