ral
Breckenridge, and Mr. Johnson, would stand at your posts in the
legislature, until every thing was effected, and the institution opened.
If it is so difficult to get along with all the energy and influence of
our present colleagues in the legislature, how can we expect to proceed
at all, reducing our moving power? I know well your devotion to your
country, and your foresight of the awful scenes coming on her, sooner or
later. With this foresight, what service can we ever render her equal
to this? What object of our lives can we propose so important? What
interest of our own which ought not to be postponed to this? Health,
time, labor, on what in the single life which nature has given us, can
these be better bestowed than on this immortal boon to our country? The
exertions and the mortifications are temporary; the benefit eternal. If
any member of our college of Visitors could justifiably withdraw from
this sacred duty, it would be myself, who _quadragenis stipendiis
jamdudum peractis_, have neither vigor of body nor mind left to keep
the field: but I will die in the last ditch, and so I hope you will,
my friend, as well as our firm-breasted brothers and colleagues, Mr.
Johnson and General Breckenridge. Nature will not give you a second life
wherein to atone for the omissions of this. Pray then, dear and very
dear Sir, do not think of deserting us, but view the sacrifices which
seem to stand in your way, as the lesser duties, and such as ought to be
postponed to this, the greatest of all. Continue with us in these holy
labors, until, having seen their accomplishment, we may say with old
Simeon, '_Nunc dimittas, Domine_. Under all circumstances, however, of
praise or blame, I shall be affectionately yours.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CLIX.--TO GENERAL BRECKENRIDGE, February 15, 1821

TO GENERAL BRECKENRIDGE.

Monticello, February 15, 1821.

Dear Sir,

I learn with deep affliction, that nothing is likely to be done for our
University this year. So near as it is to the shore that one shove more
would land it there, I had hoped that would be given; and that we should
open with the next year an institution on which the fortunes of our
country may depend more than may meet the general eye. The reflections
that the boys of this age are to be the men of the next; that they
should be prepared to receive the holy charge which we are cherishing to
deliver over to them; that in establishing an institution of wisdom fo