resume that our correspondence has been observed at the post-offices,
and thus has attracted notice. Would you believe, that a printer has had
the effrontery to propose to me the letting him publish it? These people
think they have a right to every thing, however secret or sacred. I had
not before heard of the Boston pamphlet with Priestley's Letters and
mine.

At length Bonaparte has got on the right side of a question. From the
time of his entering the legislative hall to his retreat to Elba, no man
has execrated him more than myself. I will not except even the members
of the Essex Junto; although for very different reasons; I, because he
was warring against the liberty of his own country, and independence
of others; they, because he was the enemy of England, the Pope, and the
Inquisition. But at length, and as far as we can judge, he seems to have
become the choice of his nation. At least, he is defending the cause
of his nation, and that of all mankind, the rights of every people to
independence and self-government. He and the allies have now changed
sides. They are parcelling out among themselves Poland, Belgium, Saxony,
Italy, dictating a ruler and government to France, and looking askance
at our republic, the splendid libel on their governments, and he is
fighting for the principles of national independence, of which his whole
life hitherto has been a continued violation. He has promised a free
government to his own country, and to respect the rights of others; and
although his former conduct inspires little confidence in his promises,
yet we had better take the chance of his word for doing right, than the
certainty of the wrong which his adversaries are doing and avowing. If
they succeed, ours is only the boon of the Cyclops to Ulysses, of being
the last devoured.

Present me affectionately and respectfully to Mrs. Adams, and Heaven
give you both as much more of life as you wish, and bless it with health
and happiness.

Th: Jefferson.

P. S. August the 11th. I had finished my letter yesterday, and this
morning receive the news of Bonaparte's second abdication. Very
well. For him personally, I have no feeling but reprobation. The
representatives of the nation have deposed him. They have taken the
allies at their word, that they had no object in the war but his
removal. The nation is now free to give itself a good government, either
with or without a Bourbon; and France unsubdued, will still be a bridle
on th