I learn, with real sorrow, the deaths of Monsieur and Madame de Tesse.  They made an interesting part in the idle reveries in which I have sometimes indulged myself, of seeing all my friends of Paris once more, for a month or two; a thing impossible, which, however, I never permitted myself to despair of.  The regrets, however, of seventy-three at the loss of friends, may be the less, as the time is shorter within which we are to meet again, according to the creed of our education.

This letter will be handed you by Mr. Ticknor, a young gentleman of Boston, of great erudition, indefatigable industry, and preparation for a life of distinction, in his own country.  He passed a few days with me here, brought high recommendations from Mr. Adams and others, and appeared in every respect to merit them.  He is well worthy of those attentions which you so kindly bestow on our countrymen, and for those he may receive I shall join him in acknowledging personal obligations.

I salute you with assurances of my constant and affectionate friendship and respect.

Th; Jefferson.

P.S.  February 26.  My letter had not yet been sealed, when I received news of our peace.  I am glad of it, and especially that we closed our war with the eclat of the action at New Orleans.  But I consider it as an armistice only, because no security is provided against the impressment of our seamen.  While this is unsettled we are in hostility of mind with England, although actual deeds of arms may be suspended by a truce.  If she thinks the exercise of this outrage is worth eternal war, eternal war it must be, or extermination of the one or the other party.  The first act of impressment she commits on an American, will be answered by reprisal, or by a declaration of war here; and the interval must be merely a state of preparation for it.  In this we have much to do, in further fortifying our seaport towns, providing military stores, classing and disciplining our militia, arranging our financial, system, and above all, pushing our domestic manufactures, which have taken such root as never again can be shaken.  Once more, God bless you.  T.J.

LETTER CXXII.*—­TO MR. WENDOVER, March 13, 1815

TO MR. WENDOVER.

Monticello, March 13, 1815.

     [* This is endorsed;’ not sent.’]

Sir,

Your favor of January the 30th was received after long delay on the road, and I have to thank you for the volume of Discourses which you have been so kind as to send me.  I have gone over them with great satisfaction, and concur with the able preacher in his estimate of the character of the belligerents in our late war, and lawfulness of defensive war.  I consider the war, with him, as ‘made on good advice,’ that is, for just causes, and its dispensation as providential, inasmuch, as it has exercised our patriotism and submission to order, has planted and