r: if any other can be
suggested which would answer our views and add less to their labors,
that will be a sufficient reason for my preferring it to my own
proposition, to the substance of which only, and not the form, I attach
any importance.

Accept for yourself particularly, my Dear Sir, assurances of my constant
and sincere affection and respect.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CCXCIII.--TO JOHN DICKINSON, December 19, 1801

TO JOHN DICKINSON.

Washington, December 19, 1801.

Dear Sir,

The approbation of my ancient friends is above all things the most
grateful to my heart. They know for what objects we relinquished the
delights of domestic society, tranquillity, and science, and committed
ourselves to the ocean of revolution, to wear out the only life God
has given us here, in scenes, the benefits of which will accrue only
to those who follow us. Surely we had in view to obtain the theory and
practice of good government; and how any, who seemed so ardent in this
pursuit, could as shamelessly have apostatized, and supposed we meant
only to put our government into other hands, but not other forms, is
indeed wonderful. The lesson we have had will probably be useful to the
people at large, by showing to them how capable they are of being
made the instruments of their own bondage. A little more prudence and
moderation in those who had mounted themselves on their fears, and it
would have been long and difficult to unhorse them. Their madness had
done in three years what reason alone acting against them would not have
effected in many; and the more, as they might have gone on forming new
entrenchments for themselves from year to year. My great anxiety at
present is, to avail ourselves of our ascendency to establish good
principles, and good practices: to fortify republicanism behind as many
barriers as possible, that the outworks may give time to rally and save
the citadel, should that be again in danger. On their part, they have
retired into the judiciary as a strong hold. There the remains of
federalism are to be preserved and fed from the treasury, and from that
battery all the works of republicanism are to be beaten down and
erased. By a fraudulent use of the constitution, which has made judges
irremovable, they have multiplied useless judges merely to strengthen
their phalanx.

You will perhaps have been alarmed, as some have been, at the
proposition to abolish the whole of the internal taxes. But it is
p