Extract from Thomas Jefferson to Spencer Roane

each of the three departments has equally the right to decide for itself what is it’s duty under the constitution, without any regard to what the others may have decided for themselves under a similar question.But you intimate a wish that my opinion should be known on this subject. no, dear Sir. I withdraw from all contests of opinion, and resign every thing chearfully to the generation now in place. they are wiser than we were, and their successors will be wiser than them, from the progressive advance of science. tranquility is the summum bonum of age. I wish therefore to offend no man’s opinions, nor to draw disquieting animadversions on my own.

RC (PWacD: Sol Feinstone Collection, on deposit PPAmP); water-stained, with missing text supplied from PoC; at foot of first page: “Judge Roane”. PoC (DLC); several words faint.