Jefferson Quotes & Family Letters

Louisville May 31st ’25

Had I not much better reasons for my long silence, I might, my dear Trist, sans reproche, place it to the score of reciprocity. My time, for the last five or six weeks has been very fully at least, if not always very usefully employed. About a month ago, and just at the close of a seven weeks’ term of our Court, your friends, the Livingstons, arrived here on their way to Louisiana. They remained five or six days, which I passed with them most agreeably in the country. Three years have made a considerable change in Miss Cora: she is prettier, much more splendid, but perhaps not quite so interesting as formerly. Mrs L. is toujours [. . .] charmante. Her health and spirits were much better than when I saw her before, and her conversation partook largely of the improvement. The most eloquent eulogium I ever heard from human lips, was hers on Genl Jackson. She commenced the conversation in English, which she speaks, as you know, with uncommon elegance, but as she advanced, apparently hurried away by feeling, she broke forth in French.—Oh God! I wish you, who are an admirer both of eloquence and the Genl had been there to listen. This was my first acquaintance with Mr L. and I was, as every one must delighted with him. He showed me a beautiful letter from Mr Jefferson to him on his new code; so much of it at least as is published. The letter I perceived was written by your hand. I commence reading Mr L’s. book to day.—In the interval of ten days between their departure and Genl La Fayette’s arrival, I was almost wholy occupied in superintending the preparations for the reception of the “Nation’s Guest.” You have seen, of course, in the papers his fortunate escape from the wreck of the boat in which he was coming from Nashville to this place. When I waited on the Genl on board the boat the morning after his arrival, he said laughingly that some of the party were literally ‘des sans-culottes’. They were aroused from their beds a little after midnight and the boat went down in a few minutes. Papers, clothes, every thing was lost. The Genl remained here two days, and I then accompanied him as far as Cincinnati, via Frankfort and Lexington. Nothing could exceed the enthusiasm of the people, where ever he passed. It unfortunately rained almost every day while he was in the State.—The day after I reached home from this excursion I was obliged to set off to one of my Courts, whence I returned only two days ago. So much by way of apology for my tardiness in writing.—For the head-ache of which you complain I can feel the sincerest sympathy. Last Fall and this Spring I was afflicted with it for weeks together. It lost me much time, that I could but little afford to spare. I have found abstemiousness the best, perhaps it is the only, remedy.—I feel the most lively satisfaction at the flattering account you give of the Professors and the prospects of the University, and I am truly obliged to you for the very kind manner in which you have answered my enquiries on this subject. You excourage me to solicit another favor. You are probably not unacquainted with state of political parties in Kentucky, and the points at issue between them. The policy pursued by the government has been of a character, which has rendered the situation of our affairs but too notorious. The Opposition are filled with consternation at the last violent measure of the Legisture overturning the Court of Appeals. This we say was done to punish the Judges of that tribunal for their firm and steady adherance to the Constitution, and to give effect to legislative acts in palpable contravention to the provisions of that instrument.¹ We view that Court as an indispensable and coordinate department of the government; and we think it as clearly established by our Constitution as either of the others. Our written constitutions certainly form the most distinguishing² feature in the American governments—the great pledges of a continuance of our free institutions.³ Indeed they are themselves these institutions. When they are openly disregarded and permanently violated we must cease to boast any preeminance, our governments must become, what all others are, mere governments of force. In the summer of ’22 Mr Jefferson wrote a letter to Wm T. Barry Esqre, containing some remarks on the encroaching spirit of the Judiciary and the dangers to be apprehended from that quarter. His allusion was evidently to the Federal Judiciary. That letter was immediately published; garbled extracts were every where spread abroad, and—shall I be candid with you?—I fear it has been greatly instrumental⁴ in bringing the State to its present unhappy and distracted condition. But for the impression made by it on the minds of the people the leaders of the dominant party never would have dared this last outrage. I do not, I cannot believe that Mr J. approves it; I therefore write to him by this mail, and under circumstances so peculiar, I hope he will not with[hol]d the expression of his opinion. If he will give it and [. . .] with us the question is settled here forever. The strength of the two parties is now nicely balanced. From the best information which can be obtained on such a subject I think out of one hundred members in the lower house, we shall have a majority of three. But this is doubtful, and our elections come on in August. Now should Mr J. be disposed to gratify me, and have any difficulty on the score of writing, may I beg the favor of you to do it for him? I cannot express to you how much I shall be obliged. This appears to me the most momentous question that has been agitated in this country since the adoption of the Federal constitution. At all events my Dear F Trist, write yourself immediately, and believe me ever