Page:Life And Letters Of Thomas Jefferson -- Hirst (IA in.ernet.dli.2015.89541).pdf/549

Rh should they do anything to perpetuate hatred against England? "Should we not on the contrary begin to open ourselves to other and more rational dispositions?" Wise men in England and America would begin to think of the interests of both countries, and Jefferson thought it would be better "to prepare the minds of our citizens for a corresponding change of dispositions by acts of comity towards England rather than by commemoration of hatred." He felt sure too that the British government and constitution would soon be reformed. "Were they once under a government," so he wrote to Adams, "which should treat us with justice and equity I should myself feel with great strength the ties which bind us together of origin, language, laws, and manners; and I am persuaded the two peoples would become in future, as it was with the ancient Greeks, among whom it was reproachful for Greek to be found fighting against Greek in a foreign army."

With these noble sentiments, prophetic of the future, we may fitly pass to the era of good will, as Monroe's administration has been called. But first let us pause to take a look at Monticello, its gardens and its library.