the pomp, the turmoil, the bustle & splendour of office, have drawn but deeper sighs for the tranquil & irresponsible occupations of private life.

The interruption of our commerce with England, produced by our embargo & non-intercourse law, & the general indignation excited by her bare-faced attempts to make us accessories & tributories to her usurpations on the high seas, have generated in this country an universal spirit of...

I look with infinite joy to the moment when I shall be ultimately moored in the midst of my affections, and free to follow the pursuits of my choice.

I have received the favor of your letter of aug: 17. and with it the Volume you were so kind as to send me on the literature of negroes. be assured that no person living wishes more sincerely than I do, to see a complete refutation of the doubts I have myself entertained and expressed on the...

I mentioned to Mr Jefferson that the publishing Committee had a letter from him to the Earl of Buchan, sent by him to the Massachusetts Historical Society with a view to its publication–But the Committee thought it most consistent at least with delicacy to ascertain whether the publication would...

Dined at the President’s ... There was as usual a dissertation upon Wines; not very edifying ... Mr Jefferson said that he had always been extremely fond of Agriculture, and knew nothing about it; but the person who united with other Science the greatest agricultural knowledge of any man he knew...

The President was less cheerful in his manners than usual, but told some of his customary staring stories. Among the rest, he said that before he went from Virginia to France, he had some ripe pairs sewed up in tow bags, and that when he returned six years afterwards, he found them in a perfect...

His conversation was vapid—mere common place observations on the weather—crops and sickness of particular districts. From these he went into an elaborate defence of Horseracing—he said it was an effectual means to improve the breed of horses ... He performed the honors of the table with great...

would to god that nation would so far be just in her conduct; as that we might without honor give her that friendship it is so much our interest to bear her.

while we regret the sufferings of individuals employed in agriculture & commerce, the nation at large will derive sensible advantage from the conversion of the situation into which we have thus been forced has impelled us to apply a portion of our industry & capital to internal...