Thomas Jefferson's Letter to Attorney General Levi Lincoln

This letter was written the same day as Jefferson's letter to the Danbury Baptist Church, posted directly after this post. This is also found in Lenni Brenner's book, Jefferson and Madison on Separation of Church and State.

Averse to receive addresses, yet unable to prevent them, I have generally endeavored to turn them to some account, by making them the occasion, by way of answer, of sowing useful truths and principles among the people, which might germinate and become rooted among their political tenets. The Baptist address, now enclosed, admits of a condemnation of the alliance between Church and State, under the Authority of the Constitution. It furnishes an occasion, too, which I have long wished to find, of saying why I do not proclaim fastings and thanksgivings, as my predecessors did (Steve's note: this was the portion in brackets that was deleted from the letter's final draft). The address, to be sure, does not point at this, and its introduction is awkward. But I foresee no opportunity of doing it more pertinently. I know it will give great offense to the New England clergy; but the advocate of religious freedom is to expect neither peace nor forgiveness from them. Will you be so good as to examine the answer, and suggest any alterations which might prevent an ill effect, or promote a good one, among the people? You understand the temper of those in the North, and can weaken it, therefore, to their stomachs: it as at present seasoned to the Southern taste only. I would ask the favor of you to return it, with the address in the course of the day or evening.