lives precious to mankind, and for the continuance of which every thinking man is solicitous. Bigots may be an exception.

What an effort, my dear Sir, of bigotry, in politics and religion, have we gone through! The barbarians really flattered themselves they should be able to bring back the times of Vandalism, when ignorance put every thing into the hands of power and priestcraft. All advances in science were proscribed as innovations. They pretended to praise and encourage education, but it was to be the education of our ancestors. We were to look backwards, not forwards, for improvement; the President himself declaring, in one of his answers to addresses, that we were never to expect to go beyond them, in real science. This was the real ground of all the attacks on you. Those who live by mystery and charlatanerie, fearing you would render them useless by simplifying the Christian philosophy, the most sublime and benevolent, but most perverted systein that ever shone on man, endeavoured to crush your well-earned and well-deserved fame. But it was the Lilliputians upon Gulliver. Our countrymen have recovered from the alarm into which art and industry had thrown them. Science and honesty are replaced on their high ground; and you, my dear Sir, as their great apostle, are on its pinnacle. It is with heartfelt satisfaction that, in the first moments of my public action, I can hail you with welcome to our land, tender to you the homage of its respect and esteem, cover you under the protection of those laws which were made for the wise and good, like you, and disclaim the legitimacy of that libel on legislation which, under the form of a law, was some time placed among them.*

As the storm is now subsiding, and the horizon becoming serene, it is pleasant to consider the phenomenon with attention. We can no longer say there is nothing new under the sun. For this whole chapter in the history of man is new. The great extent of our republic is new. Its sparse habitation is new. The mighty wave of public opinion which has rolled "In the margin is written by the author, alien law.""

over it, is new. But the most pleasing novelty is, it so quietly subsiding, over such an extent of surface, to its true level again. The order and good sense displayed in this recovery from delusion, and in the momentous crisis which lately arose, really bespeak a strength of character in our nation which augurs well for the duration of our republic; and I am much better satisfied now of its stability than I was before it was tried.

I have been, above all things, solaced by the prospects which opened on us in the event of a non-election of a President; in which case the Federal government would have been in the situation of a clock or watch run down. There was no idea of force, nor of any occasion for it. A Convention, invited by the republican members of Congress, with the virtual President and Vice-president, would have been on the ground in eight weeks, would have repaired the constitution where it was defective, and wound it up again. This peaceable and legitimate resource, to which we are in the habit of implicit obedience, superseding all appeal to force, and being always within our reach, shews a precious principle of self-preservation in our composition, till a change of circumstances shall take place, which is not within prospect of any definite period.

But I have got into a long disquisition on politics when I only meant to express my sympathy in the state of your health, and to tender you all the affections of public and private hospitality. I should be very happy indeed to see you here. I leave this about the 30th inst. to return about the 25th of April. If you do not leave Philadelphia before that, a little excursion hither would help your health. I should be much gratified with the possession of a guest I so much esteem, and should claim a right to lodge you, should you make such an excursion.

Accept the homage of my high consideration and respect, and assurances of affectionate attachment.*

* MS. copy, sent by Mr. Joseph Priestley to Mr. Lindsey; and since printed, verbatim, in "Memoirs, Correspondence, and Private Papers, of Thomas Jefferson," (1830,) III. 468–470.

To MR. RUSSELL.

DEAR SIR, Philadelphia, April 4, 1801. I AM just recovered from an illness, in which the physicians at one time despaired of me; but I am thankful that my recovery seems to be perfect, and they say that my constitution will be the better for it. I am, however, very weak, and am advised not to write. This is the first letter that I have undertaken.

I greatly admire your zeal in the good cause, and wish you may see the good effects of it, but you must be prepared for disappointment, for the difficulties you will have to encounter will be numerous. I would advise you to do nothing till you get to Paris, and see what may be done; and if a preacher can be employed to advantage, to write to Mr. Belsham to recommend one.

What publications of mine are translated into French I do not know; but the Letters to the Philosophers, &c., of France, I believe are. I have lately heard from Mr. Stone, and find he had not seen my Comparison. This work, and what I have published in this country, you will of course have with you, and may make what use of them circumstances shall direct.

The late French consul, Letombe, who goes to France very soon, has engaged to take care of any thing that I shall wish to send thither, and he will not be pleased if I do not send by him, so that I shall not have any occasion to trouble you. As to myself, I cannot go to France till I know more of the state of affairs there.

A zealous Christian friend and assistant will be, in a measure, necessary to you in France, but I know no such person. But we should never give way to anxiety, even about doing good, but content ourselves with being always ready to lay hold of every opportunity that offers, persuaded that every thing that is truly desirable to be done will be done in the proper time, and by the most proper persons.

I fully expect to set out for Northumberland the week after * Middletown.

next, being well able to travel, and the weather is now such as to promise us pretty good roads. I should have been glad to have seen you before your voyage, but it could only have been a personal gratification, as nothing of importance depends upon it.*

TO REV. T. LINDSEY.†

DEAR FRIEND,

Philadelphia, April 8, 1801. My son, I believe, wrote you a short letter while I was not able to write myself, though I was then recovering from a very dangerous illness. I am now, through the goodness of God, completely recovered, and want only a little more strength to be as well as I was when I came to Philadelphia. They call my disorder a bilious fever, with pleurisy; and, according to the established system here, I was bled profusely, seven times in all, under the direction of Dr. Rush, and to this I believe I owe my recovery. I hope now to return to Northumberland some time the next week, and I shall rejoice if the books you mentioned arrive before I return.

I have received a very kind and confidential letter from Mr. Jefferson, inviting me to complete my recovery by a visit to him. I hope you have received a copy of it. The change that has taken place in the politics of this country has been a happy one for me.

I desired Mr. Belsham to tell Mr. Johnson that I wished him to send me a small fount of Greek and Hebrew (pica or small pica) for the sake of the notes to my Commentary on the Scriptures. Desire him to send it the first opportunity. I long much to see my Essay, &c., with your preface.‡

DEAR SIR,

To MR. RUSSELL.S

Philadelphia, April 12, 1801. I HAVE just received your kind letter of April 10, and have no more than time to inform you that a carriage is come for us, and we leave this place to-morrow morning. As you do not

* Orig. MS.

Orig. MS. See supra, p.444.

+ Essex Street.
§ Middletown.

go soon, I may yet see you at Northumberland, but if you go with Mr. Henry or Mr. Letombe, you will go pretty soon. Mr. Letombe you cannot but like. He has been consul here, many years, and is esteemed by every body.

I greatly admire your zeal and your liberality in support of rational Christianity; and whether your excellent purpose be answered or not, you will have no reason to repent of what you do. No man can give his time or money to a better purpose; but we must not look for our recompence in this world.

You must certainly be some time in France before you can see what is best for you to do. No doubt it is desirable to have a person who can preach in French; but there are many English in Paris, and many Frenchmen who understand English, so that one English congregation* might be very useful.†

TO REV. T. BELSHAM.‡

DEAR SIR, Northumberland, May 14, 1801. YOUR late sermon§ I like much. It is an excellent summary of prevailing errors, with hints sufficient for their refutation. Such a tract was wanting, and will be very useful. If you started with a view to follow my example, you have now got beyond me. It is a bolder sermon than I ever preached. But my boldness was never so much in preaching as in publishing, though I never declined speaking my sentiments from the pulpit on proper occasions. Nothing is ultimately gained by temporizing; and I am confident you will never see reasons to repent of the openness you have always discovered. ||

* An "English Unitarian Church" has been, just now, "formed in Paris." See the Declaration of "a Meeting Dec. 4, 1831," to establish "The Unitarian Association of France."

↑ Hackney.

+ Orig. MS. § Mr. Belsham had published "Dishonest Shame, the Primary Source of the Corruptions of the Christian Doctrine;" followed by "A Serious Caution against Popular Errors, a Sermon addressed to Young Persons."

Of "the openness" which, like his correspondent, Dr. Priestley had "always discovered," and its beneficial results, I observe a gratifying acknowledgment, at "the Second Anniversary of the Irish Unitarian Christian Society held in Dublin, April 30" last.

"Mr. William Porter" justly remarks of "the Scripture Doctrine” of "Dr. Samuel Clarke," that "it sought to win the Church to Unitarianism,