by which I mean the legislature as well as the
executive. Accept assurances of my sincere friendship and high respect.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CCCII.--TO GOVERNOR MONROE, January 13,1803

TO GOVERNOR MONROE.

Washington, January 13,1803.

Dear Sir,

I dropped you a line on the 10th, informing you of a nomination I
had made of you to the Senate, and yesterday I enclosed you their
approbation, not then having time to write. The agitation of the public
mind on occasion of the late suspension of our right of deposite at New
Orleans is extreme. In the western country it is natural, and grounded
on honest motives. In the sea-ports it proceeds from a desire for war,
which increases the mercantile lottery: in the federalists, generally,
and especially those of Congress, the object is to force us into war if
possible, in order to derange our finances, or, if this cannot be done,
to attach the western country to them, as their best friends, and thus
get again into power. Remonstrances, memorials, &c. are now circulating
through the whole of the western country, and signed by the body of
the people. The measures we have been pursuing, being invisible, do
not satisfy their minds. Something sensible, therefore, has become
necessary; and indeed our object of purchasing New Orleans and
the Floridas is a measure liable to assume so many shapes, that no
instructions could be squared to fit them. It was essential then, to
send a minister extraordinary, to be joined with the ordinary one, with
discretionary powers; first, however, well impressed with all our
views, and therefore qualified to meet and modify to these every form
of proposition which could come from the other party. This could be
done only in full and frequent oral communications. Having determined
on this, there could not be two opinions among the republicans as to the
person. You possessed the unlimited confidence of the administration and
of the western people; and generally of the republicans every where; and
were you to refuse to go, no other man can be found who does this. The
measure has already silenced the federalists here. Congress will no
longer be agitated by them: and the country will become calm as fast as
the information extends over it. All eyes, all hopes are now fixed on
you; and were you to decline, the chagrin would be universal, and
would shake under your feet the high ground on which you stand with the
public. Indeed, I know nothing whic