but the effect has been most unfortunately otherwise.  A little knowledge of human nature, and attention to its ordinary workings, might have foreseen that the spirits of the people here were in a state, in which they were more likely to be provoked, than frightened, by haughty deportment.  And to fill up the measure of irritation, a proscription of individuals has been substituted in the room of just trial.  Can it be believed, that a grateful people will suffer those to be consigned to execution, whose sole crime has been the developing and asserting their rights?  Had the Parliament possessed the power of reflection, they would have avoided a measure as impotent, as it was inflammatory.  When I saw Lord Chatham’s bill, I entertained high hope that a reconciliation could have been brought about.  The difference between his terms, and those offered by our Congress, might have been accommodated, if entered on, by both parties, with a disposition to accommodate.  But the dignity of Parliament, it seems, can brook no opposition to its power.  Strange, that a set of men, who have made sale of their virtue to the minister, should yet talk of retaining dignity.  But I am getting into politics, though I sat down only to ask your acceptance of the wine:  and express my constant wishes for your happiness.

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER II.—­TO JOHN RANDOLPH, August 25,1775

TO JOHN RANDOLPH, ESQ.,

Monticello,

August 25,1775.

Dear Sir,

I am sorry the situation of our country should render it not eligible to you to remain longer in it.  I hope the returning wisdom of Great Britain will, ere long, put an end to this unnatural contest.  There may be people to whose tempers and dispositions contention is pleasing, and who, therefore, wish a continuance of confusion; but to me it is of all states but one, the most horrid:  My first wish is a restoration of our just rights; my second, a return of the happy period, when, consistently with duty, I may withdraw myself totally from the public stage, and pass the rest of my days in domestic ease and tranquillity, banishing every desire of ever hearing what passes in the world.  Perhaps, (for the latter adds considerably to the warmth of the former wish,) looking with fondness towards a reconciliation with Great Britain, I cannot help hoping you may be able to contribute towards expediting this good work.  I think it must be evident to yourself, that the Ministry have been deceived by their officers on this side of the water, who (for what purpose, I cannot tell) have constantly represented the American opposition as that of a small faction, in which the body of the people took little part.  This, you can inform them, of your own knowledge, is untrue.  They have taken it into their heads, too, that we are cowards, and shall surrender at discretion to an armed force.  The past and future operations