we should be obliged always
to keep a large standing army. Congress will adjourn in about three
weeks. I hope Captain McComb is going on well with your defensive works.
We shall be able by mid-summer, to give you a sufficient number of
gun-boats to protect Charleston from any vessels which can cross the
bar; but the militia of the place must be depended on to fill up the
complement of men necessary for action in the moment of an attack, as we
shall man them, in ordinary, but with their navigating crew of eight or
ten good seamen. I salute you with great esteem and respect.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER LXIX.--TO DOCTOR LEIB, June 23, 1808

TO DOCTOR LEIB.

Washington, June 23, 1808.

Sir,

I have duly received your favor covering a copy of the talk to the
Tammany society, for which I thank you, and particularly for the
favorable sentiments expressed towards myself. Certainly, nothing will
so much sweeten the tranquillity and comfort of retirement, as the
knowledge that I carry with me the good will and approbation of my
republican fellow-citizens, and especially of the individuals in unison
with whom I have so long acted. With respect to the federalists, I
believe we think alike; for when speaking of them, we never mean to
include a worthy portion of our fellow-citizens, who consider themselves
as in duty bound to support the constituted authorities of every branch,
and to reserve their opposition to the period of election. These having
acquired the appellation of federalists, while a federal administration
was in place, have not cared about throwing off their name, but,
adhering to their principle, are the supporters of the present order
of things. The other branch of the federalists, those who are so in
principle as well as in name, disapprove of the republican principles
and features of our constitution, and would, I believe, welcome any
public calamity (war with England excepted) which might lessen the
confidence of our country in those principles and forms. I have
generally considered them rather as subjects for a madhouse. But they
are now playing a game of the most mischievous tendency, without perhaps
being themselves aware of it. They are endeavoring to convince England,
that we suffer more by the embargo than they do, and that, if they will
but hold out a while, we must abandon it. It is true, the time will come
when we must abandon it. But if this is before the repeal of the orders
of council, we mu