of my duties, than owe expressions of it to my putting myself in the way
of receiving them. Were I to make such a tour to Portsmouth or Portland,
I must do it to Savannah, perhaps to Orleans and Frankfort. As I have
never yet seen the time when the public business would have permitted me
to be so long in a situation in which I could not carry it on, so I have
no reason to expect that such a time will come while I remain in office.
A journey to Boston or Portsmouth, after I shall be a private citizen,
would much better harmonize with my feelings, as well as duties; and,
founded in curiosity, would give no claims to an extension of it. I
should see my friends, too, more at our mutual ease, and be left more
exclusively to their society. However, I end as I began, by declaring
I have made up no opinion on the subject, and that I reserve it as a
question for future consideration and advice.

In the mean time, and at all times, I salute you with great respect and
esteem,

Th: Jefferson.




LETTER LIV.--TO GEORGE HAY, June 20, 1807


TO GEORGE HAY.

Washington, June 20, 1807.

Dear Sir,