Our countrymen are so much occupied in the busy scenes of life, that they have little time to write or invent.  A good invention here, therefore, is such a rarity as it is lawful to offer to the acceptance of a friend.  A Mr. Hawkins of Frankford, near Philadelphia, has invented a machine, which he calls a polygraph, and which carries two, three, or four pens.  That of two pens, with which I am now writing, is best; and is so perfect that I have laid aside the copying-press, for a twelvemonth past, and write always with the polygraph.  I have directed one to be made, of which I ask your acceptance.  By what conveyance I shall send it while Havre is blockaded, I do not yet know.  I think you will be pleased with it, and will use it habitually as I do; because it requires only that degree of mechanical attention which I know you to possess.  I am glad to hear that M. Cabanis is engaged in writing on the reformation of medicine.  It needs the hand of a reformer, and cannot be in better hands than his.  Will you permit my respects to him and the Abbe de la Roche to find a place here.

A word now on our political state.  The two parties which prevailed with so much violence when you were here, are almost wholly melted into one.  At the late Presidential election I have received one hundred and sixty-two votes against fourteen only.  Connecticut is still federal by a small majority; and Delaware on a poise, as she has been since 1775, and will be till Anglomany with her yields to Americanism.  Connecticut will be with us in a short time.  Though the people in mass have joined us, their leaders had committed themselves too far to retract.  Pride keeps them hostile; they brood over their angry passions, and give them vent in the newspapers which they maintain.  They still make as much noise as if they were the whole nation.  Unfortunately, these being the mercantile papers, published chiefly in the seaports, are the only ones which find their way to Europe, and make very false impressions there.  I am happy to hear that the late derangement of your health is going off, and that you are reestablished.  I sincerely pray for the continuance of that blessing, and with my affectionate salutations, tender you assurances of great respect and attachment.

Th:  Jefferson.

P. S. The sheets which you receive are those of the copying-pen of the polygraph, not of the one with which I have written.

LETTER XXI.—­TO JUDGE TYLER, March 29, 1805

TO JUDGE TYLER.

Monticello, March 29, 1805.

Dear Sir,

Your favor of the 17th found me on a short visit to this place, and I observe in it with great pleasure a continuance of your approbation of the course we are pursuing, and particularly the satisfaction you express with the last inaugural address.  The first was, from the nature of the case, all profession and promise.  Performance, therefore, seemed to be the proper office of the second.  But the occasion restricted me to mention only the most prominent heads, and the strongest justification of these in the fewest words possible.  The crusade preached against philosophy by the modern disciples of steady habits, induced me to dwell more in showing its effect with the Indians than the subject otherwise justified.