was to make a show of my letter, as something very
criminal, and to carry the subject into the newspapers. I had, on a like
request, some time ago (but before the embargo), from the President of
the Board of Agriculture of London, of which I am also a member, to send
them some of the genuine May wheat of Virginia, forwarded to them two or
three barrels of it. General Washington, in his time, received from the
same Society the seed of the perennial succory, which Arthur Young had
carried over from France to England, and I have since received from a
member of it the seed of the famous turnip of Sweden, now so well known
here. I mention these things, to show the nature of the correspondence
which is carried on between societies instituted for the benevolent
purpose of communicating to all parts of the world whatever useful is
discovered in any one of them. These societies are always in peace,
however their nations may be at war. Like the republic of letters,
they form a great fraternity spreading over the whole earth, and their
correspondence is never interrupted by any civilized nation. Vaccination
has been a late and remarkable instance of the liberal diffusion of a
blessing newly discovered. It is really painful, it is mortifying, to be
obliged to note these things, which are known to every one who knows any
thing, and felt with approbation by every one who has any feeling. But
we have a faction to whose hostile passions the torture even of right
into wrong is a delicious gratification. Their malice I have long
learned to disregard, their censure to deem praise. But I observe,
that some republicans are not satisfied (even while we are receiving
liberally from others) that this small return should be made. They will
think more justly at another day: but, in the mean time, I wish to avoid
offence. My prayer to you, therefore, is, that you will be so good,
under the enclosed order, as to receive these two tierces of seed from
Falls and Brown, and pay them their disbursements for freight, &c. which
I will immediately remit you on knowing the amount. Of the seed, when
received, be so good as to make manure for your garden. When rotted with
a due mixture of stable manure or earth, it is the best in the world.
I rely on your friendship to excuse this trouble, it being necessary I
should not commit myself again to persons of whose honor, or the want of
it, I know nothing.

Accept the assurances of my constant esteem and respect.