Thomas Jefferson Papers

Thomas Jefferson to George Logan, 20 June 1816

To George Logan

Monticello June 20. 16.

Dear Sir

Your favor of the 5th is now recieved. I never doubted the purity of your intentions in the publications of which I complained; but the correctness only of committing to the public a private correspondence not intended for their eye.1 as to federal slanders, I never wished them to be answered, but by the tenor of my life, half a century of which has been on a theatre at which the public have been spectators, and competent judges of it’s merit. their approbation has taught a lesson, useful to the world, that the man who fears no truths has nothing to fear from lies. I should have fancied myself half guilty had I condescended to put pen to paper in refutation of their falsehoods, or drawn to them respect by any notice from myself. but let all this be forgotten. knowing now my repugnance to take any part in public discussions, I shall be confident in future of being spared that pain, and avail myself freely of every occasion of renewing to mrs Logan and yourself the assurance of my sincere & friendly remembrance, respect and attachment.

Th: Jefferson

RC (PHi: Logan Papers); addressed: “Doctr George Logan Stenton near Philadelphia”; franked; postmarked Milton, 21 June; endorsed by Deborah Norris Logan. PoC (DLC).

1Preceding two words reworked from “them.”

Index Entries

  • Federalist party; abuses TJ search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Correspondence; publication of papers search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Family & Friends; friendship with G. Logan search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Opinions on; privacy of correspondence search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Opinions on; publication of his letters search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Opinions on; truth search
  • Logan, Deborah Norris (George Logan’s wife); TJ sends greetings to search
  • Logan, George; friendship with TJ search
  • Logan, George; letters to search
  • Logan, George; TJ’s correspondence with published search