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But with respect to future debt; would it not be wise and just for…

Quote byThomas Jefferson · 1743–1826

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Letter to James Madison (6 September 1789) ME 7:455, Papers 15:393.

English (original)

But with respect to future debt; would it not be wise and just for that nation to declare in the constitution they are forming that neither the legislature, nor the nation itself can validly contract more debt, than they may pay within their own age, or within the term of 19 years.

— Thomas Jefferson

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