these details, that you might know
every thing which had passed between us, might be fully possessed of
the state of facts and dispositions, and judge for yourself whether they
admit a revival of that friendly intercourse for which you are so kindly
solicitous. I shall certainly not be wanting in any thing on my part
which may second your efforts; which will be the easier with me,
inasmuch as I do not entertain a sentiment of Mr. Adams, the expression
of which could give him reasonable offence. And I submit the whole to
yourself, with the assurance, that whatever be the issue, my friendship
and respect for yourself will remain unaltered and unalterable.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER XCV.--TO M. DESTUTT TRACY, January 26, 1811

TO M. DESTUTT TRACY.

Monticello, January 26, 1811.

Sir,

The length of time your favor of June the 12th, 1809, was on its way
to me, and my absence from home the greater part of the autumn, delayed
very much the pleasure which awaited me of reading the packet which
accompanied it. I cannot express to you the satisfaction which I
received from its perusal. I had, with the world, deemed Montesquieu's
a work of much merit; but saw in it, with every thinking man, so much of
paradox, of false principle, and misapplied fact, as to render its value
equivocal on the whole. Williams and others had nibbled only at
its errors. A radical correction of them, therefore, was a great
desideratum. This want is now supplied, and with a depth of thought,
precision; of idea, of language, and of logic, which will force
conviction into every mind. I declare to you, Sir, in the spirit of
truth and sincerity, that I consider it the most precious gift the
present age has received. But what would it have been, had the author,
or would the author, take up the whole scheme of Montesquieu's work, and
following the correct analysis he has here developed, fill up all its
parts according to his sound views of them. Montesquieu's celebrity
would be but a small portion of that which would immortalize the author.
And with whom? With the rational and high-minded spirits of the present
and all future ages. With those whose approbation is both incitement
and reward to virtue and ambition. Is then the hope desperate? To what
object can the occupation of his future life be devoted so usefully to
the world, so splendidly to himself? But I must leave to others who have
higher claims on his attention, to press these considerations