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第6章

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Lewis was instructed to take those of every tribe beyond; which he

possibly could: the intention was to publish the whole; and leave the

world to search for affinities between these and the languages of

Europe and Asia。  He was furnished with a number of printed

vocabularies of the same words and form I had used; with blank spaces

for the Indian words。  He was very attentive to this instruction;

never missing an opportunity of taking a vocabulary。  After his

return; he asked me if I should have any objection to the printing

his separately; as mine were not yet arranged as I intended。  I

assured him I had not the least; and I am certain he contemplated

their publication。  But whether he had put the papers out of his own

hand or not; I do not know。  I imagine he had not: and it is probable

that Doctr。 Barton; who was particularly curious on this subject; and

published on it occasionally; would willingly recieve and take care

of these papers after Capt。 Lewis's death; and that they are now

among his papers。




 

        4。 His observations of longitude and latitude。  He was

instructed to send these to the war…office; that measures might be

taken to have the calculations made。  Whether he delivered them to

the war…office; or to Dr。 Patterson; I do not know; but I think he

communicated with Dr。 Patterson concerning them。  These are

all…important: because altho'; having with him the Nautical almanacs;

he could & did calculate some of his latitudes; yet the longitudes

were taken merely from estimates by the log…line; time and course。

So that it is only as to latitudes that his map may be considered as

tolerably correct; not as to its longitudes。




        5。 His Map。  This was drawn on sheets of paper; not put

together; but so marked that they could be joined together with the

utmost accuracy; not as one great square map; but ramifying with the

courses of the rivers。  The scale was very large; and the sheets

numerous; but in perfect preservation。  This was to await

publication; until corrected by the calculations of longitude and

latitude。  I examined these sheets myself minutely; as spread on the

floor; and the originals must be in existence; as the Map published

with his travels must have been taken from them。




        These constitute the whole。  They are the property of the

government; the fruits of the expedition undertaken at such expense

of money and risk of valuable lives。  They contain exactly the whole

of the information which it was our object to obtain for the benefit

of our own country and of the world。  But we were willing to give to

Lewis and Clarke whatever pecuniary benefits might be derived from

the publication; and therefore left the papers in their hands; taking

for granted that their interests would produce a speedy publication;

which would be better if done under their direction。  But the death

of Capt。 Lewis; the distance and occupations of General Clarke; and

the bankruptcy of their bookseller; have retarded the publication;

and rendered necessary that the government should attend to the

reclamation & security of their papers。  Their recovery is now become

an imperious duty。  Their safest deposit as fast as they can be

collected; will be the Philosophical Society; who no doubt will be so

kind as to receive and preserve them; subject to the orders of

government; and their publication; once effected in any way; the

originals will probably be left in the same deposit。  As soon as I

can learn their present situation; I will lay the matter before the

government to take such order as they think proper。  As to any claims

of individuals to these papers; it is to be observed that; as being

the property of the public; we are certain neither Lewis nor Clarke

would undertake to convey away the right to them; and that they could

not convey them; had they been capable of intending it。  Yet no

interest of that kind is meant to be disturbed; if the individual can

give satisfactory assurance that he will promptly & properly publish

them。  Otherwise they must be restored to the government; & the

claimant left to settle with those on whom he has any claim。  My

interference will; I trust; be excused; not only from the portion

which every citizen has in whatever is public; but from the peculiar

part I have had in the design and execution of this expedition。




        To you; my friend; apology is due for involving you in the

trouble of this inquiry。  It must be found in the interest you take

in whatever belongs to science; and in your own kind offers to me of

aid in this research。  Be assured always of my affectionate

friendship and respect。







        THE TEST OF REPUBLICANISM




        _To John Taylor_

        _Monticello; May 28; 1816_




        DEAR SIR;  On my return from a long journey and considerable

absence from home; I found here the copy of your 〃Enquiry into the

principles of our government;〃 which you had been so kind as to send

me; and for which I pray you to accept my thanks。  The difficulties

of getting new works in our situation; inland and without a single

bookstore; are such as had prevented my obtaining a copy before; and

letters which had accumulated during my absence; and were calling for

answers; have not yet permitted me to give to the whole a thorough

reading; yet certain that you and I could not think differently on

the fundamentals of rightful government; I was impatient; and availed

myself of the intervals of repose from the writing table; to obtain a

cursory idea of the body of the work。




 

        I see in it much matter for profound reflection; much which

should confirm our adhesion; in practice; to the good principles of

our constitution; and fix our attention on what is yet to be made

good。  The sixth section on the good moral principles of our

government; I found so interesting and replete with sound principles;

as to postpone my letter…writing to its thorough perusal and

consideration。  Besides much other good matter; it settles

unanswerably the right of instructing representatives; and their duty

to obey。  The system of banking we have both equally and ever

reprobated。  I contemplate it as a blot left in all our

constitutions; which; if not covered; will end in their destruction;

which is already hit by the gamblers in corruption; and is sweeping

away in its progress the fortunes and morals of our citizens。

Funding I consider as limited; rightfully; to a redemption of the

debt within the lives of a majority of the generation contracting it;

every generation coming equally; by the laws of the Creator of the

world; to the free possession of the earth he made for their

subsistence; unincumbered by their predecessors; who; like them; were

but tenants for life。  You have successfully and completely

pulverized Mr。 Adams' system of orders; and his opening the mantle of

republicanism to every government of laws; whether consistent or not

with natural right。  Indeed; it must be acknowledged; that the term

_republic_ is of very vague application in every language。  Witness

the self…styled republics of Holland; Switzerland; Genoa; Venice;

Poland。  Were I to assign to this term a precise and definite idea; I

would say; purely and simply; it means a government by its citizens

in mass; acting directly and personally; according to rules

established by the majority; and that every other government is more

or less republican; in proportion as it has in its composition more

or less of this ingredient of the direct action of the citizens。

Such a government is evidently restrained to very narrow limits of

space and population。  I doubt if it would be practicable beyond the

extent of a New England township。  The first shade from this pure

element; which; like that of pure vital air; cannot sustain life of

itself; would be where the powers of the government; being divided;

should be exercised each by representatives chosen 

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