LETTER VII.--TO JOHN RANDOLH, December 1, 1803

TO JOHN RANDOLH.

Washington, December 1, 1803.

Dear Sir,

The explanations in your letter of yesterday were quite unnecessary to
me. I have had too satisfactory proofs of your friendly regard, to be
disposed to suspect any thing of a contrary aspect.

I understood perfectly the expressions stated in the newspaper to
which you allude, to mean, that 'though the proposition came from the
republican quarter of the House, yet you should not concur with it.' I
am aware, that in parts of the Union, and even with persons to whom Mr.
Eppes and Mr. Randolph are unknown, and myself little known, it will be
presumed from their connection, that what comes from them comes from me.
No men on earth are more independent in their sentiments than they are,
nor any one less disposed than I am to influence the opinions of others.
We rarely speak of politics, or of the proceedings of the House, but
merely historically; and I carefully avoid expressing an opinion on them
in their presence, that we may all be at our ease. With other members, I
have believed that more unreserved communications would be advantageous
to the public. This has been, perhaps, prevented by mutual delicacy. I
have been afraid to express opinions unasked, lest I should be suspected
of wishing to direct the legislative action of members. They have
avoided asking communications from me, probably, lest they should be