and I cannot but hope that that triumph, and the consequent disgrace of the invading tyrants, is destined, in the order of events, to kindle the wrath of the people of Europe against those who have dared to embroil them in such wickedness, and to bring at length, kings, nobles, and priests to the scaffolds which they have been so long deluging with human blood.  I am still warm whenever I think of these scoundrels, though I do it as seldom as I can, preferring infinitely to contemplate the tranquil growth of my lucerne and potatoes.  I have so completely withdrawn myself from these spectacles of usurpation and misrule, that I do not take a single newspaper, nor read one a month:  and I feel myself infinitely the happier for it.

We are alarmed here with the apprehensions of war; and sincerely anxious that it may be avoided; but not at the expense either of our faith or honor.  It seems much the general opinion here, the latter has been too much wounded not to require reparation, and to seek it even in war, if that be necessary.  As to myself, I love peace, and I am anxious that we should give the world still another useful lesson, by showing to them other modes of punishing injuries than by war, which is as much a punishment to the punisher as to the sufferer.  I love therefore, Mr. Clarke’s proposition of cutting off all communication with the nation which has conducted itself so atrociously.  This you will say may bring on war.  If it does, we will meet it like men; but it may not bring on war, and then the experiment will have been a happy one.  I believe this war would be vastly more unanimously approved than any one we ever were engaged in; because the aggressions have been so wanton and bare-faced, and so unquestionably against our desire.  I am sorry Mr. Cooper and Priestley did not take a more general survey of our country before they fixed themselves.  I think they might have promoted their own advantage by it, and have aided the introduction of improvement where it is more wanting.  The prospect of wheat for the ensuing year is a bad one.  This is all the sort of news you can expect from me.  From you I shall be glad to hear all sorts of news, and particularly any improvements in the arts applicable to husbandry or household manufacture.

I am, with very sincere affection, Dear Sir, your friend and servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CLXXIX.—­TO THE PRESIDENT, May 14, 1794

TO THE PRESIDENT.

Monticello, May 14, 1794.

Dear Sir,

I am honored with your favor of April the 24th, and received at the same time Mr. Bertrand’s agricultural prospectus.  Though he mentions my having seen him at a particular place, yet I remember nothing of it, and observing that he intimates an application for lands in America, I conceive his letter meant for me as Secretary of State, and therefore I now send it to the Secretary of State.  He has given