The Correspondence of Thomas Jefferson
By Subject
MORAL PRINCIPLES / AND POLITICAL ECONOMY
Your favor of February 14th has been duly received, and the MS. of
the commentary on Montesquieu is also safe at hand. I now forward to
you the work of Tracy, which you will find a valuable supplement and
corrective to those we already possess on political economy. It is a
little unlucky that its outset is of a metaphysical character, which
may damp the ardor of perusal in some readers. He has been led to this
by a desire to embody this work, as well as a future one he is
preparing on morals, with his former treatise on Ideology. By-the-bye,
it is merely to this work that Bonaparte alludes in his answer to his
Council of State, published not long since, in which he scouts "the
dark and metaphysical doctrine of Ideology, which, diving into first
causes, founds on this basis a legislation of the people, etc."
If, indeed, this answer be not a forgery, for everything is now
forged, even to the fat of our beef and mutton: yet the speech is not
unlike him, and affords scope for an excellent parody
made
known. But the book will make its way, and will become a standard
work. A copy which I sent to France was under translation by one of
the ablest men of that country.
It is true that I am tired of practical politics, and happier while
reading the history of ancient than of modern times. The total
banishment of all moral principle from the code which governs the
intercourse of nations, the melancholy reflection that after the mean,
wicked and cowardly cunning of the cabinets of the age of Machiavelli
had given place to the integrity and good faith which dignified the
succeeding one of a Chatham and Turgot, that this is to be swept away
again by the daring profligacy and vowed destitution of all moral
principle of a Cartouche and a Black-beard, sickens my soul unto
death. I turn from the contemplation with loathing, and take refuge in
the histories of other times, where, if they also furnish their
Tacquins, their Catilines and Caligulas, their stories are handed to
us under the brand of a Livy, a Sallust and a Tacitus, and we are
comforted with the reflection that the condemnation of all succeeding
generations has confirmed the censures of the historian, and consigned
their memories to everlasting infamy, a solace we cannot have with the
Georges and Napoleons but by anticipation.
In surveying the scenes of which we make a part, I confess that three
frigates taken by our gallant little navy, do not balance in my mind
three armies lost by the treachery, cowardice, or incapacity of those
to whom they were intrusted. I see that our men are good, and only
want generals. We may yet hope, however, that the talents which always
exist among men will show themselves with opportunity, and that it
will be found that this age also can produce able and honest defenders
of their country, at what further expense, however, of blood and
treasure, is yet to be seen. Perhaps this Russian mediation may cut
short the history of the present war, and leave to us the laurels of
the sea, while our enemies are bedecked with those of the land This
would be the reverse of what has been expected, and perhaps of what
was to. be wished.
to William Duane (Colonel), 4 April 1813
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