name when given, should be deemed a sacred
property.

I promised you a letter on Christianity, which I have not forgotten.
On the contrary, it is because I have reflected on it, that I find much
more time necessary for it than I can at present dispose of. I have
a view of the subject which ought to displease neither the rational
Christian nor Deist, and would reconcile many to a character they have
too hastily rejected. I do not know that it would reconcile the _genus
irritabile vatum_, who are all in arms against me. Their hostility is on
too interesting ground to be softened. The delusion into which the X. Y.
Z. plot showed it possible to push the people; the successful experiment
made under the prevalence of that delusion on the clause of the
constitution, which, while it secured the freedom of the press, covered
also the freedom of religion, had given to the clergy a very favorite
hope of obtaining an establishment of a particular form of Christianity
through the United States; and as every sect believes its own form
the true one, every one perhaps hoped for his own, but especially the
Episcopalians and Congregationalists. The returning good sense of our
country threatens abortion to their hopes, and they believe that any
portion of power confided to me, will be exerted in opposition to their
schemes. And they believe rightly: for I have sworn, upon the altar of
God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of
man. But this is all they have to fear from me: and enough too in their
opinion. And this is the cause of their printing lying pamphlets against
me, forging conversations for me with Mazzei, Bishop Madison, &c. which
are absolute falsehoods without a circumstance of truth to rest on;
falsehoods, too, of which I acquit Mazzei and Bishop Madison, for they
are men of truth.

But enough of this: it is more than I have before committed to paper on
the subject of all the lies which have been preached and printed against
me. I have not seen the work of Sonnini which you mention, but I have
seen another work on Africa, Park's, which I fear will throw cold-water
on the hopes of the friends of freedom. You will hear an account of an
attempt at insurrection in this state. I am looking with anxiety to see
what will be its effect on our State. We are truly to be pitied. I fear
we have little chance to see you at the federal city or in Virginia,
and as little at Philadelphia. It would be a great treat