That
respecting the case of the interrogatories in Pennsylvania, ought
to make noise. So evident a heresy in the common law ought not to be
tolerated on the authority of two or three civilians, who happened,
unfortunately, to make authority in the courts of England. I hold it
essential, in America, to forbid that any English decision which has
happened since the accession of Lord Mansfield to the bench, should ever
be cited in a court: because, though there have come many good ones
from him, yet there is so much sly poison instilled into a great part of
them, that it is better to proscribe the whole. Can you inform me what
has been done by England on the subject of our wheat and flour?
The papers say it is prohibited, even in Hanover. How do their
whale-fisheries turn out, this year? I hope a deep wound will be given
them in that article soon, and such as will leave us in no danger from
their competition.
*****
I am, with very great esteem, Dear Sir, your most obedient, humble
servant,
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CLXVII.--TO JOHN JAY, November 14, 1788
TO JOHN JAY.
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