Extract from Thomas Jefferson to George Washington

all the world is becoming commercial. was it practicable to keep our new empire separated from them we might indulge ourselves in speculating whether commerce contributes to the happiness of mankind. but we cannot separate ourselves from them. our citizens have had too full taste of the comforts furnished by the arts & manufactures to be debared the use of them.

RC (DLC: George Washington Papers). Published in PTJ, 7:26.
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Date
March 15, 1784
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