April 3 1809 Message Inhabitants Albemarle County

### About this speech Thomas Jefferson April 03, 1809 Source National Archives Demonstrating gratitude for the warm welcome home, Jefferson expresses his desire to settle down to private life and remain among friends and neighbors. [Presidential Speeches](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches) | Thomas Jefferson Presidency ## April 3, 1809: Message to the Inhabitants of Albemarle County ### Transcript Returning to the scenes of my birth and early life, to the society of those with whom I was raised, and who have been ever dear to me, I receive, fellow citizens and neighbors, with inexpressible pleasure, the cordial welcome you are so good as to give me. Long absent on duties which the history of a wonderful era made incumbent on those called to them, the pomp, the turmoil, the bustle and splendor of office, have drawn but deeper sighs for the tranquil and irresponsible occupations of private life, for the enjoyment of an affectionate intercourse with you, my neighbors and friends, and the endearments of family love, which nature has given us all, as the sweetener of every hour. For these I gladly lay down the distressing burthen of power, and seek, with my fellow citizens, repose and safety under the watchful cares, the labors, and perplexities of younger and abler minds. The anxieties you express to administer to my happiness, do, of themselves, confer that happiness: and the measure will be complete, if my endeavors to fulfill my duties in the several public stations to whi
ch I have been called, have obtained for me the approbation of my country. The part which I have acted on the theatre of public life, has been before them; and to their sentence I submit it: but the testimony of my native country, of the individuals who have known me in private life, to my conduct in its various duties and relations, is the more grateful, as proceeding from eye witnesses and observers, from triers of the vicinage. Of you then, my neighbors, I may ask, in the face of the world, ?whose ox have I taken, or whom have defrauded? Whom have I oppressed, or of whose hand have I received a bribe to blind mine eyes therewith?? On your verdict I rest with conscious security. Your wishes for my happiness are received with just sensibility, and I offer sincere prayers for your own welfare and prosperity. Previous [November 8, 1808: Eighth Annual Message](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/november-8-1808-eighth-annual-message) ### More Thomas Jefferson speeches [View all Thomas Jefferson speeches](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches?field_president_target_id\[3\]=3)