The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-12-25
THOMAS JEFFERSON.
The Presidential Term Discussed ~
Him. Other Topics OF Long Ago.

Tho Presidential Term Discussed by
Mim--Other Topics OF Long Ago.
The Now York Times publishes the follow
ing letter, never before printed, write BY
Thomas Jefferson to James Marun, partaero'
Aaron Burr;
MoSucELLo, September 20, f--S'
To Mr., James Martin;
Sr-Your letter OF August 20 enables me to
turn to nine Of February 25, l79S, and you,
former one of February 22, 1901, and 10 recall
to my memory the Grafton at jamaica, which
was the sulj,ct OF them. see with pleasure
II continuance Of the same sound principles IN
tho address to Mr.. Quincy. Your quotation
from the former paper allndes, MS l pr, sumo,
to the term of office OF our Senate; n term like
that of the Judges, too long Tor my appreciation,
am for responsible les at short periods; Soc
ing neither reason nor safely in making public
iunctionaries independent OF tho nation Tor liie
or even for long terms OF years, On this prin-
ciple / prefer the presidential tenn OF four
years TO that OF seven years, which myself
had first suggested, nnnexing to it, however,
ineligibility forever after, and wish 1t we're
now annexed to the second quadrennial cleo
ton of president The conduct of Nlassachu-
sets, which is the subject OF your addre's
to Mr.. Quincy, is serious ms elm
eopardizng its issue. and still more so as an
act Of contumacy ngans. the Constitution.
One method Of proving their purpose would De
to call convention of their State and to require
,hom to declare themselves members OF the
Union, and obedient to Its determinations or
not mcmlc;s, and lot them go. Put this cues
ton solemnly to their people and their answer
cannot he doubtful. One-half Of them are
Republicans and would cling to the Union iom
principle. Ofthe other halt tho dispassoSiate
part would consider: |. That they do not
iaise bread sufficient for Their own subsistence,
and must go to Europe for the deficiency ii ex'
Guided from our ports, which vtal interests
would force us to do. 2. That they are
navigating people without stick Of timber foi
the hull Of a ship nor a pound OF anything to
export in 1t which would be admitted at ane
market. 8. That they are also manulactur
ing people, and lett by the exclusive system OF
Europe without a market but ,urs. T. Ihat
as the rivals Of England in manufactures, IN
Commerce, in navigation and hshe.ies they
would meet her competition in every point.
g. That England would feel no scruples in
making the Abandonment and ruin OF such u
rival the rice Of u treaty with the producing
States, whose interest too, it would be to
nou,ish a navigation beyond the Atlantic
rather than hostile one at our own door. And
G. That in case oil war with the Union, which
occurrences between cutcrminous nations fte-
quently produce, it would be contest OF
against Is. The remaining portion OF the
Federal moiety of the state would, ! believe
brave all these obstacles, because they are
monarchsts in principle, bearing deadly hatred
to their republican felow-citizens. impatient
under tho uscendancy Of republican princip'eS,
devoted in their attachment to England, and
pre:errng to be placed under her despotism II
they cannot hold tho helm of government here.
/ see in their separation no evil but the en-
ample, and believe that the effect OF that
would be corrected by an early and hnmiii6t.
ing return to the Union, after losing much OF
the population Of their country, insufficient III
its own resources to feed numerous inhabitants,
and inferior in all It's ailurements to the more
inviting soils climates. and government OF the
other states. Whether dispassionate discus
sion before the public of the advantages and
disadvan' ages Of separation to both parties
would be the best medicine for this dialyic
fever, or to consider il as sacrilege ever to
touch the question, may be doubted. am
myself generally dispo ed to indulge and to
follow reason, and sleeve that in no ease
would it be safer than in the present. Their
refractory course, however, will not be unpun-
ished by the indignation Of their cos ates,
their loss of influ nee with them, the ceusures
OF history, and the stain on the character OF
their state. With my thanks for the paper in.
closed, accept the assurance ofmy esteem aud
respect. III. JErFE RsoS.