Extract from Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams

I fancy it must be the quantity of animal food eaten by the English which renders their character insusceptible of civilisation. I suspect [. . .] it is in their kitchens & not in their churches that their reformation must be worked, & that Missionaries of that description from hence would avail more than those who should endeavor to tame them by precepts of religion or philosophy.

PrC (DLC). Published in PTJ, 8:547–9.