, I evaded her repeated invitations. Had these
governments been then apprized of the station we should so soon occupy
among nations, all, I believe, would have met us promptly and with
frankness. These principles would then have been established with all,
and from being the conventional law with us alone, would have slid into
their engagements with one another, and become general. These are
the facts within my recollection. They have not yet got into written
history; but their adoption by our southern brethren will bring them
into observance, and make them, what they should be, a part of the law
of the world and of the reformation of principles for which they will be
indebted to us. I pray you to accept the homage of my friendly and high
consideration.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CXCIII.--TO MR. WEIGHTMAN, June 24, 1826

TO MR. WEIGHTMAN.

Monticello, June 24, 1826.

Respected Sir,

The kind invitation I receive from you, on the part of the citizens of
the city of Washington, to be present with them at their celebration
on the fiftieth anniversary of American Independence, as one of the
surviving signers of an instrument pregnant with our own, and the
fate of the world, is most flattering to myself, and heightened by the
honorable accompaniment proposed for the comfort of such a journey. It
adds sensibly to the sufferings of sickness, to be deprived by it of a
personal participation in the rejoicings of that day. But acquiescence
is a duty, under circumstances not placed among those we are permitted
to control. I should indeed, with peculiar delight, have met and
exchanged there congratulations personally with the small band, the
remnant of that host of worthies, who joined with us on that day, in
the bold and doubtful election we were to make for our country, between
submission or the sword; and to have enjoyed with them the consolatory
fact, that our fellow-citizens, after half a century of experience and
prosperity, continue to approve the choice we made. May it be to the
world, what I believe it will be (to some parts sooner, to others later,
but finally to all), the signal of arousing men to burst the chains
under which monkish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them
to bind themselves, and to assume the blessings and security of
self-government. That form which we have substituted, restores the free
right to the unbounded exercise of reason and freedom of opinion. All
eyes are opened, or opening, t