The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 5 (of 9) / Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private

by Thomas Jefferson

TO DANIEL ECCLESTON, ESQUIRE.

Washington, November 21, 1807.

Sir,—I received on the 22d ult. your favor of May 20th, with the medals accompanying it, through the channel of my friend and ancient class-mate, Mr. Manning, of Liverpool. That our own nation should entertain sentiments of gratitude and reverence for the great character who is the subject of your medallion, is a matter of duty. His disinterested and valuable services to them have rendered it so; but such a monument to his memory by the member of another community, proves a zeal for virtue in the abstract, honorable to him who inscribes it, as to him whom it commemorates. In returning you my individual thanks for the one destined for myself, I should perform but a part of my duty were I not to add an assurance that this testimonial in favor of the first worthy of our country will be grateful to the feelings of our citizens generally.

I immediately forwarded the two other medals and the letter to Judge Washington, with a request that he would hand one of them to Chief Justice Marshall. I salute you with great respect.