RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr late President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ. Recorded in SJL as received 25 Mar. 1821. Enclosure: Rhea to his constituents, Washington, 5 Mar. 1821, reporting on the ratification of the Adams-Onís Treaty with Spain and its effect on the boundaries of the United States; emphasizing the importance of Florida now being securely under United States control; noting that a resolution has been adopted for Missouri’s admission as a state “without any future interference of Congress” (p. 1); summarizing the annual report of the secretary of the treasury of 1 Dec. 1820 and detailing national revenue and expenditures; analyzing statistics on manufacturing and produce and their effect on imports and exports; asserting that agriculture, manufacturing, and commerce will all flourish under the just and wise regulation of Congress; and concluding that, “under the protection of the Almighty,” the United States “are great and powerful, and progressing to unknown greatness. Employed in their own agriculture and other pursuits, they desire not to interfere in the affairs of other nations. Let them never exert their power but in vindication of their own rights” (p. 7) (printed circular in DLC: Madison Collection, Rare Book and Special Collections; reprinted in Noble E. Cunningham Jr., ed., Circular Letters of Congressmen to Their Constituents, 1789–1829 [1978], 3:1140–7).