Thomas Jefferson Papers

From Thomas Jefferson to Chandler Price, 28 February 1807

Washington Feb. 28. 07.

Sir

Your favor of the 24th. was recieved this morning. the greatest favor which can be done me is the communication of the opinions of judicious men, of men who do not suffer their judgments to be biassed by either interest or passions. of this character, I know mr Morgan to be. I return you the original of the letter of Jan. 15. having copied it to a mark in the 4th. page which you will see: I retain, as I understand, with your permission the copies of those of Jan. 22. & 27. because they are copies, & the original of Dec. 31. because it relates wholly to public matters. they shall be sacredly reserved to myself, and for my own information only. the fortification of N. Orleans will be taken up on a sufficient footing; but the other part of mr Morgan’s wish, an additional regular force, will not prevail. the spirit of this country is totally adverse to a large military force. I have tried for two sessions to prevail on the legislature to let me plant 30,000. well chosen volunteers on donation lands on the West side of the Missipi, as a militia always at hand for the defence of N. Orleans; but I have not yet succeeded. the opinion grows, & will perhaps ripen by the next session. a great security for that Country is that there is a moral certainty that neither France nor England would meddle with that country, while the present state of Europe continues, & Spain, we fear not. Accept my salutations & assurances of esteem & respect.

Th: Jefferson

DLC: Papers of Thomas Jefferson.

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