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Jefferson
Letter to the Members of the Baltimore Baptist Association,
1808
This
letter was written in response to a letter from the
Baltimore Baptist Association received by Jefferson
after announcing his intent to retire from office at
the close of his term in the spring of 1809. In the
first letter, the Baptist Association apparently expressed
its gratitude to Jefferson for his noted efforts to
achieve religious disestablishment. In his response,
Jefferson modestly acknowledges the efforts of "the
many" who merit approbation. Interestingly, Jefferson
characterizes as a "duty" that which was done to achieve
religious freedom. In addition to Jefferson's humble
acceptance of the Baptist Association's appreciation,
this letter is significant because it expresses Jefferson's
concern for the mounting tension in the country caused
by strained relations with Great Britain. Although Jefferson
does not say what he fears the result of such strained
relations will be, he does indicate that it likely will
be serious enough to require the American people to
once again unite their hearts and hands in preserving
their new government and the freedoms, including religious
liberty, secured by that government.
RJ&L
Religious Institutions Group
October
17, 1808
I
receive with great pleasure the friendly address of the
Baltimore Baptist Association, and am sensible how much
I am indebted to the kind dispositions which dictated it.
In
our early struggles for liberty, religious freedom could
not fail to become a primary object. All men felt the right,
and a just animation to obtain it was exhibited by all.
I was one only among the many who befriended its establishment,
and am entitled but in common with others to a portion of
that approbation which follows the fulfilment of a duty.
Excited
by wrongs to reject a foreign government which directed
our concerns according to its own interests, and not to
ours, the principles which justified us were obvious to
all understandings, they were imprinted in the breast of
every human being; and Providence ever pleases to direct
the issue of our contest in favor of that side where justice
was. Since this happy separation, our nation has wisely
avoided entangling itself in the system of European interests,
has taken no side between its rival powers, attached itself
to none of its ever-changing confederacies. Their peace
is desirable; and you do me justice in saying that to preserve
and secure this, has been the constant aim of my administration.
The difficulties which involve it, however, are now at their
ultimate term, and what will be their issue, time alone
will disclose. But be it what it may, a recollection of
our former vassalage in religion and civil government, will
unite the zeal of every heart, and the energy of every hand,
to preserve that independence in both which, under the favor
of heaven, a disinterested devotion to the public cause
first achieved, and a disinterested sacrifice of private
interests will now maintain.
I
am happy in your approbation of my reasons for determining
to retire from a station, in which the favor of my fellow
citizens has so long continued and supported me: I return
your kind prayers with supplications to the same almighty
Being for your future welfare and that of our beloved country.
Source:
VIII The Writings of Thomas Jefferson: Being His Autobiography,
Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other
Writings, Official and Private 137-38 (H. A. Washington
ed., 1984)
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