This letter is for yourself alone. I have recieved a communication thro’ D. Carr for which I sincerely thank you. I am busily engaged in collecting materials from the offices, arranging, extracting Etc so as to place a very plain case in your hands. when fully possessed of the materials, I shall state the points on which I consider myself justified, submit the matter to my counsel, recieve their advice, & concert with them the course of defence. I consider this as a duty I owe to the public, and that this is the only part of the business they will permit me to be charged with. I imagine the government will give us the aid of mr Rodney, of their own motion. do you not think we should engage mr Tazewell. I am strongly of that opinion myself, because he would be able either for us or against us. yet you know him so much better than I do that I ask your advice, & your’s alone, & will be governed entirely by it. be so good as to give it by return of post, as no time should be lost. I have inclosed to mr Hay a letter from mr Rodney which I have requested him to hand to you, & I pray you after perusal to put it under cover to me. Affectionately yours

Th: Jefferson