of giants. And how can such pigmies as you and I decide
between them? For myself, I confess, that my head is not formed _tantas
componere lites_. And as you began yours of March the 2nd, with a
declaration, that you were about to write me the most frivolous letter I
had ever read, so I will close mine by saying, I have written you a full
match for it, and by adding my affectionate respects to Mrs. Adams, and
the assurance of my constant attachment and consideration for yourself.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CXXXI.--TO JOHN TAYLOR, May 28,1816

TO JOHN TAYLOR.

Monticello, May 28,1816.

Dear Sir,

On my return from a long journey and considerable absence from home,
I found here the copy of your 'Enquiry into the Principles of our
Government,' which you had been so kind as to send me; and for which I
pray you to accept my thanks. The difficulties of getting new works in
our situation, inland and without a single bookstore, are such as had
prevented my obtaining a copy before; and letters which had accumulated
during my absence, and were calling for answers, have not yet permitted
me to give to the whole a thorough reading: yet certain that you and I
could not think differently on the fundamentals of rightful government,
I was impatient, and availed myself of the intervals of repose from the
writing-table, to obtain a cursory idea of the body of the work.

I see in it much matter for profound reflection; much which should
confirm our adhesion, in practice, to the good principles of our
constitution, and fix our attention on what is yet to be made good. The
sixth section on the good moral principles of our government, I found
so interesting and replete with sound principles, as to postpone my
letter-writing to its thorough perusal and consideration. Besides much
other good matter, it settles unanswerably the right of instructing
representatives, and their duty to obey. The system of banking we have
both equally and ever reprobated. I contemplate it as a blot left in all
our constitutions, which, if not covered, will end in their destruction,
which is already hit by the gamblers in corruption, and is sweeping
away in its progress the fortunes and morals of our citizens. Funding I
consider as limited, rightfully, to a redemption of the debt within the
lives of a majority of the generation contracting it; every generation
coming equally, by the laws of the Creator of the world, to the free
possession of the earth he