Thomas Jefferson Letter to Roger Weightman "Ancient" (aliens)

[3goodmonths]

Thomas Jeffersons last letter has been in the news because it states the letter reminds us of independence.


When I was reading the letter I wondering about how he refers to "Ancient Neighbors" in the following paragraph from the end of his letter:

I will ask permission here to express the pleasure with which I should have met my ancient neighbors of the City of Washington and of it's vicinities, with whom I passed so many years of a pleasing social intercourse; an intercourse which so much relieved the anxieties of the public cares, and left impressions so deeply engraved in my affections, as never to be forgotten.


Why would he use the word ancient unless he is talking about how he may come from ancient times and maybe there is an ancient entity controlling washington?

[MagnoliaThunder]

Um, to me it just sounds like he meant very old people...not sure where you are getting your question?

[Mark S.]

Sorry. No aliens here.

He was talking about American Indians, who were a large influence on young Thomas while he was growing up. You can read all about it in any decent biography, but here are some quick overviews:

https://www.monticello.org/site/jeff...erican-indians

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas...tive_Americans

[Vasily]

Maybe humorous exaggeration - like calling a much older friend a geezer. Edit: I think Mark S has hit the nail on the head.

[Tallysmom]

Yeah...not. Closed.