Thomas Jefferson Papers
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To Thomas Jefferson from Lemuel Sawyer, 15 December 1808

Washington Decr. 15th. 1808

Dear Sir/

I cannot express my concern at the late unfortunate affair of the publication of my letter, by which a subject has been made public which ought to have been kept inviolably secret. As it affects your situation in relation to the gentlemans concernd, I feel truly hurt, tho I hope the blame will be laid entirely to myself as the only person guilty. I do assure you it arose from a misconception of the subject, I actually thought the order of our house for printing a certain number of copies of the communication embraced the confidential letters. That I labourd under that opinion will [. . . .] idea [. . . .] that those letters would be [. . . .] no great trouble or mischief may arise from [. . . .] may be sustained from it by myself. Accept my Respectful salutation

L Sawyer

MHi: Coolidge Collection.

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