University of Virginia Library

6323. PAINE (Thomas), Respect for.—

You have certainly misconceived what you
deem shyness. Of that I have not had a
thought towards you, but on the contrary have
openly maintained in conversation the duty of
showing our respect to you, and of defying
federal calumny in this as in other cases, by
doing what is right. As to fearing it, if I ever
could have been weak enough for that, they
have taken care to cure me of it thoroughly.—
To Thomas Paine. Ford ed., viii, 189.
(W. 1803)