fanaticizing preachers, who, in county
elections, would be universally chosen, and the predominant sect of the
county would possess itself of all its schools.

A wrist stiffened by an ancient accident, now more so by the effect of
age, renders writing a slow and irksome operation with me. I cannot,
therefore, present these views by separate letters to each of our
colleagues in the legislature, but must pray you to communicate them to
Mr. Johnson and General Breckenridge, and to request them to
consider this as equally meant for them. Mr. Gordon, being the local
representative of the University and among its most zealous friends,
would be a more useful second to General Breckenridge in the House of
Delegates, by a free communication of what concerns the University, with
which he has had little opportunity of becoming acquainted. So also,
would it be as to Mr. Rives, who would be a friendly advocate.

Accept the assurances of my constant and affectionate esteem and
respect.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CLVI.--TO THOMAS RITCHIE, December, 25, 1820

TO THOMAS RITCHIE.

Monticello, December, 25, 1820.

Dear Sir,

On my return home after a long absence, I find here your favor of
November the 23rd, with Colonel Taylor's 'Construction Construed,' which
you have been so kind as to send me, in the name of the author as well
as yourself. Permit me, if you please, to use the same channel
for conveying to him the thanks I render you also for this mark of
attention. I shall read it, I know, with edification, as I did his
Enquiry, to which I acknowledge myself indebted for many valuable ideas,
and for the correction of some errors of early opinion, never seen in
a correct light until presented to me in that work. That the present
volume is equally orthodox I know before reading it, because I know
that Colonel Taylor and myself have rarely, if ever, differed in any
political principle of importance. Every act of his life, and every word
he ever wrote, satisfies me of this. So, also, as to the two Presidents,
late and now in office, I know them both to be of principles as truly
republican as any men living. If there be any thing amiss, therefore,
in the present state of our affairs, as the formidable deficit lately
unfolded to us indicates, I ascribe it to the inattention of Congress
to their duties, to their unwise dissipation and waste of the public
contributions. They seemed, some little while ago, to be at a loss
for ob