uniformity of time or matter among them. Fasting and
prayer are religious exercises; the enjoining them an act of discipline.
Every religious society has a right to determine for itself the times
for these exercises, and the objects proper for them, according to their
own particular tenets; and this right can never be safer than in their
own hands, where the constitution has deposited it.

I am aware that the practice of my predecessors may be quoted. But I
have ever believed, that the example of State executives led to the
assumption of that authority by the General Government, without due
examination, which would have discovered that what might be a right in a
State government, was a violation of that right when assumed by another.
Be this as it may, every one must act according to the dictates of his
own reason, and mine tells me that civil powers alone have been given
to the President of the United States, and no authority to direct the
religious exercises of his constituents.

I again express my satisfaction that you have been so good as to give
me an opportunity of explaining myself in a private letter, in which
I could give my reasons more in detail than might have been done in a
public answer: and I pray you to accept the assurances of my high esteem
and respect.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER LXIV.--TO COLONEL MONROE, February 18, 1808

TO COLONEL MONROE.

Washington, February 18, 1808.

My Dear Sir,

You informed me that the instruments you had been so kind as to bring
for me from England, would arrive at Richmond with your baggage, and you
wished to know what was to be done with them there. I will ask the
favor of you to deliver them to Mr. Jefferson, who will forward them
to Monticello in the way I shall advise him. And I must intreat you
to send me either a note of their amount, or the bills, that I may be
enabled to reimburse you. There can be no pecuniary matter between
us, against which this can be any set-off. But if, contrary to my
recollection or knowledge, there were any thing, I pray that that may
be left to be settled by itself. If I could have known the amount
beforehand, I should have remitted it, and asked the advance only
under the idea that it should be the same as ready money to you on your
arrival. I must again, therefore, beseech you to let me know its amount.

I see with infinite grief a contest arising between yourself and
another, who have been very dear to each other, and eq