Jefferson letter to Jay, 1785 We have now lands enough to employ an infinite number of people in their cultivation. Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most independent, the most virtuous, and they are tied to their country, and wedded to its liberty and interests, by the most lasting bonds.
As long, therefore, as they can find employment in this line, I would not convert them into mariners, artisans, or anythig else. But our citizens will find employment in this line, till their numbers, and of course their productions, become too great for the demand, both internal and foreign. This is not the case as yet, and probably will not be for a considerable time. As soon as it is, the surplus of hands must be turned to something else.
I should then, perhaps, wish to turn them to the sea in preference to manucfatures; because, comparing the characters of the two classes, I find the former the most valuable citizens. I consider the class of artificers as the panders of vice, and the instruments by which the liberties of a country are generally overturned our people are decided in the opinion, that it is necessary for us to take a share in the occupation of the ocean, and their established habits induce them to require that the sea be kept open to them.
But what will be the consequence? Frequent wars with a doubt. Their property will be violated on the sea, and in foreign ports, their persons will be insulted, imprisoned etc. for pretended debts, contracts, crimes, contraband, etc. these insult must be resented, even if we had no feelings, yet to prevent their eternal repetition; or, in other countries, must be paid for by frequent war.
The justest dispositions possible in ourselves, will not secureus againts it. It would be necessary that all other nations were just also. Justice indeed, on our part, will save us from those wars which would have been produced by a contrary disposition. But how can we prevent those produced by a contrary disposition. But how can we prevent those produced by a contrary disposition. But how can we prevent those produced by the wrongs of other nations? By putting ourselves in a condition to punish them…because an insult unpunished is the parent of many others.
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