1From Thomas Jefferson to James O. Morse, 30 April 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I must beg to be excused from answering the question proposed to me in your favor of the 11 th inst. on the subject of the Candidates named for the next Presidency. I lay it down as a law to myself to take no part in that election. advice on such an occasion, were I even qualified to give it, would incur a fearful responsibility. I shall be perfectly contented with any choice my fellow...
2From Thomas Jefferson to James O. Morse, 30 June 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
you ask permission to publish my letter to you of Apr. 30. altho I have a great aversion to this generally, yet I consent on the present occasion, because, in fact, I wish it to be known that I do not meddle in the ensuing Presidential election. but as that letter was written carelesly, without an idea of it’s going into the papers, I must ask leave, by some corrections, to make it more proper...