you know, had been in
constant opposition to our laboring majority. Our estimate at the time
was, that he, Dickinson, and Johnson of Maryland, by their ingenuity,
perseverance, and partiality to our English connection, had constantly
kept us a year behind where we ought to have been, in our preparations
and proceedings. From about the date of the Virginia instructions of May
the 15th, 1776, to declare Independence, Mr. Jay absented himself from
Congress, and never came there again until December, 1778. Of course,
he had no part in the discussions or decision of that question. The
instructions to their Delegates by the convention of New York, then
sitting, to sign the Declaration, were presented to Congress on the 15th
of July only, and on that day the journals show the absence of Mr. Jay,
by a letter received from him, as they had done as early as the 29th
of May, by another letter. And I think he had been omitted by the
convention on a new election of Delegates, when they changed their
instructions. Of this last fact, however, having no evidence but an
ancient impression, I shall not affirm it. But whether so or not, no
agency of accident appears in the case. This error of fact, however,
whether yours or mine, is of little consequence to the public. But
truth being as cheap as error, it is as well to rectify it for our own
satisfaction.

I have had a fever of about three weeks, during the last and preceding
month, from which I am entirely recovered except as to strength.

Ever affectionately yours.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CLXXV.--TO JOHN ADAMS, October 12, 1823

TO JOHN ADAMS.

Monticello, October 12, 1823.

Dear Sir,

I do not write with the ease which your letter of September the 18th
supposes. Crippled wrists and fingers make writing slow and laborious.
But while writing to you, I lose the sense of these things in the
recollection of ancient times, when youth and health made happiness out
of every thing. I forget for a while the hoary winter of age, when we
can think of nothing but how to keep ourselves warm, and how to get rid
of our heavy hours until the friendly hand of death shall rid us of all
at once. Against this _tedium vita_, however, I am fortunately mounted
on a hobby, which, indeed, I should have better managed some thirty
or forty years ago; but whose easy amble is still sufficient to give
exercise and amusement to an octogenary rider. This is the establishment
of a University, on a s