Page:Memoir, correspondence, and miscellanies, from the papers of Thomas Jefferson - Volume 4 - 2nd ed.djvu/286

 274 CORRESPONDENCE. on with conflicting and disputed translations. Such is this war of giants. And how can such pigmies as you and I decide between them? For myself, I confess, that my head is not formed tantas componere lites. And as you began yours of March the 2nd, with a declaration, that you were about to write me the most frivolous letter I had ever ready, so I will close mine by saying, I have written you a full match for it, and by adding my affectionate respects to Mrs. Adams, and the assurance of my constant attach- ment and consideration for yourself.

LETTER CXXXI.

TO JOHN TAYLOR.

Monticello, May 28, 1816.

On my return from a long journey and considerable absence from home, I found here the copy of your ' Enquiry into the Prin- ciples of our Government,' which you had been so kind as to send me ; and for which I pray you to accept my thanks. The diffi- culties of getting new works in our situation, inland and without a single bookstore, are such as had prevented my obtaining a copy before; and letters which had accumulated during ray absence, and were calling for answers, have not yet permitted me to give to the whole a thorough reading : yet certain that you and I could not think differently on the fundamentals of rightful government, I was impatient, and availed myself of the intervals of repose from the wriling-table, to obtain a cursory idea of the body of the work.

I see in it much matter for profound reflection ; much which should confirm our adhesion, in practice, to the good principles of our constitution, and fix our attention on what is yet to be made good. The sixth section on the good moral principles of our government, I found so interesting and replete with sound princi- ples, as to postpone my letter-writing to its thorough perusal and consideration. Besides much other good matter, it settles unan- swerably the right of instructing representatives, and their duty to obey. The system of banking we have both equally and ever reprobated. I contemplate it as a blot left in all our constitutions, which, if not covered, will end in their destruction, which is al- ready hit by the gamblers in corruption, and is sweeping away in