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length of days and success； and have it always in His holy keeping。
A TRIBUTE OF GRATITUDE
_To Dr。 Edward Jenner_
_Monticello； May 14； 1806_
SIR； I have received a copy of the evidence at large
respecting the discovery of the vaccine inoculation which you have
been pleased to send me； and for which I return you my thanks。
Having been among the early converts； in this part of the globe； to
its efficiency； I took an early part in recommending it to my
countrymen。 I avail myself of this occasion of rendering you a
portion of the tribute of gratitude due to you from the whole human
family。 Medicine has never before produced any single improvement of
such utility。 Harvey's discovery of the circulation of the blood was
a beautiful addition to our knowledge of the animal economy； but on a
review of the practice of medicine before and since that epoch； I do
not see any great amelioration which has been derived from that
discovery。 You have erased from the calendar of human afflictions
one of its greatest。 Yours is the comfortable reflection that
mankind can never forget that you have lived。 Future nations will
know by history only that the loathsome small…pox has existed and by
you has been extirpated。
Accept my fervent wishes for your health and happiness and
assurances of the greatest respect and consideration。
SCHISM AND THE MAJORITY LEADSHIP
_To Barnabas Bidwell_
_Washington； July 5； 1806_
SIR； Your favor of June the 21st has been duly received。 We
have not as yet heard from General Skinner on the subject of his
office。 Three persons are proposed on the most respectable
recommendations； and under circumstances of such equality as renders
it difficult to decide between them。 But it shall be done
impartially。 I sincerely congratulate you on the triumph of
republicanism in Massachusetts。 The Hydra of federalism has now lost
all its heads but two。 Connecticut I think will soon follow
Massachusetts。 Delaware will probably remain what it ever has been；
a mere county of England； conquered indeed； and held under by force；
but always disposed to counter…revolution。 I speak of its majority
only。
Our information from London continues to give us hopes of an
accommodation there on both the points of ‘accustomed commerce and
impressment。' In this there must probably be some mutual concession；
because we cannot expect to obtain every thing and yield nothing。
But I hope it will be such an one as may be accepted。 The arrival of
the Hornet in France is so recently known； that it will yet be some
time before we learn our prospects there。 Notwithstanding the
efforts made here； and made professedly to assassinate that
negotiation in embryo； if the good sense of Buonaparte should prevail
over his temper； the present state of things in Europe may induce him
to require of Spain that she should do us justice at least。 That he
should require her to sell us East Florida； we have no right to
insist： yet there are not wanting considerations which may induce him
to wish a permanent foundation for peace laid between us。 In this
treaty； whatever it shall be； our old enemies the federalists； and
their new friends； will find enough to carp at。 This is a thing of
course； and I should suspect error where they found no fault。 The
buzzard feeds on carrion only。 Their rallying point is ‘war with
France and Spain； and alliance with Great Britain：' and every thing
is wrong with them which checks their new ardor to be fighting for
the liberties of mankind； on the sea always excepted。 There one
nation is to monopolise all the liberties of the others。
I read； with extreme regret； the expressions of an inclination
on your part to retire from Congress。 I will not say that this time；
more than all others； calls for the service of every man； but I will
say； there never was a time when the services of those who possess
talents； integrity； firmness and sound judgment； were more wanted in
Congress。 Some one of that description is particularly wanted to
take the lead in the House of Representatives； to consider the
business of the nation as his own business； to take it up as if he
were singly charged with it； and carry it through。 I do not mean
that any gentleman； relinquishing his own judgment； should implicitly
support all the measures of the administration； but that；where he
does not disapprove of them； he should not suffer them to go off in
sleep； but bring them to the attention of the House； and give them a
fair chance。 Where he disapproves； he will of course leave them to
be brought forward by those who concur in the sentiment。 Shall I
explain my idea by an example？ The classification of the militia was
communicated to General Varnum and yourself merely as a proposition；
which； if you approved； it was trusted you would support。 I knew；
indeed； that General Varnum was opposed to any thing which might
break up the present organization of the militia： but when so
modified as to avoid this； I thought he might； perhaps； be reconciled
to it。 As soon as I found it did not coincide with your sentiments；
I could not wish you to support it； but using the same freedom of
opinion； I procured it to be brought forward elsewhere。 It failed
there also； and for a time perhaps； may not prevail： but a militia
can never be used for distant service on any other plan； and
Buonaparte will conquer the world； if they do not learn his secret of
composing armies of young men only； whose enthusiasm and health
enable them to surmount all obstacles。 When a gentleman； through
zeal for the public service； undertakes to do the public business； we
know that we shall hear the cant of backstairs counsellors。 But we
never heard this while the declaimer was himself a backstairs man； as
he calls it； but in the confidence and views of the administration；
as may more properly and respectfully be said。 But if the members
are to know nothing but what is important enough to be put into a
public message； and indifferent enough to be made known to all the
world； if the executive is to keep all other information to himself；
and the House to plunge on in the dark； it becomes a government of
chance and not of design。 The imputation was one of those artifices
used to despoil an adversary of his most effectual arms； and men of
mind will place themselves above a gabble of this order。 The last
session of Congress was indeed an uneasy one for a time： but as soon
as the members penetrated into the views of those who were taking a
new course； they rallied in as solid a phalanx as I have ever seen
act together。 Indeed I have never seen a House of better
dispositions。 They want only a man of business & in whom they can
confide to conduct things in the house； and they are as much disposed
to support him as can be wished。 It is on