University of Virginia Library

8844. VIRTUE, Agriculture and.—

I
think our governments will remain virtuous
for many centuries; as long as they are chiefly
agricultural; and this will be as long as there
shall be vacant lands in any part of America. [505]
To James Madison. Ford ed., iv, 479
(P. Dec. 1787)

 
[505]

In the Congress edition, Vol. 2, p. 332, this
extract has been “edited” so as to read: “I think
we shall be so [virtuous] as long as agriculture is
our principal object, which will be the case, while
there remain vacant lands in any part of America,—Editor.