of
Boston, of great erudition, indefatigable industry, and preparation for
a life of distinction, in his own country. He passed a few days with
me here, brought high recommendations from Mr. Adams and others, and
appeared in every respect to merit them. He is well worthy of those
attentions which you so kindly bestow on our countrymen, and for those
he may receive I shall join him in acknowledging personal obligations.

I salute you with assurances of my constant and affectionate friendship
and respect.

Th; Jefferson.

P.S. February 26. My letter had not yet been sealed, when I received
news of our peace. I am glad of it, and especially that we closed our
war with the eclat of the action at New Orleans. But I consider it as an
armistice only, because no security is provided against the impressment
of our seamen. While this is unsettled we are in hostility of mind with
England, although actual deeds of arms may be suspended by a truce. If
she thinks the exercise of this outrage is worth eternal war, eternal
war it must be, or extermination of the one or the other party. The
first act of impressment she commits on an American, will be answered
by reprisal, or by a declaration of war here; and the interval must be
merely a state of preparation for it. In this we have much to do,
in further fortifying our seaport towns, providing military stores,
classing and disciplining our militia, arranging our financial, system,
and above all, pushing our domestic manufactures, which have taken such
root as never again can be shaken. Once more, God bless you. T.J.

LETTER CXXII.*--TO MR. WENDOVER, March 13, 1815

TO MR. WENDOVER.

Monticello, March 13, 1815.

[* This is endorsed;' not sent.']

Sir,

Your favor of January the 30th was received after long delay on the
road, and I have to thank you for the volume of Discourses which you
have been so kind as to send me. I have gone over them with great
satisfaction, and concur with the able preacher in his estimate of
the character of the belligerents in our late war, and lawfulness of
defensive war. I consider the war, with him, as 'made on good advice,'
that is, for just causes, and its dispensation as providential,
inasmuch, as it has exercised our patriotism and submission to order,
has planted and invigorated among us arts of urgent necessity, has
manifested the strong and the weak parts of our republican institutions,
and the excellence of a representativ