The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-01-13
THOMAS JEFFERSON,
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

CIR,
The general sGemhly of Virginia, viewing
the prefent ii,uation of the United States, both
as it refpetfs their foreign relations, and their
internal concerns feel it duty impofed upon
them TO addrefs you, in behalf of themfeves
and thsr conftituents, aud to requefl that you
will, for another term after the expiration ofthe
pretent, content to be devoted To the fervice of
ourccuntry.-But, left the courfe now pur-
fued iEould. by the enemies of liberty, be milf
interpreted to the prejudice of thofe pure prin-
cinles of repnblicaniim which, through your
life, you have 70 1ealouly advocated, and 70
ably maintained The general af1cmbly deem
II proper to declare the motives by which they
are attuatcd.
Human wifdom cannot, with certainty fore
lee the period, at which our differences with
foreign nations will be brought to that favour
able iilue, which juftice may fanefion; nor at
which our commercial intercourse with them,
will be placed on that equal footing of recipro-
city, which the PROPERTY, the independence (
and the honor Of the United States demand. r
is polliblc that the mott jealous employment
OF the beft practicable means may not avail to
produce thofe deirabe objects, during the pre-
fentterm ofyour chief magfracy.---In that e.
vent, it is wiihed that you, who enjoy the full
benefit of all the light which your and nations
witdom and experience combined have fhed up
on the fuhjea THAT yon, who are difpofcd
10 have "Peace, commerce, and honeft friend
nip with all nations :''-That YOU, who are
pohcf1ed of the undivided confidence and af-
feetions of the American people, fhould contin-
lie to preiide over our general government.
Secondly. Altho' the General AGembly be-
lieve that the fchifm, which has recently taken
placeaLong the republicans, arole from diff
ference in opinion, refpset;ng mere queftions of
expectancy, or of policy, in no manner extend
ing to the principles Of our government: And
that in all material points their political faith is
the iame-Yet divifons of this innocent diff
cription, having once arifen, may be rafhly TO-
meuted, by thofe of Indifferent fpirit or art
fully, by the wicked and dehgniug, for the
mott unworthy purpofes until our political
edfce, which is 70 juftly preferred to all others
in The world. for its beauty and its ltrength,
will Be entirely anHihilated.
Upon the fuhj-6t of animation Of dfcufIi-
ons, and of exeftions," produced by CONTEXT of
opinion, your fentimsnts are we'll known, and
highly Appreciated Tho the will of the ma
jority is in all cafestoprevail, "the minority pof-
ftistheir equal rights. which equal laws mut
protect: and tn violate would be ,oppre III
or."-" Brctheren of the fame political princi-
pie, cugh. never to be called by different
names."-Tho genera! aflembly know no cha.
rasier, who might probably be elected TO fIc-
coed you, to whom they would 70 willingly,
or could 70 fafe!y cohhde the piea6ng talk of
promoting and cheriihng, among our political
brethren, that perfect union and good will
which are elientiai to the general happiness &
that "harmony and affection, without which.
!iherty and even life itfclf, are but drca.y
ihngs."
Thirdly. A view the Iaft adminiitr alton
vii! prove that in order to preferve our union,
and our civil liberty, it is nrcoTary that our
confidence ihoud I've placed in contribution
repGered as perfect az experience and hnman
wifdom can make il, and not in the infaIlibiiity
of our public agen.s.-Your opinion relative TO
fone ofthe mof Ylaring defects in the federal
confiitution, has been long iOce announced to
the word.--Before its adoption you declared
your attachment 70 the principle Of rotation in
the preiidenta Office. And when YOU have
beer elevated tothst dignhed ffation, you have
carried ,hatpnre republican prncipleinto prac-
.ios, tY declining ali projections 20 reelection
20 that Office, af:er the expiration Of your pre-
tent term. Such al inf ,ace Of 'Irc pa.Sotifm
hath rot frequently occurred, and il is therefore
viewed, by the friends OF hberty, with the
higheft aud mott pies6ug ienhhlity. This a6t,
under exiting circumstances. is cnnlidered as
equal to reGgnation OF Office, and as tanta-
mount to ? reafonahlr abiencc thsrefrom.
Your declarations and your conduct prove i.
TO be your win that the extenlive and dange-
rous patronage annexed To the presidential Of
nee, ihould, for the public good, be dtminiihed
by conititutional provilious.--And that fueh
amendments 10 the contribution ihould be a.
doptrd, as "inay fix it upon principles capa-
HE Of reltraining human frailties," and of de-
tying the qVild5 Of contribution"
The general a1embiy adopt The fentiments
and the language Of the venerable Pendieton
in declaring that " it is only when great and
good men are A; the head of 2 nation, that the
people can expett to fucceed in forming new
barriers to counteract recent encrodchments on
their rights, and whenever nation is fo iupine
a. to iuficr fuch an opportunity to be loft, they
will foou feel that the danger was aot over"
II will not he Conlidered that an imputation
isiDtended, aPsinf the patrio.fm Of any citi-
zen, when IL Is atIerted, that 'of men advance
ed TO power, more are inclined 10 deltroy Iiber-
ty than 10 prcirrve H. But the whole tenor of
your conduct has proved TO the word, that you
| are an exception To- this m9Sla--That yau are
inclined To promote the iAetty and the hsppi.
nefs of mau.--The general an,mbIy of yoOr
native Rate, DO therefore, for the reafons above
| ALIGNED, mott earnehly reque6, tlst YOU vii
content to be conGdercd as Z c1udidstc, at the
next election. 10 fiH 'l,c prcfdentisi char.---Ir
the hope that your patsiolifm vii urge goa "a
a compliance with this propotiioo, tie genera
ahemb'y bid YOU aa sfecliOnlte adicu.
( Rcsoi~ed, hy the geoeT1l aRemhly, that Ga,
soses0oe ~ Ch,ef nasgi9rte uf tase t01alon
eeaitb be, an0 ~ hereby - rsgucaeS 10 for
sg4fd copy OF fhc tstseoIg sdStets 50 "a,