Monticello Jan. 18.26
Dear Sir
Yours of the 11th is recieved. those of Nov. 2 and Dec. 14 have been so in due time. I suppose I had not acknoleged them specifically from being too lazy to recur to them while writing mine of the 3d I thank you for your information from Mr. Boyd and shall desire the instruments to remain in their present position until I can find a safe and public conveyance and give an order for them. The Russian discourse was duly reviewed and was read with the feelings [they] it would naturally create in the breast of a friend to the Rights of man. on the subject of emancipation I have ceased to think because not to be a work of my day. the plan of converting the blacks into Serfs would certainly be better than keeping them in their present condition; but I consider that of expatriation to the governments of the W. I. of their own colour as entirely practicable, and greatly preferable to the mixture of colour here. to this I have great aversion; but I repeat my abandonment of the subject. my health is at present as good as I ever expect it to be, and I am ever and affectionately your’s,
Th: Jefferson
