To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Wetherill, 29 October 1806
Philadelphia, October 29. 1806.
Sir.
At a time like the present, when our country is threatned with hostilities from foreign powers; and while our ministers abroad are engaged in negociations, highly interesting to our peace, prosperity and national honor; it is peculiarly important, that the Executive of the United States, should possess the confidence of the People:—and that, that confidence should be publicly expressed and known. And as we have seen, with anxious concern, the attempts made to vilify and traduce, some of the best acts of your administration; and the freedom of the press abused to slander you, indirectly, through the persons of those whom you have so happily chosen, to be the coadjutors of your public cares, we believe the present expression of our sentiments will not be deemed either intrusive or ill timed.
Under those impressions, we feel a pleasure in declaring our most sincere respect for your virtues and talents:—Our fulest confidence in the patriotism and public spirit, so eminently conspicuous in the whole course of your administration:—and our gratitude for the important services, so uniformly and so faithfully bestowed by you, upon our common country.
Your administration has exhibited to an impartial world, the blessings and energies of a Republican Government, in a degree fully equal to the expectations formed of it, by its most enthusiastic admirers. It has combined a high sense of national honor and independence, with a sacred regard for the inestimable blessings of peace; the preservation of private rights, with an exemplary regard for public order; and an unexampled economy in our fiscal arrangements, with an advancement of national opulence.
So long as you shall be disposed (and we hope and trust it may be long) to devote your wisdom and vigilance to the service of your country, in the office of Cheif Magistrate, we may with confidence assure you, of the prompt and cordial support, of the Constitutional Republicans of Pennsylvania.
We are Sir, persuaded that you will give credit to the sincerity of our declarations, notwithstanding there is a political difference between us, and a portion of our Republican brethern, upon certain subjects, arising, cheifly from an opposition, on their part, to the Constitution of our State:—an opposition, which was violent, sudden and unexpected; but which we believe is now subsiding: and we trust that all the unprejudiced Republicans, will soon assent to the correctness of our views, and co-operate with us, in all measures tending to promote the interests of our country.
We do not presume to enter into the Executive Closet:—But we cannot forbear, on this occasion, when we find distinction drawn between you and the members of your administration, respectfully to express our confidence in those enlightened statesmen, whom you have selected for the heads of the great departments of our government:—a confidence formed by our knowledge of their tried and uniform patriotism; increased by the value of your selection; and confirmed by your retaining them in those high and dignified stations. That they have been so retained, is a circumstance, which, while it bespeaks your own experience of their usefulness, of their abilities and of their integrity, furnishes a sufficient answer to their calumniators.
That you may long live to be a witness and a partaker of our national happiness and prosperity, which you have so greatly contributed to establish, is our most sincere and most ardent wish.
Signed by the unanimous order of the meeting.
Saml. Wetherill Chairman
Mahlon Dickerson Secretary
DLC: Papers of Thomas Jefferson.