1To Thomas Jefferson from John Agnew, 15 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In the only country upon earth where man enjoys his birthright the inalienable gift heaven: a right to think and act as a moral agent, it becomes solemnly his duty to watch with unremitting jealousy the conduct of those to whose safeguard he entrusts this high prerogative: and to approve or condemn as they merit his approbation or his censure. But this all-important duty he ought to exercise...