I promised you a letter on Christianity, which I have not forgotten.  On the contrary, it is because I have reflected on it, that I find much more time necessary for it than I can at present dispose of.  I have a view of the subject which ought to displease neither the rational Christian nor Deist, and would reconcile many to a character they have too hastily rejected.  I do not know that it would reconcile the genus irritabile vatum, who are all in arms against me.  Their hostility is on too interesting ground to be softened.  The delusion into which the X. Y. Z. plot showed it possible to push the people; the successful experiment made under the prevalence of that delusion on the clause of the constitution, which, while it secured the freedom of the press, covered also the freedom of religion, had given to the clergy a very favorite hope of obtaining an establishment of a particular form of Christianity through the United States; and as every sect believes its own form the true one, every one perhaps hoped for his own, but especially the Episcopalians and Congregationalists.  The returning good sense of our country threatens abortion to their hopes, and they believe that any portion of power confided to me, will be exerted in opposition to their schemes.  And they believe rightly:  for I have sworn, upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.  But this is all they have to fear from me:  and enough too in their opinion.  And this is the cause of their printing lying pamphlets against me, forging conversations for me with Mazzei, Bishop Madison, &c. which are absolute falsehoods without a circumstance of truth to rest on; falsehoods, too, of which I acquit Mazzei and Bishop Madison, for they are men of truth.

But enough of this:  it is more than I have before committed to paper on the subject of all the lies which have been preached and printed against me.  I have not seen the work of Sonnini which you mention, but I have seen another work on Africa, Park’s, which I fear will throw cold-water on the hopes of the friends of freedom.  You will hear an account of an attempt at insurrection in this state.  I am looking with anxiety to see what will be its effect on our State.  We are truly to be pitied.  I fear we have little chance to see you at the federal city or in Virginia, and as little at Philadelphia.  It would be a great treat to receive you here.  But nothing but sickness could effect that; so I do not wish it.  For I wish you health and happiness, and think of you with affection.  Adieu.

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER, CCLXIII.—­TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON, December 14, 1800

TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Washington, December 14, 1800.

Dear Sir,