The Correspondence of Thomas Jefferson
By Subject
FOREIGN RELATIONS / RUSSIA
I have often wished for an occasion of saying a word to you on the
subject of the Emperor of Russia, of whose character and value to us,
I suspect you are not apprised correctly. A more virtuous man, I
believe, does not exist, nor one who is more enthusiastically devoted
to better the condition of mankind. He will probably, one day, fall a
victim to it, as a monarch of that principle does not suit a Russian
noblesse. He is not of the very first order of understanding, but he
is of a high one. He has taken a peculiar affection to this country
and its government, of which. he has given me public as well as
personal proofs. Our nation being, like his, habitually neutral, our
interests as to neutral rights, and our. sentiments agree. And
whenever conferences for peace shall take place, we are assured of a
friend in him. In fact, although in questions of restitution he will
be with England, in those of neutral rights he will be with Bonaparte
and with every other power in the world, except England; and I do
presume that England will never have peace until she subscribes to a
just code of marine law. I have gone into this subject, because I am
confident that Russia (while her present monarch lives) is the most
cordially friendly to us of any power on earth, will go furthest to
serve us, and is most worthy of conciliation. And although the source
of this information must be a matter of confidence with you, yet it is
desirable that the sentiments should become those of the nation. I
salute you with esteem and respect.
to William Duane, 20 July 1807
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