Thomas Jefferson to Francisco Solano Constancio, 29 December 1822
To Francisco Solano Constancio
Monto Dec. 29. 22.
I congratulate you Sir on your safe arrival in the US. and hope your passage has been as agreeable as the elements to which you were committed of wind and water could make it. I congratulate you also & especially on the regenern of your govmt and the prospect it exhibits of going thro’ it soberly and wisely. it is a debt which I owe to truth to say1 that in the course of a public life of some length I have ever found the govmt of Portugal the most uniformly just and courteous of any one with which I have had occn to communicate. the representative principle now common to both govmts by it’s engraftment into hers becomes an element2 the more of friendly attachment.3 and I confidently trust that the liberal principles which have merited to you the confidence of your country will be cordially4 employed in cherishing the harmony and friendly intercourse so interesting to both nations.
I learn with great pleasure that the merits of my friend Dr Fernandes have obtained from the regenerated govmt proofs so distinguished of it’s favble disposns.5
Should curiosity ever lead you to visit this part of our Union, I shall be happy to recieve you at Monto & to assure you in person of my high respect & considn.
Th:J.
Dft (DLC); on verso of portion of reused address cover to TJ; endorsed by TJ as a letter to “Constantio, Francisco Solano.”
1. Sentence to this point interlined in place of “I must still do justice to it’s former form however by saying.”
2. Preceding two words interlined in place of “a motive.”
3. Word interlined in place of “intercourse.”
4. Word interlined in place of “zealously.”
5. Preceding five words interlined in place of “honble of it’s confidence in him.”