1To Thomas Jefferson from John Purdon, 7 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The only apology I can make for this approach and troubling you, is my Zeal for our Countries Cause, as we have a nation too powerfull for any other on that Element to meet them, My humble opinion, Sir, is that we ought to adopt a mode to combat them, and with what is said, in the small piece, of fire Vessals, this they cannot counteract, If rightly managed, will prevent them from ever...