this free exercise of reason is all I ask for the vindication of the character of Jesus. we find in the writings of his biographers matter of two distinct descriptions. first a ground work of vulgar ignorance, of things impossible, of superstitions, fanaticisms, & fabrications. intermixed...

The trunk (of Leather) was packed and the letter with it hastily written on the day Correa left us. I had much to do on my farm (4 miles off) on that day, and intended to have set out at day break next morning for Richmond, but was stoped by letters from Richmond informing me there was nothing...

The bill for establishing religious freedom, the principles of which had, to a certain degree, been enacted before, I had drawn in all the latitude of reason & right. it still met with opposition; but, with some mutilations in the preamble, it was finally past; and a singular proposition...

I rejoice that in this blessed country of free enquiry & belief, which has surrendered it’s creed and conscience to neither kings nor priests, the genuine doctrine of one only God is reviving, and I trust that there is not a young man now living in the US. who will not die an Unitarian.

in our village of Charlottesville there is a good degree of religion with a small spice only of fanatacism. we have four sects, but without either church or meeting house. the Court house is the common temple, one Sunday in the month to each. here episcopalian and presbyterian, methodist and...

man, once surrendering his reason, has no remaining guard against absurdities the most monstrous, and like a ship without rudder is the sport of every wind. with such persons gullability which they call faith takes the helm from the hand of reason and the mind becomes a wreck.

I am anxious to see the doctrine of one god commenced in our state. but the population of my neighborhood is too slender, and is too much divided into other sects to maintain any one Preacher well. I must therefore be contented to be an Unitarian by myself, altho I know there are many around me...

Mr Wilson also has had a relapse of his fever, but has so far recovered as to attend a meeting of Presbytery nearly 100 miles distant from F. He has just returned from Synod, where he saw Mr W. Armstrong (he believes) in good health and Spirits. His accounts of the University of Virginia, only...

It is past ten nearly eleven, & the mail closes at half past 12, my dearest mother, & the fear of interruption will make me hurry still more than the shortness of the time in which I must write at least a few lines lest you should be uneasy at not hearing from me. on...

I have yours in answer to mine respecting Mr Sparks’ application: Thank you for your immediate attention to my request: it is creditable to us both. Sparks sails for England in Decr early: his life of Ledyard will be read by every body here; in it there are many things favourable to Mr Jefferson...

It is late in the morning of Tuesday, dearest mother, and I should not attempt to write, as I dislike so much to be hurried in writing to you, but having in my last mentioned Ellen’s illness I thought you might be anxious to hear again. she is very much better, but still pale & thin; I...