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best ploughs； they thought it would be a benefit to mankind to
communicate it。 They accordingly sent one to me； with a view to its
being made known here； and they sent one to the Duke of Bedford also；
who is one of their members； to be made use of for England； although
the two nations were then at war。 By the Mentor； now going to
France； I have given permission to two individuals in Delaware and
New York； to import two parcels of Merino sheep from France； which
they have procured there； and to some gentlemen in Boston； to import
a very valuable machine which spins cotton； wool and flax equally。
The last spring； the Society informed me they were cultivating the
cotton of the Levant and other parts of the Mediterranean； and wished
to try also that of our southern States。 I immediately got a friend
to have two tierces of seed forwarded to me。 They were consigned to
Messrs。 Falls and Brown of Baltimore； and notice of it being given
me； I immediately wrote to them to re…ship them to New York； to be
sent by the Mentor。 Their first object was to make a show of my
letter； as something very criminal； and to carry the subject into the
newspapers。 I had； on a like request； some time ago； （but before the
embargo） from the President of the Board of Agriculture of London； of
which I am also a member； to send them some of the genuine May wheat
of Virginia； forwarded to them two or three barrels of it。 General
Washington； in his time； received from the same Society the seed of
the perennial succory； which Arthur Young had carried over from
France to England； and I have since received from a member of it the
seed of the famous turnip of Sweden； now so well known here。 I
mention these things； to shew the nature of the correspondence which
is carried on between societies instituted for the benevolent purpose
of communicating to all parts of the world whatever useful is
discovered in any one of them。 These societies are always in peace；
however their nations may be at war。 Like the republic of letters；
they form a great fraternity spreading over the whole earth； and
their correspondence is never interrupted by any civilized nation。
Vaccination has been a late and remarkable instance of the liberal
diffusion of a blessing newly discovered。 It is really painful； it
is mortifying； to be obliged to note these things； which are known to
every one who knows any thing； and felt with approbation by every one
who has any feeling。 But we have a faction to whose hostile passions
the torture even of right into wrong is a delicious gratification。
Their malice I have long learned to disregard； their censure to deem
praise。 But I observe； that some republicans are not satisfied （even
while we are receiving liberally from others） that this small return
should be made。 They will think more justly at another day： but in
the mean time； I wish to avoid offence。 My prayer to you； therefore；
is； that you will be so good； under the inclosed order； as to receive
these two tierces of seed from Falls and Brown； and pay them their
disbursements for freight； &c。 which I will immediately remit you on
knowing the amount。 Of the seed； when received； be so good as to
make manure for your garden。 When rotted with a due mixture of
stable manure or earth； it is the best in the world。 I rely on your
friendship to excuse this trouble； it being necessary I should not
commit myself again to persons of whose honor； or the want of it； I
know nothing。
Accept the assurances of my constant esteem and respect。
THE NEGRO RACE
_To Henri Gregoire_
_Washington； February 25； 1809_
SIR； I have received the favor of your letter of August
17th； and with it the volume you were so kind as to send me on the
〃Literature of Negroes。〃 Be assured that no person living wishes more
sincerely than I do； to see a complete refutation of the doubts I
have myself entertained and expressed on the grade of understanding
allotted to them by nature； and to find that in this respect they are
on a par with ourselves。 My doubts were the result of personal
observation on the limited sphere of my own State； where the
opportunities for the development of their genius were not favorable；
and those of exercising it still less so。 I expressed them therefore
with great hesitation； but whatever be their degree of talent it is
no measure of their rights。 Because Sir Isaac Newton was superior to
others in understanding； he was not therefore lord of the person or
property of others。 On this subject they are gaining daily in the
opinions of nations； and hopeful advances are making towards their
re…establishment on an equal footing with the other colors of the
human family。 I pray you therefore to accept my thanks for the many
instances you have enabled me to observe of respectable intelligence
in that race of men； which cannot fail to have effect in hastening
the day of their relief； and to be assured of the sentiments of high
and just esteem and consideration which I tender to yourself with all
sincerity。
〃A PRISONER； RELEASED FROM HIS CHAINS〃
_To P。 S。 Dupont de Nemours_
_Washington； March 2； 1809_
DEAR SIR； My last to you was of May the 2nd； since which I
have received yours of May the 25th； June the 1st； July the 23rd；
24th； and September the 5th； and distributed the two pamphlets
according to your desire。 They are read with the delight which every
thing from your pen gives。
After using every effort which could prevent or delay our being
entangled in the war of Europe； that seems now our only resource。
The edicts of the two belligerents； forbidding us to be seen on the
ocean； we met by an embargo。 This gave us time to call home our
seamen； ships and property； to levy men and put our sea ports into a
certain state of defence。 We have now taken off the embargo； except
as to France and England and their territories； because fifty
millions of exports； annually sacrificed； are the treble of what war
would cost us； besides； that by war we should take something； and
lose less than at present。 But to give you a true description of the
state of things here； I must refer you to Mr。 Coles； the bearer of
this； my secretary； a most worthy； intelligent and well informed
young man； whom I recommend to your notice； and conversation on our
affairs。 His discretion and fidelity may be relied on。 I expect he
will find you with Spain at your feet； but England still afloat； and
a barrier to the Spanish colonies。 But all these concerns I am now
leaving to be settled by my friend Mr。 Madison。 Within a few days I
retire to my family； my books and farms； and having gained the harbor
myself； I shall look on my friends still buffeting the storm； with
anxiety indeed； but not with envy。 Never did a prisoner； released
from his chains； feel such relief as I shall on shaking off the
shackles of power。 Nature intended me for the tranquil pursuits of
science； by rendering them my supreme delight。 But the enormities of
the times in which I have lived； have forced me to take a part in
resisting them； and to commit myself on the boisterous ocean of
political passions。 I thank God for the opportunity of retiring from
them without censure； and carrying with me the most consoling proofs
of public approbation。 I leave every thing in the hands of men so
able to take care of them； that if we are destined to meet
misfortunes； it will be because no human wisdom could avert them。
Should you return to the United States； perhaps your curiosity may
lead you to visit the hermit of Monticello。 He will receive you with
affection and delight； hailing you in the mean time with his
affectionate salutations； and assurances of constant esteem and
respect。
P。S。 If you return to us； bring a couple of pair of true…bred
shepherd's dogs。 You will add a valuable possession to a country now
beginning to pay great attention to the raising sheep。
A PARTING BLESSING
_To Mrs。 Samuel H。 Smith_
_Washington； Mar。 6； 1809_
Th： Jefferson presents his respectful salutations to mrs。
Smith； and sends her the Geranium she expressed a willingness to
receive。 it is in very bad condition； having been neglected latterly；
as not intended to be removed。 he cannot give it his parting blessing
more effectually than by consigning it to the nourishing hand of mrs。
Smith。 If plants have sensibility； as the analogy of their
organisation with ours seems to indicate； it cannot but be proudly
sensible of her fostering attentions。 of his regrets at parting with
the society of Washington； a very sensible portion attaches to mrs。
Smith； whose friendship he has particularly valued。 her promise to
visit Monticello is some consolation； and he can assure her she will
be received wit