ment of my life, in
which I should not have relinquished for it the enjoyments of my family,
my farm, my friends, and books.

You expected to discover the difference of our party principles in
General Washington's Valedictory, and my Inaugural Address. Not at all.
General Washington did not harbor one principle of federalism. He was
neither an Angloman, a monarchist, nor a separatist. He sincerely wished
the people to have as much self-government as they were competent to
exercise themselves. The only point in which he and I ever differed
in opinion, was, that I had more confidence than he had in the natural
integrity and discretion of the people, and in the safety and extent to
which they might trust themselves with a control over their government.
He has asseverated to me a thousand times his determination that the
existing government should have a fair trial, and that in support of
it he would spend the last drop of his blood. He did this the more
repeatedly, because he knew General Hamilton's political bias, and
my apprehensions from it. It is a mere calumny, therefore, in the
monarchists, to associate General Washington with their principles.
But that may have happened in this case which has been often seen in
ordinary cases, that, by often repeating an untruth, men come to
believe it themselves. It is a mere artifice in this party, to bolster
themselves up on the revered name of that first of our worthies. If
I have dwelt longer on this subject than was necessary, it proves the
estimation in which I hold your ultimate opinions, and my desire of
placing the subject truly before them. In so doing, I am certain I risk
no use of the communication which may draw me into contention before the
public. Tranquillity is the _summum bonum_ of a _Septagenaire_.

To return to the merits of your work; I consider it as so lively a
picture of the real state of our country, that if I can possibly obtain
opportunities of conveyance, I propose to send a copy to a friend in
France, and another to one in Italy, who, I know, will translate
and circulate it as an antidote to the misrepresentations of former
travellers. But whatever effect my profession of political faith may
have on your general opinion, a part of my object will be obtained, if
it satisfies you as to the principles of my own action, and of the high
respect and consideration with which I tender you my salutations.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CVII.--TO MADAME LA BAR