can people
will rally ere long to the same sentiment, and re-judge those, who, at
present, think they have all judgment in their own hands.

These observations will show you how far the imputations in the
paragraph sent me approach the truth. Yet they are not intended for a
newspaper. At a very early period of my life, I determined never to
put a sentence into any newspaper. I have religiously adhered to the
resolution through my life, and have great reason to be contented with
it. Were I to undertake to answer the calumnies of the newspapers, it
would be more than all my own time and that of twenty aids could effect.
For while I should be answering one, twenty new ones would be invented.
I have thought it better to trust to the justice of my countrymen, that
they would judge me by what they see of my conduct on the stage where
they have placed me, and what they knew of me before the epoch, since
which a particular party has supposed it might answer some view of
theirs to vilify me in the public eye. Some, I know, will not reflect
how apocryphal is the testimony of enemies so palpably betraying the
views with which they give it. But this is an injury to which duty
requires every one to submit whom the public think proper to call into
its councils. I thank you, my dear Sir, for the interest you have for me
on this occasion. Though I have made up my mind not to suffer calumny
to disturb my tranquillity, yet I retain all my sensibilities for the
approbation of the good and just. That is, indeed, the chief consolation
for the hatred of so many, who, without the least personal knowledge,
and on the sacred evidence of Porcupine and Fenno alone, cover me with
their implacable hatred. The only return I will ever make them, will be
to do them all the good I can, in spite of their teeth.

I have the pleasure to inform you that all your friends in this quarter
are well, and to assure you of the sentiments of sincere esteem and
respect with which I am, Dear Sir, your friend and servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CCXL.--TO A. H. ROWAN, September 26, 1798

TO A. H. ROWAN.

Monticello, September 26, 1798.

Sir,

To avoid the suspicions and curiosity of the post-office, which would
have been excited by seeing your name and mine on the back of a letter,
I have delayed acknowledging the receipt of your favor of July last,
till an occasion to write to an inhabitant of Wilmington gives me an
opportunity of putting my letter u