suspected of wishing to fish out executive secrets. I see too many
proofs of the imperfection of human reason, to entertain wonder or
intolerance at any difference of opinion on any subject; and acquiesce
in that difference as easily as on a difference of feature or form:
experience having long taught me the reasonableness of mutual sacrifices
of opinion among those who are to act together for any common object,
and the expediency of doing what good we can, when we cannot do all we
would wish.

Accept my friendly salutations, and assurances of great esteem and
respect.

Th: Jefferson.




LETTER VIII.--TO MR. GALLATIN, December 13, 1803


THOMAS JEFFERSON TO MR. GALLATIN.

The Attorney General having considered and decided, that the
prescription in the law for establishing a bank, that the officers in
the subordinate offices of discount and deposit, shall be appointed 'on
the same terms and in the same manner practised in the principal bank,'
does not extend to them the principle of rotation, established by the
legislature in the body of directors in the principal bank, it follows
that the extension of that principle has been merely a voluntary and
prudential act of the principal bank, from which they are free to