Thomas Jefferson Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/99-01-02-4630

From Thomas Jefferson to Caesar Augustus Rodney, 5 December 1806

Washington Dec. 5. 06.

Dear Sir

I have not sooner been able to acknolege the reciept of your favors of the 21st. & 29th. ult. and to thank you for the communication of the letters they covered, & which are now re-inclosed. the designs of our Cataline are as real as they are romantic. but the parallel he has selected from history for the model of his own course corresponds but by halves. it is true in it’s principal character, but the materials to be employed are totally different. from the scourings of Rome. I am confident he will be compleatly deserted on the appearance of the Proclamation, because his strength was to consist of people who had been persuaded that the government connived at the enterprize. however we have not trusted to this weapon alone.—altho’ we shall possibly come to blows with Spain, it will accelerate the treaty instead of preventing it.—the appointment of a successor to judge Patterson was bound up by rule. the last judiciary system requiring a judge for each district, rendered it proper that he should be of the district. this has been observed in both the appointments to the supreme bench made by me. where an office is local we never go out of the limits for the officer. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of great esteem & respect.

Th: Jefferson

PHi.

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