Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from Elisha Avery, 18 February 1805

From Elisha Avery

Lundi, Fev 18. 1805.

E. Avery a l’honneur d’accuser la reception de la note que Mr Jefferson a daigné lui ecrire. Il est faché que la disposition de la place en question, ne soit pas entierement dans les mains de Mr. J.— Cependant, il s’empressera de se procurer les renseignmens demandés; lesquels (sitôt qu’il les aura reçu,) seront transmis à Mr J.— De peur que le Governeur en même temps, ne fasse l’offre de cette place à quelque autre personne E.A. prieroit Mr J— de vouloir bien lui faire la grace de le nommer au-dit Govr. au du-moins de lui communiquer son avis la-dessus.—

E. Avery demande pardon à Mr Jefferson en osant suggerer ici, que la position dans laquelle il croit qu’il se trouvera aupres de ses Amis, pourra possiblement l’empecher de donner à son caractere toute la respectabilité qu’il pourroit désirer, peut être qu’il merite. Les personnes auxquelles il devroit s’adresser avec la plus de confiance, sont celles dont son independence de sentiment, et la franchise à se declarer, l’ont éloigné en quelque sorte et cette bonne intelligence que auroit-dû subsister entre elles et lui-même a deja été plus ou moins enterrompue.

Differer en opinion n’est nulle part un crime; mais dans certains pays, l’opinion aveuglée par le préjugé, va Jusqu’à proscrire des principes que la Raison et la Justice veullent établir.—

Neanmoins E.A. espere que parmi ses connoissances, il en trouvera assez, qui n’ignorent pas sa conduite et qui savent la Juger, pour l’aider à fournir à Mr J— telles preuves, qui ne laisseront point lieu de douter de son charactere ni de ses vues.—

Il est extreement sensible à l’attention de Mr J.— et espere qu’en toutes choses il s’en rendra digne.

Editors’ Translation

Monday, 18 Feb. 1805

E. Avery has the honor of acknowledging the note Mr. Jefferson kindly sent him. He regrets that Mr. J. does not have total authority to allocate the area in question, but will hasten to obtain the information requested and forward it to Mr. J. as soon as it comes. Fearing that the governor might offer the space to someone else in the meantime, E.A. asks Mr. J. to please give his name to the governor, or at least convey his views on the matter.

E. Avery asks Mr. Jefferson to forgive him for daring to mention that the position in which he finds himself with his friends might prevent him from appearing as respectable as he would wish and as he perhaps deserves. The people he should have been able to solicit with the most confidence are those whom his independent judgment and unfettered speech have alienated. The accord that should have prevailed among them has been more or less interrupted.

Differences of opinion are by no means a crime, but in some countries judgment, blinded by prejudice, goes so far as to ban the very principles that reason and justice seek to establish.

Nevertheless, E.A. hopes that among his acquaintances he will find enough who are aware of his conduct, know how to judge it, and can help furnish sufficient proof so Mr. J. will have no reason to doubt his character or opinions.

He is extremely grateful for Mr. J.’s attention and hopes to deserve it in all ways.

RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 19 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.

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