These are all the recollections within the scope of your request, which I can state with precision and certainty; and of these you are free to make what use you think proper in the new edition of your father's work; and with which I pray you to accept the assurances of my great esteem and respect.

TO MR. WEIGHTMAN.

Monticello, June 24, 1826.

Respected Sir,—The kind invitation I receive from you, on the part of the citizens of the city of Washington, to be present with them at their celebration on the fiftieth anniversary of American Independence, as one of the surviving signers of an instrument pregnant with our own, and the fate of the world, is most flattering to myself, and heightened by the honorable accompaniment proposed for the comfort of such a journey. It adds sensibly to the sufferings of sickness, to be deprived by it of a personal participation in the rejoicings of that day. But acquiescence is a duty, under circumstances not placed among those we are permitted to control. I should, indeed, with peculiar delight, have met and exchanged there congratulations personally with the small band, the remnant of that host of worthies, who joined with us on that day, in the bold and doubtful election we were to make for our country, between submission or the sword; and to have enjoyed with them the consolatory fact, that our fellow citizens, after half a century of experience and prosperity, continue to approve the choice we made. May it be to the world, what I believe it will be, (to some parts sooner, to others later, but finally to all,) the signal of arousing men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the blessings and security of self-government. That form which we have substituted, restores the free right to the unbounded exercise of reason and freedom of opinion. All eyes are opened, or opening, to the rights of man. The general spread of the light of science has already laid open to every view the palpable truth, that the mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them legitimately, by the grace of God. These are grounds of hope for others. For ourselves, let the annual return of this day forever refresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to them.

I will ask permission here to express the pleasure with which I should have met my ancient neighbors of the city of Washington and its vicinities, with whom I passed so many years of a pleasing social intercourse; an intercourse which so much relieved the anxieties of the public cares, and left impressions so deeply engraved in my affections, as never to be forgotten. With my regret that ill health forbids me the gratification of an acceptance, be pleased to receive for yourself, and those for whom you write, the assurance of my highest respect and friendly attachments.

BOOK III.
OFFICIAL PAPERS

PART I.—REPORTS AND OPINIONS WHILE SECRETARY OF STATE.
PART II.—INAUGURAL ADDRESSES AND MESSAGES.
PART III.—REPLIES TO PUBLIC ADDRESSES.
PART IV.—INDIAN ADDRESSES.

INTRODUCTORY TO BOOK III.

This division of the work embraces all the important official papers of Thomas Jefferson, from the time at which he entered upon the duties of the Secretaryship of State to the end of his Presidential term, with the exception of his official letters, a part of which will be found printed in Book II., devoted to his general correspondence, both official and private. It being the wish of the Library committee, under whose supervision this work has been prepared, that it should be compressed within as few volumes as was consistent with justice to the reputation of the author, and the great body of Mr. Jefferson's official letters having been already published among the American State Papers and Sparks' Diplomatic Correspondence, the most interesting and valuable only have been selected for re-publication in this work, as specimens of the author's manner in the preparation of such papers. All omitted here will be found in the publications just referred to.