Extract from Thomas Jefferson to John Cartwright
| Monticello in Virginia. June 5. 24. |
With respect to our state and federal governments, I do not think their relations correctly understood by foreigners. they generally suppose the former subordinate to the latter. but this is not the case. they are co-ordinate departments of one simple, and integral whole. to the State governments are reserved all legislation and administration in affairs which concern their own citizens only, and to the federal government is given whatever concerns foreigners, or the citizens of other states; these functions alone being made federal. the one is the domestic the other the foreign branch of the same government; neither having controul over the other, but within it’s own department.