h his friends, I have, in
despair, not proposed it to him. If he would accept it, I should name
him instantly with the greatest satisfaction. Perhaps you could inform
me on this point.

With respect to Major Gibbons, I do indeed recollect, that in some
casual conversation, it was said that the most conspicuous accomplices
of Burr were at home at his house; but it made so little impression on
me, that neither the occasion nor the person is now recollected. On this
subject, I have often expressed the principles on which I act, with a
wish they might be understood by the federalists in office. I have never
removed a man merely because he was a federalist: I have never wished
them to give a vote at an election, but according to their own wishes.
But as no government could discharge its duties to the best advantage
of its citizens, if its agents were in a regular course of thwarting
instead of executing all its measures, and were employing the patronage
and influence of their offices against the government and its measures,
I have only requested they would be quiet, and they should be safe: and
if their conscience urges them to take an active and zealous part in
opposition, it ought also to urge them to retire from a post which they
could not conscientiously conduct with fidelity to the trust reposed
in them; and on failure to retire, I have removed them; that is to say,
those who maintained an active and zealous opposition to the government.
Nothing which I have yet heard of Major Gibbons places him in danger
from these principles.

I am much pleased with the ardor displayed by our countrymen on the
late British outrage. It gives us the more confidence of support in the
demand of reparation for the past, and security for the future, that is
to say, an end of impressments. If motives of either justice or interest
should produce this from Great Britain, it will save a war: but if they
are refused, we shall have gained time for getting in our ships and
property, and at least twenty thousand seamen now afloat on the ocean,
and who may man two hundred and fifty privateers. The loss of these
to us would be worth to Great Britain many victories of the Nile
and Trafalgar. The mean time may also be importantly employed in
preparations to enable us to give quick and deep blows.

Present to Mrs. Page, and receive yourself my affectionate and
respectful salutations.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER LIX.--TO WILLIAM DUANE, July 20, 1