general, are of the hungry and the naked, who cannot be quieted
but by food and raiment. But where are the means of feeding and clothing
them? The landholder has nothing of his own to give; he is but the
fiduciary of those who have lent him money; the lender is so taxed in
his meat, drink, and clothing, that he has but a bare subsistence left.
The landholder, then, must give up his land, or the lender his debt,
or they must compromise by giving up each one half. But will either
consent, peaceably, to such an abandonment of property? Or must it not
be settled by civil conflict? If peaceably compromised, will they agree
to risk another ruin under the same government unreformed? I think not;
but I would rather know what you think; because you have lived with
John Bull, and know better than I do the character of his herd. I salute
Mrs. Adams and yourself with every sentiment of affectionate cordiality
and respect;

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CXXXIX.--TO JOHN ADAMS, TO JOHN ADAMS

TO JOHN ADAMS.

Monticello, January 11, 1817.

Dear Sir,

Forty-three volumes read in one year, and twelve of them quarto! Dear
Sir, how I envy you! Half a dozen octavos in that space of time are as
much as I am allowed. I can read by candlelight only, and stealing long
hours from my rest: nor would that time be indulged to me, could I by
that light see to write. From sunrise to one or two o'clock, and often
from dinner to dark, I am drudging at the writing-table. And all this
to answer letters into which neither interest nor inclination on my part
enters; and often from persons whose names I have never before heard.
Yet, writing civilly, it is hard to refuse them civil answers. This is
the burthen of my life, a very grievous one indeed, and one which I must
get rid of. Delaplaine lately requested me to give him a line on the
subject of his book; meaning, as I well knew, to publish it. This I
constantly refuse; but in this instance yielded, that in saying a
word for him, I might say two for myself. I expressed in it freely
my sufferings from this source; hoping it would have the effect of an
indirect appeal to the discretion of those, strangers and others, who,
in the most friendly dispositions, oppress me with their concerns,
their pursuits, their projects, inventions, and speculations, political,
moral, religious, mechanical, mathematical, historical, &c. &c. &c.
I hope the appeal will bring me relief, and that I shall be left to,
ex