eatest
cause of evil to us, because they in fact place us as if we had no
federal head, by diverting the attention of that head from great to
small objects; and should this division of power not be recommended by
the convention, it is my opinion, Congress should make it, itself, by
establishing an executive committee.

*****

I have the honor to be, with sincere esteem and respect, Dear Sir, your
most obedient, humble servant,

Th: Jefferson,

LETTER LXXVIII.--TO DR. CURRIE, August 4, 1787

TO DR. CURRIE.

Paris, August 4, 1787.

Dear Sir,

I am favored with your letter of May the 2nd, and most cordially
sympathize in your late immense losses. It is a situation in which a man
needs the aid of all his wisdom and philosophy. But as it is better
to turn from the contemplation of our misfortunes, to the resources
we possess for extricating ourselves, you will, of course, have found
solace in your vigor of mind, health of body, talents, habits of
business, in the consideration that you have time yet to retrieve every
thing, and a knowledge that the very activity necessary for this, is a
state of greater happiness than the unoccupied one, to which you had a
thought of retiring. I wish the bulk of my extravagant countrymen had as
good prospects and resources as you. But with many of them, a feebleness
of mind makes them afraid to probe the true state of their affairs, and
procrastinate the reformation which alone can save something, to those
who may yet be saved. How happy a people were we during the war, from
the single circumstance that we could not run in debt! This counteracted
all the inconveniences we felt, as the present facility of ruining
ourselves overweighs all the blessings of peace. I know no condition
happier than that of a Virginia farmer might be, conducting himself as
he did during the war. His estate supplies a good table, clothes itself
and his family with their ordinary apparel, furnishes a small surplus to
buy salt, sugar, coffee, and a little finery for his wife and daughters,
enables him to receive and to visit his friends, and furnishes him
pleasing and healthy occupation. To secure all this, he needs but one
act of self-denial, to put off buying any thing till he has the money to
pay for it. Mr. Ammonett did not come. He wrote to me, however, and I am
making inquiry for the town and family he indicated. As yet, neither
can be heard of, and were they to be found, the length of time wo