Volume Five of the definitive edition of Thomas Jefferson's
papers from the end of his presidency until his death includes 592
documents from 1 May 1812 to 10 March 1813. America declares war on
Great Britain on 18 June 1812. Jefferson counsels domestic
reconciliation while suggesting that America recruit British
incendiaries to burn London if British ships attack American
cities. He passes on to President James Madison a long and
discouraging letter from Isaac A. Coles describing American
military bungling in the Niagara Campaign. An unofficial proposal
that Jefferson return to public life as secretary of state does not
gain the retired statesman's support. Jefferson receives many
requests for governmental patronage, responds insightfully to a
colorful assortment of authors and inventors, is mildly diverted by
a fraudulent perpetual-motion machine, and spends considerable time
on legal troubles. A dispute with David Michie over land in
Albemarle County nearly leads to a duel between Michie and
Jefferson's agent. A conflict with Samuel Scott over property in
Campbell County further vexes Jefferson, who prepares an
extensively researched answer to Scott's complaint. Despite the
conflict, Jefferson graciously writes a letter of introduction for
Scott's son. Jefferson remains accessible to the public, receives
anonymous letters urging him to convert to Christianity, and
settles a wager for one correspondent who asks if Jefferson ever
met the British king. Jefferson gloomily observes that "the hand of
age is upon me" and complains that his faculties are failing. He
still has thirteen years to live.
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