Monticello Oct. 23. 1799. Sir I received in due time your favor inclosing the decree against the Hendersons & thank you for your advice on the mode of executing it. I shall use the cautions you recommend. The decree is upon the whole quite satisfactory. It is true I had thought that he who erected a nuisance ought to be made to abate it, & that in the present case the abatement will be considerably expensive yet that once incurred, is done with for ever; [struck: & the] whereas the principle established will be perpetually valuable; that is to say that the water shall be reduced to it's natural level as before the erection of the mills. It happens that nature furnishes the evidence of that; for it was fixed by a natural ridge of rocks running across the river at Henderson's mill. This [struck: threw] caused a reflux [inserted above: within my lines &] to within a small distance of my mill. Every stone therefore laid on this natural ridge for raising the water, was a wrong to me & must be removed. If I find I can get other stone as convenient for my mill, I shall [struck: leave] throw this into the water adjacent: If I cannot I think I shall take whatever of it suits me on the rule that he who confuses my property by mixing it with his own, thereby gives me his. I do not know whether the principal def[endent]. will oppose the execution. He may perhaps on [inserted: some] pretence of construction. I much wonder I did not state in the bill that all the defs. but three are infants, the youngest not more than 7 years old now. It appears only I suppose in the sheriff's returns, who served the process on the guardians of the infants. However we will let it go off as it is, as I am perfectly satisfied they can never shake the main principle of the decree. I am with esteem Sir Your most obedt. humble servt. Th. Jefferson Daniel Call esq.