rejoice at escaping.  I know well that no man will ever bring out of that office the reputation which carries him into it.  The honey-moon would be as short in that case as in any other, and its moments of extacy would be ransomed by years of torment and hatred.  I shall highly value indeed, the share which I may have had in the late vote, as an evidence of the share I hold in the esteem of my countrymen.  But in this point of view, a few votes more or less will be little sensible, and in every other, the minor will be preferred by me to the major vote.  I have no ambition to govern men; no passion which would lead me to delight to ride in a storm. Flumina amo sylvasque, inglorius.  My attachment to my home has enabled me to make the calculation with rigor, perhaps with partiality, to the issue which keeps me there.  The newspapers will permit me to plant my corn, pease, &c. in hills or drills as I please (and my oranges by the bye when you send them), while our eastern friend will be struggling with the storm which is gathering over us; perhaps be shipwrecked in it.  This is certainly not a moment to covet the helm.

I have often doubted whether most to praise or to blame your line of conduct.  If you had lent to your country the excellent talents you possess, on you would have fallen those torrents of abuse which have lately been poured forth on me.  So far, I praise the wisdom which has descried and steered clear of a waterspout ahead.  But now for the blame.  There is a debt of service due from every man to his country, proportioned to the bounties which nature and fortune have measured to him.  Counters will pay this from the poor of spirit; but from you, my friend, coin was due.  There is no bankrupt-law in heaven, by which you may get off with shillings in the pound; with rendering to a single State what you owed to the whole confederacy.  I think it was by the Roman law that a father was denied sepulture, unless his son would pay his debts.  Happy for you and us, that you have a son whom genius and education have qualified to pay yours.  But as you have been a good father in every thing else, be so in this also.  Come forward and pay your own debts.  Your friends, the Mr. Pinckneys, have at length undertaken their tour.  My joy at this would be complete if you were in gear with them.  I love to see honest and honorable men at the helm, men who will not bend their politics to their purses, nor pursue measures by which they may profit, and then profit by their measures. Au diable les Bougres! I am at the end of my curse and bottom of my page, so God bless you and yours. Adieu affectionately.

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CCII.—­TO JOHN ADAMS, December 28,1796

Monticello, December 28,1796.

Statement, from memory, of a Letter I wrote to John Adams; copy omitted to be retained.

Dear Sir,