that such perverseness will not be that of the honest and well meaning mass of the federalists of Massachusetts; and that when the questions of separation and rebellion shall be nakedly proposed to them, the Gores and the Pickerings will find their levees crowded with silk-stocking gentry, but no yeomanry; an army of officers without soldiers.  I hope, then, all will still end well:  the Anglomen will consent to make peace with their bread and butter, and you and I shall sink to rest, without having been actors or spectators in another civil war.

How many children have you?  You beat me, I expect, in that count; but I you in that of our grand-children.  We have not timed these things well together, or we might have begun a re-alliance between Massachusetts and the Old Dominion, faithful companions in the war of Independence, peculiarly tallied in interests, by each wanting exactly what the other has to spare; and estranged to each other, in latter times, only by the practices of a third nation, the common enemy of both.  Let us live only to see this re-union, and I will say with old Simeon, ’Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.’  In that peace may you long remain, my friend, and depart only in the fulness of years, all passed in health and prosperity.  God bless you.

Th:  Jefferson.

P.S.  June 13.  I did not condole with you on the reprobation of your opponents, because it proved your orthodoxy.  Yesterday’s post brought me the resolution of the republicans of Congress, to propose you as Vice-President.  On this I sincerely congratulate you.  It is a stamp of double proof.  It is a notification to the factionaries that their nay is the yea of truth, and its best test.  We shall be almost within striking distance of each other.  Who knows but you may fill up some short recess of Congress with a visit to Monticello, where a numerous family will hail you with a hearty country welcome.  T.J.

LETTER CIV.—­TO JUDGE TYLER, June 17,1812

TO JUDGE TYLER.

Monticello, June 17,1812.

Dear Sir,

*****

On the other subject of your letter, the application of the common law to our present situation, I deride with you the ordinary doctrine, that we brought with us from England the common law rights.  This narrow notion was a favorite in the first moment of rallying to our rights against Great Britain.  But it was that of men who felt their rights before they had thought of their explanation.  The truth is, that we brought with us the rights of men; of expatriated men.  On our arrival here, the question would at once arise, by what law will we govern ourselves?  The resolution seems to have been, by that system with which we are familiar, to be altered by ourselves occasionally, and adapted to our new situation.  The proofs of this resolution are to be found in the