In this letter Thomas Jefferson writes to the Marquis de Lafayette expressing his hopes and misgivings about emancipation for South America.  “I join you, sincerely, my friend in wishes for the emancipation of South America.  That they will be liberated from foreign subjugation I have little doubt.  But the result of my inquiries does not authorize me to hope they are capable of maintaining a free government. . . . they may have some capable leaders yet nothing but intelligence in the people themselves can keep these faithful to their charge. . . . A republic of kings is impossible.”