open on his table, so as to invite the eye of whoever entered his room;
and he contrived occasions of sending up into his room, those whom he
wished to become witnesses of his acting under sanction. By this means,
he avoided committing himself to any liability to prosecution for
forgery, and gave another proof of being a great man in little things,
while he is really small in great ones. I must add General Dearborn's
declaration, that he never wrote a letter to Burr in his life, except
that when here, once in a winter, he usually wrote him a billet of
invitation to dine. The only object of sending you the enclosed letters
is to possess you of the fact, that you may know how to pursue it,
if any of your witnesses should know any thing of it. My intention in
writing to you several times, has been to convey facts or observations
occurring in the absence of the Attorney General, and not to make to
the dreadful drudgery you are going through the unnecessary addition of
writing me letters in answer, which I beg you to relieve yourself from,
except when some necessity calls for it.

I salute you with friendship and respect.

Th: Jefferson.




LETTER XLVII.--TO DOCTOR HORATIO TURPIN, June 10, 1807


TO DOCTOR HORATIO TURPIN.

Washington, June 10, 1807.