I wish to stand on the ground of truth

[This is from my letter to Robert Smith, July 1, 1805. It was in response to false accusations launched by my political opponents, including my fathering Sally Hemings’s children, which isn’t true either.]

I communicate it to particular friends because I wish to stand with them on the ground of truth, neither better nor worse than that makes me. You will perceive that I plead guilty to one of their charges, that when young & single I offered love to a handsome lady. I acknowledge its incorrectness; it is the only one, founded in truth among all their allegations against me. You are among those whose esteem I value too much to risk it by silence.