University of Virginia Library

TO HENRY ST. GEORGE TUCKER.

Dr Sir I have recd. your favor of the 18th, inclosing
the Report on Roads & Canals.[139]

I respect too much the right and the duty of the
Reps. of the people to examine for themselves,
the merits of all questions before them, and am
too conscious of my own fallibility, to view the most
rigid & critical examination of the particular question
referred to your Committee, with any other feeling
than a solicitude for a result favorable to truth and
the public good.

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I am not unaware that my belief, not to say
knowledge of the views of those who proposed the
Constitution, and, what is of more importance my
deep impression as to the views of those who bestowed
on it the stamp of Authority, may influence my
interpretation of the Instrument. On the other
hand it is not impossible, that those who consult
the Instrument without a danger of that bias, may
be exposed to an equal one in their anxiety to find
in its text an authority for a particular measure of
great apparent Utility.

I must pray you, my dear Sir, to be assured that,
altho' I cannot concur in the latitude of Construction
taken in the Report, or in the principle that
the Consent of States, even of a single one, can
enlarge the jurisdiction of the Genl. Govt. or in the
force & extent allowed to precedents & analogies
introduced into the Report, I do not permit this
difference of opinion to diminish my esteem for
the talents, or my confidence in the motives of its
Author. I am far more disposed to acknowledge
my thankfulness, for the polite attention shewn
in forwarding the document, and for the friendly
expressions which accompanied it. Be pleased to
accept a sincere return of them.