7796. SELF-GOVERNMENT, Study of.—
I sincerely think that the prominent characters
of the country where you are could not
better prepare their sons for the duties they
will have to perform in their new government
than by sending them here [the University
of Virginia] where they might become
familiarized with the habits and practice of
self-government. This lesson is scarcely to be
acquired but in this country, and yet without
it, the political vessel is all sail and no
ballast. [448]
—
To Henry Dearborn.
Ford ed., x, 237.
(M.
1822)