James Trecothick Austin (1784–1870)

"I thank you for the very splendid morsel of eloquence which you have been so kind as to send me. it is a happy and pregnant example to the orators of the 4th of July, of change from the hackneyed topics of 1776, to those of the current year. I have read it with sensations very different from those which will be felt by our recreant citizens of the East. if theirs be sensations of sorrow ‘I shall rejoice; not that they were made sorry; but, in the hope, that they sorrow to repentance.’ with wishes that a return of fidelity to their country, and of affection for their fellow citizens, may furnish you with themes for equally eloquent eulogies on the future anniversaries of our independance ..." — Thomas Jefferson to James T. Austin, 23 July 1815 [PTJ:RS 8:614]… (altro)

I have duly received your favor of July 12. With the pamphlet inclosed for which be pleased to accept my thanks. I had before read the papers separately in the newspapers with great satisfaction, but without knowing to whom we were indebted for so just a censure of the act which is the subject of it. This was certainly the grossest insult which any organised society ever received from it's own members, and I have no doubt it will enlighten the more faithful citizens of Massachusetts as to the dangers to which they may be exposed from such citizens within their own bosoms, under circumstances which at present appear to threaten us. I have never doubted that in the appeal to arms which has been threatened by some intemperate persons, the sound parts of your state would be sufficient to take care of the unsound. ... (TJ to Austin, 2 August 1811)

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=rbc3&fileName=rbc0001_2007jeffca...… (altro)