“The man who by seeking embellishment hazards confusion is greatly mistaken in what constitutes good writing. The meaning ought never to be mistaken. Indeed, the readers should never be obliged to search for it. The writer should always express himself so clearly as to make it impossible to misunderstand him. He should be comprehended without an effort. The first step towards writing and speaking clearly is to think clearly. Let the subject be perfectly understood, and a man will soon find words to convey his meaning to others.”
A letter to James Monroe, dated Richmond, December 2, 1784, was written while Marshall was a member of the House of Delegates. He writes: “Not a bill of public importance, in which an individual was not particularly interested, has passed. The exclusive privilege given to Rumsey and his assigns to build and navigate his new invented boats is of as much, perhaps more, consequence than any other bill we have passed. We have rejected some which, in my conception, would have been advantageous to this country. Among these I rank the bill for encouraging intermarriage with the Indians. Our prejudices, however, oppose themselves to our interests, and operate too powerfully for them.…
“I shewed my father [then, probably, living in Kentucky] that part of your letter which respects the western country. He says he will render you every service of the kind you mention which is within his power with a great deal of pleasure. He says, though, that Mr. Humphrey Marshall, a cousin and brother of mine,[40] is better acquainted with the lands and would be better enabled to choose for your advantage than he would. If, however, you wish rather to depend on my father I presume he may avail himself of the knowledge of his son-in-law. I do not know what to say to your scheme of selling out. If you can execute it you will have made a very capital sum; if you can retain your lands you will be poor during life unless you remove to the western country, but you will have secured for posterity an immense fortune. I should prefer the selling business, and if you adopt it I think you have fixed on a very proper price.
“Adieu. May you be very happy is the wish of your
J. Marshall.”
In another letter to Monroe, while the latter was Madison’s Secretary of State, dated Richmond, June 25, 1812, just as the war was beginning, he says:—
“On my return to-day from my farm, where I pass a considerable portion of my time in laborious relaxation, I found a copy of the message of the President, of the 1st inst., accompanied by the report of the Committee of Foreign Relations and the declaration of war against Britain, under cover from you.
“Permit me to subjoin to my thanks for this mark of your attention my fervent wish that this momentous measure may, in its operation on the interest and honor of our country, disappoint only its enemies.
“Whether my prayer be heard or not, I shall remain with respectful esteem,
“Your obedient servant,
“J. Marshall.”