1Benjamin Austin to Thomas Jefferson, 11 December 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the return of General Dearborne from his visit to monticello , I am highly gratify’d in hearing that you enjoy your health & that you are so happily situated in your domestic retirement.—During the convulsions of Europe , & the events which have taken place in our own Country, a person of your accurate observation must have experienced the most anxious solicitude for the result of those...
2Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Austin, 9 January 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Dec. 21. has been recieved, and I am first to thank you for the pamphlet it covered. the same description of persons which is the subject of that is so much multiplied here too as to be almost a grievance, and, by their numbers in the public councils, have wrested from the public hand the direction of the pruning knife. but with us, as a body, they are republican, and mostly...
3Benjamin Austin to Thomas Jefferson, 25 January 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of acknowledging your Letter of Jan y 9 th & have taken the liberty to read it to many of our republican friends—Its contents are consider’d so valuable, that I induc’d to request your permission to have it inserted in the Chronicle.— There are many observations which are highly interesting, not only as they respect the manufacturs of our Country, but as they relate to Europe...
4Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Austin, 9 February 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Jan. 25. is just now recieved. I am in general extremely unwilling to be carried into the newspapers. no matter what the subject; the whole pack of the Essex kennel open upon me. with respect however to so much of my letter of Jan. 9. as relates to manufactures, I have less repugnance, because there is perhaps a degree of duty to avow a change of opinion called for by a change of...
5Benjamin Austin to Thomas Jefferson, 19 February 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Convinced that in your retirement, the concerns of your country arrest your attention, & as the most efficacious mode for the punishment of Criminals , has excited the consideration of many important States in the Union, I am induced to enclose a paper containing some remarks on this subject. Being sensible they are “not free from objections,” I more readily Submit them to your candid...
6Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Austin, 3 March 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Feb. 19. is just now received covering a paper on the subject of crimes and punishments. this is certainly among the most difficult subjects for which government has to provide. capital punishments for every thing, as in England , is revolting to human nature, a violation of human rights, & ineffectual, as is there proved . labor, in their own society is pernicious, as you...