tern, and I feel myself as much identified with
that country, in future time, as with this: and did I now foresee a
separation at some future day, yet I should feel the duty and the desire
to promote the western interests as zealously as the eastern, doing all
the good for both portions of our future family which should fall within
my power.

Have you seen the new work of Malthus on Population? It is one of the
ablest I have ever seen. Although his main object is to delineate
the effects of redundancy of population, and to test the poor laws
of England, and other palliations for that evil, several important
questions in political economy, allied to his subject incidentally, are
treated with a masterly hand. It is a single octavo volume, and I have
been only able to read a borrowed copy, the only one I have yet heard
of. Probably our friends in England will think of you, and give you an
opportunity of reading it.

Accept my affectionate salutations, and assurances of great esteem and
respect.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER X.--TO ELBRIDGE GERRY, March 3, 1804

TO ELBRIDGE GERRY.

Washington, March 3, 1804.

Dear Sir,

Although it is long since I received your favor of October the 27th,
yet I have not had leisure sooner to acknowledge it. In the Middle and
Southern States, as great an union of sentiment has now taken place
as is perhaps desirable. For as there will always be an opposition, I
believe it had better be from avowed monarchists than republicans. New
York seems to be in danger of republican division; Vermont is solidly
with us; Rhode Island with us on anomalous grounds; New Hampshire on
the verge of the republican shore; Connecticut advancing towards it very
slowly, but with steady step; your State only uncertain of making port
at all. I had forgotten Delaware, which will be always uncertain
from the divided character of her citizens. If the amendment of the
constitution passes Rhode Island (and we expect to hear in a day or
two), the election for the ensuing four years seems to present nothing
formidable. I sincerely regret that the unbounded calumnies of the
federal party have obliged me to throw myself on the verdict of my
country for trial, my great desire having been to retire at the end
of the present term, to a life of tranquillity; and it was my decided
purpose when I entered into office. They force my continuance. If we
can keep the vessel of State as steadily in her course for another four