on war, will not be neglected by ministers of ordinary minds.  Their tenure of office is so infirm that they dare not follow the dictates of wisdom, justice, and the well calculated interests of their country.  This vice, in the English constitution, renders a dependance on that government very unsafe.  The feelings of their King, too, fundamentally averse to us, have added another motive for unfriendliness in his ministers.  This obstacle to friendship, however, seems likely to be soon removed; and I verily believe the successor will come in with fairer and wiser dispositions towards us; perhaps on that event their conduct may be changed.  But what England is to become on the crush of her internal structure, now seeming to be begun, I cannot foresee.  Her monied interest, created by her paper system, and now constituting a baseless mass of wealth equal to that of the owners of the soil, must disappear with that system, and the medium for paying great taxes thus failing, her navy must be without support.  That it shall be supported by permitting her to claim dominion of the ocean, and to levy tribute on every flag traversing that, as lately attempted and not yet relinquished, every nation must contest, even ad internecionem.  And yet, that, retiring from this enormity, she should continue able to take a fair share in the necessary equilibrium,of power on that element, would be the desire of every nation.

I feel happy in withdrawing my mind from these anxieties, and resigning myself, for the remnant of life, to the care and guardianship of others.  Good wishes are all an old man has to offer to his country or friends.  Mine attend yourself, with sincere assurances of esteem and respect, which, however, I should be better pleased to tender you in person, should your rambles ever lead you into the vicinage of Monticello.

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER XCIV.—­TO DOCTOR BENJAMIN RUSH, January 16, 1811

TO DOCTOR BENJAMIN RUSH.

Monticello, January 16, 1811.

Dear Sir,

I had been considering for some days, whether it was not time by a letter, to bring myself to your recollection, when I received your welcome favor of the 2nd instant.  I had before heard of the heart-rending calamity you mention, and had sincerely sympathized with your afflictions.  But I had not made it the subject of a letter, because I knew that condolences were but renewals of grief.  Yet I thought, and still think, this is one of the cases wherein we should ’not sorrow, even as others who have no hope.’

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