ut friends we
have, if we have merited them. Those of our earliest years stand nearest
in our affections. But in this too, you and I have been unlucky. Of our
college friends (and they are the dearest) how few have stood with us in
the great political questions which have agitated our country: and these
were of a nature to justify agitation. I did not believe the Lilliputian
fetters of that day strong enough to have bound so many. Will not Mrs.
Page, yourself, and family, think it prudent to seek a healthier region
for the months of August and September? And may we not flatter ourselves
that you will cast your eye on Monticello? We have not many summers
to live. While fortune places us then within striking distance, let us
avail ourselves of it, to meet and talk over the tales of other times.

Present me respectfully to Mrs. Page, and accept yourself my friendly
salutations, and assurances of constant affection.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER, XIV.--TO P. MAZZEI, July 18, 1804

TO P. MAZZEI.

Washington, July 18, 1804.

My Dear Sir,

It is very long, I know, since I wrote you. So constant is the pressure
of business that there is never a moment, scarcely, that something
of public importance is not waiting for me. I have, therefore, on a
principle of conscience, thought it my duty to withdraw almost entirely
from all private correspondence, and chiefly the trans-Atlantic;
I scarcely write a letter a year to any friend beyond sea. Another
consideration has led to this, which is the liability of my letters to
miscarry, be opened, and made ill use of. Although the great body of our
country are perfectly returned to their ancient principles, yet there
remains a phalanx of old tories and monarchists, more envenomed, as all
their hopes become more desperate. Every word of mine which they can get
hold of, however innocent, however orthodox even, is twisted, tormented,
perverted, and, like the words of holy writ, are made to mean every
thing but what they were intended to mean. I trust little, therefore,
unnecessarily in their way, and especially on political subjects. I
shall not, therefore, be free to answer all the several articles of your
letters.

On the subject of treaties, our system is to have none with any nation,
as far as can be avoided. The treaty with England has therefore, not
been renewed, and all overtures for treaty with other nations have been
declined. We believe, that with nations as with individua