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 THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

Monticello, September 5, 1808.

Dear Sir,—The last post brought me the counter addresses now enclosed. That from Ipswich is signed by about forty persons; the town meeting which voted the petition consisted of thirty. There are 500 voters in the place. The counter address of Boston has 700 signatures. The town meeting voting the petition is said to have consisted of 500. In the draught of an answer enclosed, I have taken the occasion of making some supplementary observations which could not with propriety have been inserted in the answers to the petitions. The object is that the two together may present to our own people the strongest points in favor of the embargo in a short and clear view. An eye is also kept on foreign nations, in some of the observations. Be so good as to make it what it should be, and return it by the first post. * * * * *

I salute you with constant and sincere affection.