to receive you
here. But nothing but sickness could effect that; so I do not wish it.
For I wish you health and happiness, and think of you with affection.
Adieu.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER, CCLXIII.--TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON, December 14, 1800

TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Washington, December 14, 1800.

Dear Sir,

Your former communications on the subject of the steam-engine, I took
the liberty of laying before the American Philosophical Society, by whom
they will be printed in their volume of the present year. I have heard
of the discovery of some large bones, supposed to be of the mammoth,
at about thirty or forty miles distance from you: and among the bones
found, are said to be some which we have never yet been able to procure.
The first interesting question is, whether they are the bones of the
mammoth? The second, What are the particular bones, and could I possibly
procure them? The bones I am most anxious to obtain, are those of the
head and feet, which are said to be among those found in your State,
as also the _ossa innominata_, and _scapula_. Others would also be
interesting, though similar ones may be possessed, because they would
show by their similarity that the set belong to the mammoth. Could I so
far venture to trouble you on this subject, as to engage some of your
friends, near the place, to procure for me the bones above mentioned?
If they are to be bought, I will gladly pay for them whatever you
shall agree to as reasonable; and will place the money in New York as
instantaneously after it is made known to me, as the post can carry it,
as I will all expenses of package, transportation, &c. to New York and
Philadelphia, where they may be addressed to John Barnes, whose agent
(he not being on the spot) will take care of them for me.

But I have still a more important subject whereon to address you. Though
our information of the votes of the several States be not official, yet
they are stated on such evidence as to satisfy both parties that the
republican vote has been successful. We may, therefore, venture to
hazard propositions on that hypothesis, without being justly subjected
to raillery or ridicule. The constitution, to which we are all attached,
was meant to be republican, and we believe to be republican according
to every candid interpretation. Yet we have seen it so interpreted and
administered, as to be truly what the French have called it, a monarchic
masque. Yet so long has the ves