This is a queftion which concerns the memories of Logan and Crefap; to the ilfue of which I am as indiiFerent as if I had never heard the name C 6 ] of either. I have begun and fhall continue ta enquire into the evidence additional to Logan's, on which the fa6t was founded. Little, indeed, can now be heard of, and that little difperfed and diftant. If it fhall appear on enquiry, that Logan has been wrong in charging Crefap with the murder of his family, I will do juftice to the memory of Crefap, as far as I have contributed to the injury, by believing and repeating what others had believed and repeated before me. If, on the other hand, I find that Logan was right in his charge, I will vindicate, as far as my fuf- frage may go, the truth of a Chief, whofe talents and misfortunes have attached to him the refpe6t and commiferation of the world.
I have gone, my dear Sir, into this lengthy detail to fatisfy a mind, in the candour and re6titude of which I have the higheft confidence.
So far as you may incline to ufe the communi- cation for rectifying the judgments of thofe who are willing to fee things truly as they are, you are free to ufe it. But I pray that no confidence which you may repofe in any one, may induce you to let it go out of your hands, fo as to get into a newfpaper. Againft a conteft in that iield 1 am entirely decided. 1 feci extraordinary gratification, indeed, in addreffing this letter to you, with whom fhades of difference in political fentiment have not prevented the interchange of good opinion, nor cut off the friendly offices C 7 3 of fociety and good correfpondence. This poli- tical tolerance is the more valued by me, who confider fecial harmony as the firft of human felicities, and the happieft moments, thofe which are given to the effufions of the heart. Accept them fmcerely, I pray you, from one who has the honour to be, with fentiments of high re- fpe6t and attachment, Dear Sir, Your moil obedient And moft humble fervant, THOMAS JEFFERSON.
THE Notes on Virginia were written, in Virginia, in the years 1781 and 1782, in an- fwer to certain queries propofed to me by Monf.