The Enquirer

The following is Mr. Jefferson's answer to the address of the Orleans Legislature.

Gentlemen,

I ask the favor of you to communicate in such way as you shall think most proper, the enclosed answer to the address of the legislative council and house of representatives of the territory of Orleans, of March 29th, and to accept for yourselves, the assurances of my high consideration and respect

TH: JEFFERSON.

The hon. Poydras, President of the Legislative Council, &c.

THE ANSWER

To the legislative council and house of representatives of the territory of Orleans.

I receive, fellow citizens, with a just sensibility, the expressions of esteem and approbation communicated in your kind address of the 29th of March, and am thankful for them; the motives which have led to my retirement from office, were dictated by a sense of duty, and will, I trust, be approved by my fellow citizens generally.

It is indeed a source of real concern, that an impartial neutrality scrupulously observed towards the belligerent nations of Europe, has not been sufficient to protect us against encroachments on our rights; and altho' deprecating war, should no alternative be presented us but disgraceful submission to unlawful pretensions, I have entire confidence in your assurances, that you will cheerfully submit to whatever sacrifices and privations may be necessary for vindicating the rights, the honor and independence of our nation.

Far from a disposition to avail ourselves of the peculiar situation of any belligerent nation, to ask concessions incompatible with their rights, with justice or reciprocity we have never proposed to any the sacrifice of a single right, and in consideration of existing circumstances we have been willing, when our duty to other nations remitted us to relax for a time, and in some cases that strictness of right which the laws of nature, the acknowledgments of the civilized world and the equality of independence of nations entitle us to. Should, therefore, excessive and continued injuries compel at length a resort to the means of self-redress, we are strong in the consciousness that no wrong committed on our part, no precipitation in repelling the wrongs committed by others, no want of moderation in our expectations of voluntary justice, but undeniable aggressions on us--and the avowed purpose of continuing them will have produced a necessity so little consonant with our principles or inclinations.

To carry with me into retirement the approbation and esteem of my fellow citizens, will indeed be the highest reward they can confer on me, and certainly the only one I have ever desired I invoke the favor of heaven, fellow citizens, towards yourselves and our beloved country.

TH: JEFFERSON.

Washington, June 11, 1808.