“ esteemed friend, the father, on the satisfaction he must have recieved from a specimen of talent so interesting to him, and yourselves and our common country on the future benefits it promises us. while sentiments like these are felt and approved by americans the ark of our freedom rests in safety. may countless anniversaries continue to witness their prevalence. accept my thanks for this mark of kind attention . . . ”

Henry Wheaton sent this pamphlet to Jefferson, with a letter dated from Providence August 20, 1810: “I take the liberty of enclosing to you an Essay on the history & means of preserving that independence you so greatly contributed to acquire; and humbly hope that however great may be the imperfections your eye will discern in the composition, that you will pardon them for the sake of the sincere attachment to those principles which made us free, the merit of which I may justly claim. It is your glory, Sir, to have adhered to those principles in a degenerate age; & I may therefore presume upon your approbation of every effort, however feeble, to recall back our countrymen to their first faith. That you may long enjoy the blessings you have procured for all your fellow citizens is the sincere prayer of Sir, Your obedient, humble servant.”

Jefferson replied from Monticello in [ sic -- Ed. ] September 29: “ Th: Jefferson presents his compliments and his thanks to m( ^~ r) Wheaton for the pamphlet he was so kind as to send him, and which he has read with pleasure. he rejoices over every publication wherein such sentiments are expressed. while these prevail, all is safe, and he believes they will prevail through many and many ages. he is particularly thankful for the obliging expressions in m ( ^~ r) Wheaton’s letter, and prays him to accept the assurances of his great respect.”

Henry Wheaton, 1785-1848, jurist and diplomat, was a native of Providence. On June 23, 1812, he wrote to Jefferson that “Having been informed by Judge Story of the Supreme Court, that you had caused to be printed for circulation among your friends the Breif which you had prepared for the use of your counsel in the case of Edward Livingston concerning the Batture at New Orleans, I am induced to request a copy for my own private use. Although I have not the honour to rank among your friends yet the sincere respect and veneration which I bear for your talents and services, and my enthusiasm in the science of jurisprudence, must form my apology for making this request should you deem it improper to grant it . . .”

Jefferson replied on July 25: “ Of the pamphlets on the claim of Edward Livingston to the Batture at New Orleans I have but a single copy left. I had printed on my own account a copy for every member of Congress which was accordingly laid on the desk of each, and about 70. others which I distributed among my friends and others to whom I thought they might be acceptable: so that I have but the single one left which I reserved for myself. the printer, m ( ^~ r) Sargeant of N. York was not restrained from printing any Extra number he might chuse. possibly therefore a copy might be got from him. as it was meant as a public justification of the conduct of the Executive in that case, no copy right was given to any body. with my regret at my inability to fulfil your request the assurance of my respect. ”