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not possess before。 An incident which merits to be known as a lesson
to mankind； in all its details。 This mark of your attention recalls
to my mind the earlier period of life at which I had the pleasure of
your personal acquaintance； and renews the sentiments of high respect
and esteem with which that acquaintance inspired me。 I had not
failed to accompany your personal sufferings during the civil
convulsions of your country； and had sincerely sympathized with them。
An awful period； indeed； has passed in Europe since our first
acquaintance。 When I left France at the close of '89； your
revolution was； as I thought； under the direction of able and honest
men。 But the madness of some of their successors； the vices of
others； the malicious intrigues of an envious and corrupting
neighbor； the tracasserie of the Directory； the usurpations； the
havoc； and devastations of your Attila； and the equal usurpations；
depredations and oppressions of your hypocritical deliverers； will
form a mournful period in the history of man； a period of which the
last chapter will not be seen in your day or mine； and one which I
still fear is to be written in characters of blood。 Had Bonaparte
reflected that such is the moral construction of the world； that no
national crime passes unpunished in the long run； he would not now be
in the cage of St。 Helena； and were your present oppressors to
reflect on the same truth； they would spare to their own countries
the penalties on their present wrongs which will be inflicted on them
on future times。 The seeds of hatred and revenge which they are now
sowing with a large hand； will not fail to produce their fruits in
time。 Like their brother robbers on the highway； they suppose the
escape of the moment a final escape； and deem infamy and future risk
countervailed by present gain。 Our lot has been happier。 When you
witnessed our first struggles in the war of independence； you little
calculated； more than we did； on the rapid growth and prosperity of
this country； on the practical demonstration it was about to exhibit；
of the happy truth that man is capable of self…government； and only
rendered otherwise by the moral degradation designedly superinduced
on him by the wicked acts of his tyrants。
I have much confidence that we shall proceed successfully for
ages to come； and that； contrary to the principle of Montesquieu； it
will be seen that the larger the extent of country； the more firm its
republican structure； if founded； not on conquest； but in principles
of compact and equality。 My hope of its duration is built much on
the enlargement of the resources of life going hand in hand with the
enlargement of territory； and the belief that men are disposed to
live honestly； if the means of doing so are open to them。 With the
consolation of this belief in the future result of our labors； I have
that of other prophets who foretell distant events； that I shall not
live to see it falsified。 My theory has always been； that if we are
to dream； the flatteries of hope are as cheap； and pleasanter than
the gloom of despair。 I wish to yourself a long life of honors；
health and happiness。