ion, when I was enabled to
use both for the prevention of war, towards which the torrent of passion
here was directed almost irresistibly, and when not another person in
the United States, less supported by authority and favor, could have
resisted it. And now that a definitive adherence to her impressments and
orders of council renders war no longer avoidable, my earnest prayer is,
that our government may enter into no compact of common cause with the
other belligerent, but keep us free to make a separate peace, whenever
England will separately give us peace, and future security. But Lord
Liverpool is our witness, that this can never be but by her removal from
our neighborhood.

I have thus, for a moment, taken a range into the field of politics,
to possess you with the view we take of things here. But in the scenes
which are to ensue, I am to be but a spectator. I have withdrawn myself
from all political intermeddlings, to indulge the evening of my life
with what have been the passions of every portion of it, books, science,
my farms, my family, and friends.

To these every hour of the day is now devoted. I retain a good activity
of mind, not quite as much of body, but uninterrupted health. Still the
hand of age is upon me. All my old friends are nearly gone. Of those in
my neighborhood, Mr. Divers and Mr. Lindsay alone remain. If you could
make it a _partie quarree_, it would be a comfort indeed. We would
beguile our lingering hours with talking over our youthful exploits, our
hunts on Peter's Mountain, with a long train of _et cetera_ in addition,
and feel, by recollection at least, a momentary flash of youth.
Reviewing the course of a long and sufficiently successful life, I find
in no portion of it happier moments than those were. I think the old
hulk in which you are, is near her wreck, and that like a prudent rat,
you should escape in time. However, here, there, and every where, in
peace or in war, you will have my sincere affections, and prayers for
your life, health, and happiness.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CII.--TO THE PRESIDENT, May 30, 1812

TO THE PRESIDENT.

Monticello, May 30, 1812.

Dear Sir,

Another communication is enclosed, and the letter of the applicant is
the only information I have of his qualifications. I barely remember
such a person as the secretary of Mr. Adams, and messenger to the Senate
while I was of that body. It enlarges the sphere of choice by adding
to it a strong fed