Thomas Jefferson Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/99-01-02-8850

From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 13 October 1808

Washington Oct. 13. 08.

Dear Sir

Since writing my letter of yesterday it has occurred to me that the stile in which, in my letters to you, I have spoken of the mass of falsehood & calumny afloat in our country, & the impossibility of believing what is beyond the evidence of our own senses, is too strong to be published. such a fellow as Cobbet, abusing us as a nation, will quote this as testimony of it given by ourselves. the federalists will attack it as a libel on the nation. indeed every word from my pen becoming a text & theme for abusing me by the federalists, I cannot be too cautious. perhaps your friendship will discover other things which escaped my hasty perusal & which it might do harm to publish. I leave the whole to yourself entirely & repeat my affectionate salutations.

Th: Jefferson

DLC: Papers of James Monroe.

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