ow-citizens (many of whom had been
carried away by the X. Y. Z. business) will shortly be consolidated
in the same sentiments. When they examine the real principles of both
parties, I think they will find little to differ about. I know, indeed,
that there are some of their leaders who have so committed themselves,
that pride, if no other passion, will prevent their coalescing. We must
be easy with them. The eastern States will be the last to come over
on account of the dominion of the clergy, who had got a smell of union
between Church and State, and began to indulge reveries which can never
be realized in the present state of science. If, indeed, they could
have prevailed on us to view all advances in science as dangerous
innovations, and to look back to the opinions and practices of our
forefathers, instead of looking forward, for improvement, a promising
groundwork would have been laid. But I am in hopes their good sense will
dictate to them, that since the mountain will not come to them, they
had better go to the mountain: that they will find their interest in
acquiescing in the liberty and science of their country, and that
the Christian religion, when divested of the rags in which they have
enveloped it, and brought to the original purity and simplicity of its
benevolent institutor, is a religion of all others most friendly to
liberty, science, and the freest expansion of the human mind.

I sincerely wish with you, we could see our government so secured as to
depend less on the character of the person in whose hands it is trusted.
Bad men will sometimes get in, and, with such an immense patronage, may
make great progress in corrupting the public mind and principles. This
is a subject with which wisdom and patriotism should be occupied.

I pray you to accept assurances of my high respect and esteem.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CCLXXXI.--TO WILLIAM B. GILES, March 23, 1801

TO WILLIAM B. GILES.

Washington, March 23, 1801.

Dear Sir,

I received two days ago your favor of the 16th, and thank you for your
kind felicitations on my election: but whether it will be a subject of
felicitation permanently, will be for chapters of future history to
say. The important subjects of the government I meet with some degree
of courage and confidence, because I do believe the talents to be
associated with me, the honest line of conduct we will religiously
pursue at home and abroad, and the confidence of my fellow-citiz