whether it will not, on a fit occasion, be
proper for legislative attention. Affectionate salutations.

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LETTER XLVI.--TO GEORGE HAY, June 5, 1807

TO GEORGE HAY.

Washington, June 5, 1807.

Dear Sir,

Your favor of the 31st instant has been received, and I think it will be
fortunate if any circumstance should produce a discharge of the present
scanty grand jury, and a future summons of a fuller: though the same
views of protecting the offender may again reduce the number to sixteen,
in order to lessen the chance of getting twelve to concur. It is
understood, that wherever Burr met with subjects who did not choose to
embark in his projects, unless approved by their government, he asserted
that he had that approbation. Most of them took his word for it, but
it is said that with those who would not, the following stratagem was
practised. A forged letter, purporting to be from General Dearborn,
was made to express his approbation, and to say that I was absent
at Monticello, but that there was no doubt that, on my return, my
approbation of his enterprises would be given. This letter was spread
open on his table, so as to invite the eye of whoever entered his room;
and he contrived occasions of sending up into his room, those whom he
wished to become witnesses of his acting under sanction. By this means,
he avoided committing himself to any liability to prosecution for
forgery, and gave another proof of being a great man in little things,
while he is really small in great ones. I must add General Dearborn's
declaration, that he never wrote a letter to Burr in his life, except
that when here, once in a winter, he usually wrote him a billet of
invitation to dine. The only object of sending you the enclosed letters
is to possess you of the fact, that you may know how to pursue it,
if any of your witnesses should know any thing of it. My intention in
writing to you several times, has been to convey facts or observations
occurring in the absence of the Attorney General, and not to make to
the dreadful drudgery you are going through the unnecessary addition of
writing me letters in answer, which I beg you to relieve yourself from,
except when some necessity calls for it.

I salute you with friendship and respect.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER XLVII.--TO DOCTOR HORATIO TURPIN, June 10, 1807

TO DOCTOR HORATIO TURPIN.

Washington, June 10, 1807.

Dear Sir,

Your favor of June the 1