I am thankful for your kind offer of sending the original Spanish for my perusal.  But I think it a pity to trust it to the accidents of the post, and whenever you publish the translation, I shall be satisfied to read that which shall be given by your translator, who is, I am sure, a greater adept in the language than I am.

Accept the assurances of my great esteem and respect.

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER LXXXIV.—­TO DON VALENTINE DE FORONDA, October 4, 1809

TO DON VALENTINE DE FORONDA.

Monticello, October 4, 1809.

Dear Sir,

Your favor of August the 26th came to hand in the succeeding month, and have now to thank you for the pamphlet it contained.  I have read it with pleasure, and find the constitution proposed would probably be as free as is consistent with hereditary institutions.  It has one feature which I like much; that which provides that when the three co-ordinate branches differ in their construction of the constitution, the opinion of two branches shall overrule the third.  Our constitution has not sufficiently solved this difficulty.

Among the multitude of characters with which public office leads us to official intercourse, we cannot fail to observe many, whose personal worth marks them as objects of particular esteem, whom we would wish to select for our society in private life.  I avail myself gladly of the present occasion, of assuring you that I was peculiarly impressed with your merit and talents, and that I have ever entertained for them a particular respect.  To those whose views are single and direct, it is a great comfort to have to do business with frank and honorable minds.  And here give me leave to make an avowal, for which, in my present retirement, there can be no motive but a regard for truth.  Your predecessor, soured on a question of etiquette against the administration of this country, wished to impute wrong to them in all their actions, even where he did not believe it himself.  In this spirit, he wished it to be believed that we were in unjustifiable co-operation in Miranda’s expedition.  I solemnly, and on my personal truth and honor, declare to you, that this was entirely without foundation, and that there was neither co-operation nor connivance on our part.  He informed us he was about to attempt the liberation of his native country from bondage, and intimated a hope of our aid, or connivance at least.  He was at once informed, that, although we had great cause of complaint against Spain, and even of war, yet whenever we should think proper to act as her enemy, it should be openly and above board, and that our hostility should never be exercised by such petty means.  We had no suspicion that he expected to engage men here, but merely to purchase military stores.  Against this there was no law, nor consequently any authority for us to interpose obstacles.  On the other hand, we deemed