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numerous； but in perfect preservation。 This was to await
publication； until corrected by the calculations of longitude and
latitude。 I examined these sheets myself minutely； as spread on the
floor； and the originals must be in existence； as the Map published
with his travels must have been taken from them。
These constitute the whole。 They are the property of the
government； the fruits of the expedition undertaken at such expense
of money and risk of valuable lives。 They contain exactly the whole
of the information which it was our object to obtain for the benefit
of our own country and of the world。 But we were willing to give to
Lewis and Clarke whatever pecuniary benefits might be derived from
the publication； and therefore left the papers in their hands； taking
for granted that their interests would produce a speedy publication；
which would be better if done under their direction。 But the death
of Capt。 Lewis； the distance and occupations of General Clarke； and
the bankruptcy of their bookseller； have retarded the publication；
and rendered necessary that the government should attend to the
reclamation & security of their papers。 Their recovery is now become
an imperious duty。 Their safest deposit as fast as they can be
collected； will be the Philosophical Society； who no doubt will be so
kind as to receive and preserve them； subject to the orders of
government； and their publication； once effected in any way； the
originals will probably be left in the same deposit。 As soon as I
can learn their present situation； I will lay the matter before the
government to take such order as they think proper。 As to any claims
of individuals to these papers； it is to be observed that； as being
the property of the public； we are certain neither Lewis nor Clarke
would undertake to convey away the right to them； and that they could
not convey them； had they been capable of intending it。 Yet no
interest of that kind is meant to be disturbed； if the individual can
give satisfactory assurance that he will promptly & properly publish
them。 Otherwise they must be restored to the government； & the
claimant left to settle with those on whom he has any claim。 My
interference will； I trust； be excused； not only from the portion
which every citizen has in whatever is public； but from the peculiar
part I have had in the design and execution of this expedition。
To you； my friend； apology is due for involving you in the
trouble of this inquiry。 It must be found in the interest you take
in whatever belongs to science； and in your own kind offers to me of
aid in this research。 Be assured always of my affectionate
friendship and respect。
THE TEST OF REPUBLICANISM
_To John Taylor_
_Monticello； May 28； 1816_
DEAR SIR； On my return from a long journey and considerable
absence from home； I found here the copy of your 〃Enquiry into the
principles of our government；〃 which you had been so kind as to send
me； and for which I pray you to accept my thanks。 The difficulties
of getting new works in our situation； inland and without a single
bookstore； are such as had prevented my obtaining a copy before； and
letters which had accumulated during my absence； and were calling for
answers； have not yet permitted me to give to the whole a thorough
reading； yet certain that you and I could not think differently on
the fundamentals of rightful government； I was impatient； and availed
myself of the intervals of repose from the writing table； to obtain a
cursory idea of the body of the work。
I see in it much matter for profound reflection； much which
should confirm our adhesion； in practice； to the good principles of
our constitution； and fix our attention on what is yet to be made
good。 The sixth section on the good moral principles of our
government； I found so interesting and replete with sound principles；
as to postpone my letter…writing to its thorough perusal and
consideration。 Besides much other good matter； it settles
unanswerably the right of instructing representatives； and their duty
to obey。 The system of banking we have both equally and ever
reprobated。 I contemplate it as a blot left in all our
constitutions； which； if not covered； will end in their destruction；
which is already hit by the gamblers in corruption； and is sweeping
away in its progress the fortunes and morals of our citizens。
Funding I consider as limited； rightfully； to a redemption of the
debt within the lives of a majority of the generation contracting it；
every generation coming equally； by the laws of the Creator of the
world； to the free possession of the earth he made for their
subsistence； unincumbered by their predecessors； who； like them； were
but tenants for life。 You have successfully and completely
pulverized Mr。 Adams' system of orders； and his opening the mantle of
republicanism to every government of laws； whether consistent or not
with natural right。 Indeed； it must be acknowledged； that the term
_republic_ is of very vague application in every language。 Witness
the self…styled republics of Holland； Switzerland； Genoa； Venice；
Poland。 Were I to assign to this term a precise and definite idea； I
would say； purely and simply； it means a government by its citizens
in mass； acting directly and personally； according to rules
established by the majority； and that every other government is more
or less republican； in proportion as it has in its composition more
or less of this ingredient of the direct action of the citizens。
Such a government is evidently restrained to very narrow limits of
space and population。 I doubt if it would be practicable beyond the
extent of a New England township。 The first shade from this pure
element； which； like that of pure vital air； cannot sustain life of
itself； would be where the powers of the government； being divided；
should be exercised each by representatives chosen either _pro hac
vice_； or for such short terms as should render secure the duty of
expressing the will of their constituents。 This I should consider as
the nearest approach to a pure republic； which is practicable on a
large scale of country or population。 And we have examples of it in
some of our States constitutions； which； if not poisoned by
priest…craft； would prove its excellence over all mixtures with other
elements； and； with only equal doses of poison； would still be the
best。 Other shades of republicanism may be found in other forms of
government； where the executive； judiciary and legislative functions；
and the different branches of the latter； are chosen by the people
more or less directly； for longer terms of years or for life； or made
hereditary； or where there are mixtures of authorities； some
dependent on； and others independent of the people。 The further the
departure from direct and constant control by the citizens； the less
has th