Thomas Jefferson Papers

From Thomas Jefferson to John Thomas, 18 November 1807

Washington Nov. 18. 1807.

Sir

I recieved on the 14th. inst. your favor of Aug. 31. & I beg you to assure my fellow citizens of the Baptist church of New hope Meeting house that I learn with great satisfaction their approbation of the principles which have guided the present administration of the government. to cherish & maintain the rights and liberties of our citizens, & to ward from them the burthens, the miseries, & the crimes of war, by a just & friendly conduct towards all nations, were among the most obvious and important duties of those to whom the management of their public interests has been confided. and happy shall we be if a conduct guided by these views on our part shall secure to us a reciprocation of peace & justice from other nations.

Among the most inestimable of our blessings also is that you so justly particularise, of liberty to worship our creator in the way we think most agreeable to his will; a liberty deemed in other countries incompatible with good government, & yet proved by our experience to be it’s best support.

Your confidence in my dispositions to befriend every human right is highly grateful to me, and is rendered the more so by a consciousness that these dispositions have been sincerely entertained & pursued. I am thankful for the kindness expressed towards me personally, and pray you to return to the society in whose name you have addressed me, my best wishes for their happiness and prosperity; & to accept for yourself assurances of my great esteem & respect.

Th: Jefferson

DLC: Papers of Thomas Jefferson.

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