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Richmond Enquirer
Richmond, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Thomas Jefferson's 1821 letter to an unnamed recipient discusses his withdrawal from public affairs due to age, warns of federal judiciary's role in consolidating power over states, praises Judge Roane as a key resistor, and recommends John Taylor's book as essential reading for legislators to reaffirm original government principles.
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ON CONSOLIDATION.
Copy of a letter from Thos. Jefferson, to
Monticello, Jan. 19, 1821,
Dear Sir:
I duly received your favor of the 11th, covering Judge Roane's letter, which I now return. Of the kindness of his sentiments, expressed towards myself, I am highly sensible; and consequently, I believe, that my public services had merited the approbation he so indulgently bestows. The satisfaction I should derive from it would be reward enough. To his wish that I would take a part in the transactions of the present day, I am sensible of my incompetence. For first, I know little about them, having long withdrawn my attention from public affairs, and resigned myself with folded arms to the care of those who are to care for us all. And, next, the hand of time pressing heavily on me, in mind as well as body, leaves in neither sufficient energy to engage in public contentions. I am sensible of the inroads daily making by the federal, into the jurisdiction of its co-ordinate associates, the state governments. The legislative and executive branches may sometimes err, but elections and dependence will bring them to rights. The judiciary branch is the instrument which, working like gravity, without intermission, is to press us, at last, into one consolidated mass. Against this I know no one who, equally with Judge Roane himself, possesses the power and the courage to make resistance; and to him I look, and have long looked, as our strongest bulwark. If Congress fails to shield the states from dangers so palpable and so imminent, the states must shield themselves and meet the invader foot to foot. This is already half done by Col. Taylor's book: because, a conviction that we are right accomplishes half the difficulty of correcting wrong. This book is the most effectual retraction of our government to its original principles which has ever yet been sent by heaven to our aid; every state in the Union should give a copy to every member they elect as a standing instruction, and ours should set the example.
Accept the assurance of my affectionate and respectful attachment.
TH: JEFFERSON.
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Letter to Editor Details
Author
Th: Jefferson
Recipient
Dear Sir
Main Argument
jefferson declines active involvement in current affairs due to age and withdrawal, highlights federal judiciary's threat of consolidating power over states, urges state resistance, and endorses judge roane and col. taylor's book as vital defenses of original principles.
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