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Yrujo with Burr and his principal accomplices; should come fully out;

and judicially; as they will establish the just complaints we have

against his nation。




        I did not see till last night the opinion of the Judge on the

_subpoena duces tecum_ against the President。  Considering the

question there as _coram non judice_; I did not read his argument

with much attention。  Yet I saw readily enough; that; as is usual

where an opinion is to be supported; right or wrong; he dwells much

on smaller objections; and passes over those which are solid。  Laying

down the position generally; that all persons owe obedience to

subpoenas; he admits no exception unless it can be produced in his

law books。  But if the Constitution enjoins on a particular officer

to be always engaged in a particular set of duties imposed on him;

does not this supersede the general law; subjecting him to minor

duties inconsistent with these?  The Constitution enjoins his

constant agency in the concerns of 6。 millions of people。  Is the law

paramount to this; which calls on him on behalf of a single one?  Let

us apply the Judge's own doctrine to the case of himself & his

brethren。  The sheriff of Henrico summons him from the bench; to

quell a riot somewhere in his county。  The federal judge is; by the

general law; a part of the _posse_ of the State sheriff。  Would the

Judge abandon major duties to perform lesser ones?  Again; the court

of Orleans or Maine commands; by subpoenas; the attendance of all the

judges of the Supreme Court。  Would they abandon their posts as

judges; and the interests of millions committed to them; to serve the

purposes of a single individual?  The leading principle of our

Constitution is the independence of the Legislature; executive and

judiciary of each other; and none are more jealous of this than the

judiciary。  But would the executive be independent of the judiciary;

if he were subject to the _commands_ of the latter; & to imprisonment

for disobedience; if the several courts could bandy him from pillar

to post; keep him constantly trudging from north to south & east to

west; and withdraw him entirely from his constitutional duties?  The

intention of the Constitution; that each branch should be independent

of the others; is further manifested by the means it has furnished to

each; to protect itself from enterprises of force attempted on them

by the others; and to none has it given more effectual or diversified

means than to the executive。  Again; because ministers can go into a

court in London as witnesses; without interruption to their executive

duties; it is inferred that they would go to a court 1000。 or 1500。

miles off; and that ours are to be dragged from Maine to Orleans by

every criminal who will swear that their testimony ‘may be of use to

him。' The Judge says; ‘_it is apparent_ that the President's duties

as chief magistrate do not demand his whole time; & are not

unremitting。' If he alludes to our annual retirement from the seat of

government; during the sickly season; he should be told that such

arrangements are made for carrying on the public business; at and

between the several stations we take; that it goes on as

unremittingly there; as if we were at the seat of government。  I pass

more hours in public business at Monticello than I do here; every

day; and it is much more laborious; because all must be done in

writing。  Our stations being known; all communications come to them

regularly; as to fixed points。  It would be very different were we

always on the road; or placed in the noisy & crowdedtaverns where

courts are held。  Mr。 Rodney is expected here every hour; having been

kept away by a sick child。




        I salute you with friendship and respect。


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