ignorance & bigotry, like other insanities, are incapable of self-government.

you will have learnt that an act for internal improvement, after passing both houses, was negatived by the President. the act was founded avowedly on the principle that the phrase in the constitution which authorises Congress ‘to lay taxes to pay the debts and provide for the general welfare’ was...

I have much confidence that we shall proceed successfully for ages to come; and that .. it will be seen that the larger the extent of country, the more firm it’s republican structure, if founded, not on conquest, but in principles of compact & equality. my hope of it’s duration is built much...

Be assured My much valued and dear friend that your letter was most welcome to my heart, for I had almost despaird of ever having the pleasure to recieve another letter from you I shou’d not have been cerimonious and concluded to give you once more some proof of my remembrance, had not I felt...

I have this day drawn on you for seven hundred dollars payable to Benjn Perkins or order as a part of a draught which I hold drawn on you by Alexander Garrett for $1200 payable on the first of August 1817. as the first payment for a parcel of negroes which I bought in payments of f one fourth...

We are return’d from the natural bridge more anxious to see it again than we were at first, because in the first place it far surpass’d our expectations, & in the second we saw it under many disadvantages, which will be...

P. S. I have just copied the your manuscript on meteorological subjects, in which you have condensed a vast variety of most instructive & amusing information. It is astonishing how you could find time, in the midst of your other engagements to make such a prodigious number of observations. I...

Johnny’s arrival gave us great pleasure as we began to be very anxious to hear from you, and I thank you very much for having spared time to write such a long letter. the head of Christ is really a great curiosity, Grand-papa is almost as much pleased with it as we are, and considers it...

I have lately recieved a pamphlet of extreme interest from France. it is De Pradt’s historical recital of the first return of Louis XVIII to Paris. it is precious for the minutiae of the proceedings which it details, and for their authenticity, as from an eye witness. being but a pamphlet, I...

My sincere thanks are due to my much valued friend for her kind attention to my Grand Sons and the interest she takes in their welfare. They arrived here the 19th of last month, after a Passage to Baltimore of 21 days on board the Marmion Capt Davis a very worthy man, who commanded the Ship that...

You may imagine what a fit of dispair I was thrown into when I arriv’d here & found you had gone to the Springs & I was left behind, but as there was no remedy for it I thought it was the wisest plan to recover again particularly as I am promis’d a trip there next year & one to...

I cannot express the pleasure your letter from Birdwood gave us, to know that you were under the roof with your Grandmother, and in the house of such an amiable pair as Mr Gilmer, and his wife; I am happy to find that the change of climate has already had so good an affect on your health as it is...