and if her late humiliation can just give her modesty enough to suppose that her southern brethren are somewhat on a par with her in wisdom, in information, in patriotism, in bravery, and even in honesty, although not in psalm-singing, she will more justly estimate her own relative momentum in the Union.  With her ancient principles, she would really be great, if she did not think herself the whole.  I should be pleased to hear that you go into her councils, and assist in bringing her back to those principles, and to a sober satisfaction with her proportionable share in the direction of our affairs.

Be so good as to lay my homage at the feet of Mrs. Dearborn, and to be assured that I am ever and affectionately yours.

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CXXV.—­TO THE PRESIDENT, March 23,1815

TO THE PRESIDENT.

Monticello, March 23,1815.

Deak Sir,

I duly received your favor of the 12th, and with it the pamphlet on the causes and conduct of the war, which I now return.  I have read it with great pleasure, but with irresistible desire that it should be published.  The reasons in favor of this are strong, and those against it are so easily gotten over, that there appears to me no balance between them. 1.  We need it in Europe.  They have totally mistaken our character.  Accustomed to rise at a feather themselves, and to be always fighting, they will see in our conduct, fairly stated, that acquiescence under wrong, to a certain degree, is wisdom, and not pusillanimity; and that peace and happiness are preferable to that false honor, which, by eternal wars, keeps their people in eternal labor, want, and wretchedness. 2.  It is necessary for the people of England, who have been deceived as to the causes and conduct of the war, and do not entertain a doubt, that it was entirely wanton and wicked on our part, and under the order of Bonaparte.  By rectifying their ideas, it will tend to that conciliation which is absolutely necessary to the peace and prosperity of both nations. 3.  It is necessary for our own people, who, although they have known the details as they went along, yet have been so plied with false facts and false views by; the federalists, that some impression has been left that all has not been right.  It may be said that it will be thought unfriendly.  But truths necessary for our own character, must not be suppressed out of tenderness to its calumniators.  Although written, generally, with great moderation, there may be some things in the pamphlet which may perhaps irritate.  The characterizing every act, for example, by its appropriate epithet, is not necessary to show its deformity to an intelligent reader.  The naked narrative will present it truly to his mind, and the more strongly, from its moderation, as he will perceive that no exaggeration is aimed at.  Rubbing down these roughnesses (and they are neither many nor prominent),