1From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 18 August 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved only two days ago your favor of the 12th . and as it was on the eve of the return of our post, it was not possible to make so prompt a dispatch of the answer. Of all the doctrines which have ever been broached by the federal government, the novel one of the common law being in force & cognisable as an existing law in their courts, is to me the most formidable. all their other...