Includes bibliographical references (p. 209-233) and index.

My passion for collecting -- My passions for freedom of speech, criminal law, and Thomas Jefferson -- Finding the Jefferson letter -- The provenance of the Jefferson-Broadman letter -- Where we have come since 1826 -- Jefferson's first argument : an expressed opinion can never constitute an overt act -- Jefferson's second argument : if conscience is the umpire then each judge's conscience will govern -- Jefferson's third argument : we have nothing to fear from the demoralizing reasonings of some, if others are left free to demonstrate their errors -- Jefferson's fourth argument : the law stands ready to punish the first criminal act produced by the false reasoning? -- Jefferson's fifth argument : "these are safer correctives than the conscience of a judge" -- Jefferson's views on the terrorism of his era -- Jefferson's actions in the Burr case -- Jefferson's views on torture, habeus corpus, and other issues currently debated in the context of terrorism -- How would Jefferson strike the balance between freedom of speech and prevention of terrorism? -- My view, as influenced by Jefferson and the experiences of our time.