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CRYPTIC LETTER REFERRING TO SECRET INFORMATION JEFFERSON, THOMAS. Autograph Letter Signed, as President, to Thomas Mendenhall, refusing to provide
CRYPTIC LETTER REFERRING TO SECRET INFORMATION JEFFERSON, THOMAS. Autograph Letter Signed, as President, to Thomas Mendenhall, refusing to provide him with "secret information" on an unnamed subject, as his position as President makes him the "center of information" and dictates strict confidentiality. 1 page, folded 4to sheet with integral address leaf; usual folds, hole to address leaf from opening. With a franking signature. Washington, 25 February 1803
- Notes: "... I can say with truth that I do not remember ever to have received such a paper as is the subject of your letter. I might ascertain this by a recurrence to my files; but it is unnecessary for another reason. It is so important to the public service that I should be the center of information as to whatever concerns them, that in order to induce it to be freely given I am obliged to let it be understood that whatever I receive is sacredly confidential, and shall not under any circumstances be given up. This imposes on me the obligation to suffer no impression to be made on me by any secret information, nor to act on it until I verify it by further & sufficient enquiry. For this reason had I such a paper as you suppose I could not communicate it without a breach of trust, but I repeat my assurance that I have not the smallest recollection of having received such a one..."
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