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changed in that time； that details respecting those who compose it
are no longer interesting or intelligible to you。 One source of
great change in social intercourse arose while you were with us； tho'
it's effects were as yet scarcely sensible on society or government。
I mean the British treaty； which produced a schism that went on
widening and rankling till the years '98； '99； when a final
dissolution of all bonds； civil & social； appeared imminent。 In that
awful crisis； the people awaked from the phrenzy into which they had
been thrown； began to return to their sober and ancient principles； &
have now become five…sixths of one sentiment； to wit； for peace；
economy； and a government bottomed on popular election in its
legislative & executive branches。 In the public counsels the federal
party hold still one…third。 This； however； will lessen； but not
exactly to the standard of the people； because it will be forever
seen that of bodies of men even elected by the people； there will
always be a greater proportion aristocratic than among their
constituents。 The present administration had a task imposed on it
which was unavoidable； and could not fail to exert the bitterest
hostility in those opposed to it。 The preceding administration left
99。 out of every hundred in public offices of the federal sect。
Republicanism had been the mark on Cain which had rendered those who
bore it exiles from all portion in the trusts & authorities of their
country。 This description of citizens called imperiously & justly
for a restoration of right。 It was intended； however； to have
yielded to this in so moderate a degree as might conciliate those who
had obtained exclusive possession； but as soon as they were touched；
they endeavored to set fire to the four corners of the public fabric；
and obliged us to deprive of the influence of office several who were
using it with activity and vigilance to destroy the confidence of the
people in their government； and thus to proceed in the drudgery of
removal farther than would have been； had not their own hostile
enterprises rendered it necessary in self…defence。 But I think it
will not be long before the whole nation will be consolidated in
their ancient principles； excepting a few who have committed
themselves beyond recall； and who will retire to obscurity & settled
disaffection。
Altho' you will receive； thro' the official channel of the War
Office； every communication necessary to develop to you our views
respecting the Indians； and to direct your conduct； yet； supposing it
will be satisfactory to you； and to those with whom you are placed；
to understand my personal dispositions and opinions in this
particular； I shall avail myself of this private letter to state them
generally。 I consider the business of hunting as already become
insufficient to furnish clothing and subsistence to the Indians。 The
promotion of agriculture； therefore； and household manufacture； are
essential in their preservation； and I am disposed to aid and
encourage it liberally。 This will enable them to live on much
smaller portions of land； and indeed will render their vast forests
useless but for the range of cattle； for which purpose； also； as they
become better farmers； they will be found useless； and even
disadvantageous。 While they are learning to do better on less land；
our increasing numbers will be calling for more land； and thus a
coincidence of interests will be produced between those who have
lands to spare； and want other necessaries； and those who have such
necessaries to spare； and want lands。 This commerce； then； will be
for the good of both； and those who are friends to both ought to
encourage it。 You are in the station peculiarly charged with this
interchange； and who have it peculiarly in your power to promote
among the Indians a sense of the superior value of a little land；
well cultivated； over a great deal； unimproved； and to encourage them
to make this estimate truly。 The wisdom of the animal which
amputates & abandons to the hunter the parts for which he is pursued
should be theirs； with this difference； that the former sacrifices
what is useful； the latter what is not。 In truth； the ultimate point
of rest & happiness for them is to let our settlements and theirs
meet and blend together； to intermix； and become one people。
Incorporating themselves with us as citizens of the U。S。； this is
what the natural progress of things will of course bring on； and it
will be better to promote than to retard it。 Surely it will be
better for them to be identified with us； and preserved in the
occupation of their lands； than be exposed to the many casualties
which may endanger them while a separate people。 I have little doubt
but that your reflections must have led you to view the various ways
in which their history may terminate； and to see that this is the one
most for their happiness。 And we have already had an application
from a settlement of Indians to become citizens of the U。S。 It is
possible； perhaps probable； that this idea may be so novel as that it
might shock the Indians； were it even hinted to them。 Of course； you
will keep it for your own reflection； but； convinced of its
soundness； I feel it consistent with pure morality to lead them
towards it； to familiarize them to the idea that it is for their
interest to cede lands at times to the U S； and for us thus to
procure gratifications to our citizens； from time to time； by new
acquisitions of land。 From no quarter is there at present so strong
a pressure on this subject as from Georgia for the residue of the
fork of Oconee & Ockmulgee； and indeed I believe it will be difficult
to resist it。 As it has been mentioned that the Creeks had at one
time made up their minds to sell this； and were only checked in it by
some indiscretions of an individual； I am in hopes you will be able
to bring them to it again。 I beseech you to use your most earnest
endeavors； for it will relieve us here from a great pressure； and
yourself from the unreasonable suspicions of the Georgians which you
notice； that you are more attached to the interests of the Indians
than of the U S； and throw cold water on their willingness to part
with lands。 It is so easy to excite suspicion； that none are to be
wondered at； but I am in hopes it will be in your power to quash them
by effecting the object。
Mr。 Madison enjoys better health since his removal to this
place than he had done in Orange。 Mr。 Giles is in a state of health
feared to be irrecoverable； although he may hold on for some time；
and perhaps be re…established。 Browze Trist is now in the
Mississippi territory； forming an establishment for his family； which
is still in Albemarle； and will remove to the Mississippi in the
spring。 Mrs。 Trist； his mother； begins to yield a little to time。 I
retain myself very perfect health； having not had 20。 hours of fever
in 42 years past。 I have sometimes had a troublesome headache； and
some slight rheumatic pains； but now sixty years old nearly； I have
had as little to complain of in point of health as most people。 I
learn you have the gout。 I did not expect that Indian cookery or
Indian fare would produce that； but it is considered as a security
for good health otherwise。 That it may be so with you； I sincerely
pray； and tender you my friendly and respectful salutations。
MACHIAVELLIAN BENEVOLENCE AND THE INDIANS
_To Governor William H。 Harrison_
_Washington； February 27； 1803_
DEAR SIR； While at Monticello in August last I received your
favor of August 8th； and meant to have acknowledged it on my return
to the seat of government at the close of the ensuing month； but on
my return I found that you were expected to be on here in person； and
this expectation continued till winter。 I have since received your
favor of December 30th。
In the former you mentioned the plan of the town which you had
done me the honor to name after me； and to lay out according to an
idea I had formerly expressed to you。 I am thoroughly persuaded that
it will be found handsome and pleasant； and I do believe it to be the
best means of preserving the cities of America from the scourge of
the yellow fever； which being peculiar to our country； must be
derived from some peculiarity in it。 That peculiarity I take to be
our cloudless skies。 In Europe； where the sun does not shine more
than half the number of days in the year which it does in America；
they can build their town in a solid block with impunity； buthere a
constant sun produces too great an accumulation ofheat to admit that。
Ventilation is indispensably necessary。 Experience has taught us
that in the open air of the country the yellow fever is not only not
generated；but ceases to be infectious。 I cannot decidefrom the
drawing you sent me； whether you havelaid