in 1811. It will be the text-book of the political lectures of the University. The buildings of the University (except the library) will all be finished the ensuing winter. Towards this object the Legislature permitted an advance of $120,000 from the Literary Fund, but under the name of a loan, taking in pledge our annuity of $15,000. If it is to be really redeemed by this, many years will be necessary to clear that fund, but it is hoped they will consider it as an appropriation, and discharge the annuity. Within one year after that discharge, we may open the institution, as it will require that time to bring our professors into place. Mr. Watts' when here asked me for a copy of the report containing the plan of that institution; I did not know then that I had a spare copy; I have since found one which I inclose for his acceptance, with the tender of my great respect. Our family is all well, remember you always with affection, and join me in hope you will be able to visit us during your next vacation, as they do in assuring you of our constant attachment. TH. JEFFERSON. DEAR FRANCIS: TO FRANCIS EPPES, COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA. POPLAR FOREST, Nov. 17, 1821. On my return to this place on the 6th inst., I found here your letter of Oct. 22d. I learnt from that with real affliction that it was doubtful whether you would be permitted at Columbia to pursue those studies only which will be analogous to the views and pursuits of your future life. It is a deplorable consideration that, although neither your father nor myself have spared any effort in our power to press on your education, yet so miserable are the means of education in our State that it has been retarded and baffled to a most unfortunate degree; and now that you have only a single year left, you cannot be permitted to employ that solely in what will be useful to you. Every institution, however, has a right to lay down its own laws, and we are bound to acquiescence. There seems, from your letter, to be still a possibility that you may be permitted to remain as an irregular student; that is the most desirable event; if not, then to obtain from Dr. Cooper and Mr. Wallace the favor of attending them as a private student, unconnected with the college. From them you can receive every instruction necessary for you, to wit, in Mathematics, Astronomy, Natural Philosophy, and Chemistry. If that cannot be permitted, there will remain nothing but the disastrous alternative of again shifting your situation. I know nothing of the plan or degree of instruction at Chapel Hill; perhaps you might be excluded there also, by similar rules. If so, William and Mary is your last resource. There students are permitted to attend the schools of their choice and those branches of science only which will be useful to them in the line of life they propose. The objection to that place is its autumnal unhealthiness. The thankfulness you express for my cares of you bespeaks a feeling and good heart; but the tender recollections which bind my affections to you are such as will forever call for everything I can do for you, and the comfort of my life is the belief that you will deserve it. To my prayers that your life may be distinguished by its worth, I add the assurance of my constant and affectionate love. TH. JEFFERSON. 1 Beaufort T. Watts, Secretary of State, S. C. DEAR FRANCIS: TO FRANCIS EPPES, MILLBROOK. MONTICELLO, April 9, 1822. Your letter of March 22d did not reach me till a few days ago; that of Feb. 6th had been received in that month. Being chiefly a statement of facts it did not seem to require an answer, and my burden of letter-writing is so excessive as to restrain me to answers absolutely necessary. I think with you that you had now better turn in to the study of the law. As no one can read a whole day closely on any one subject to advantage, you will have time enough in the other portions of the day to go on with those essential studies which you have not as yet completed. If you read law from breakfast four or five hours, enough will remain before dinner for exercise. The morning may be given to Natural Philosophy and Astronomy, the afternoon to Rhetoric and Belles Lettres, and the night to history and ethics. The first object will be to procure the necessary law-books for reading. They will come twenty-five per cent. cheaper from England than bought here, and some indeed can only be had there. I will subjoin a catalogue of what should be obtained as soon as practicable, and their cost there. About as much the next year will be a sufficient library for reference in practice. The course of reading I should advise, would be Coke's Littleton, and his other Institutes. Bacon's Abridgment, Blackstone's Commentaries, Woodson's Lectures, and Reeves in Common Law; and in Chancery, the abridgment of cases in equity, Bridgman's Digested Index, and Fonblanque, interspersing some select case from the reporters both in law and equity. The course will employ two years to be superficial, and three to be profound. This may be done at Millbrook or Monticello as well as in the lawyer's office. You know, of course, that you are as much at home at Monticello as at Millbrook, so that you can choose freely, or divide your time between them to your own wish. You would have perhaps less interruption by company at Millbrook, but access here to books which may not be there. I have fortunately just received from England, Thomas's Coke's Littleton, a most valuable work. He has arranged Coke's matter in the method of Blackstone, adding the notes of Lords Hale and Nottingham and Hairgraves, adding also his own which are excellent. It is now, beyond question, the first elementary book to be read—as agreeable as Blackstone, and more profound. This will employ you fully till the other books can be received from England. They will cost there about $200, to which is to be added duties, about thirty dollars freight and charges. If I can be useful in procuring them, I shall be so with pleasure. The sum I have to pay your father, is about sufficient to accomplish it, and shall be so applied if it is his pleasure. I shall be in Bedford during the last week of this month and the first of the next; you will of course visit us there or here, when we can make more particular arrangements. I have here the two best works on Natural Philosophy, and Astronomy, Hauy and Biot, which I have imported for you from Paris, knowing they were not to be had here. Present me affectionately to Mr. and Mrs. Eppes, and be assured of my warmest attachment to yourself. TH. JEFFERSON. Bracton, English; Brooke's Abridgment, 4to. edition; Thomas's Coke's Littleton, 3 vols. 8vo.; Coke's 2d, 3d, and 4th Institutes, 3 vols. 8vo.; Bacon's Abridgment, by Gwyllim, 7 vols. 8vo., the last edition; Comyn's Digest, by Manning, a new edition; Blackstone's Commentaries, by Christian, 15th edition, 4 vols. 8vo.; Wood son's Lectures, 3 vols. 8vo.; Reeves' History of the English Law, 4 vols. 8vo.; Jacob's Law Dictionary, by Ruffhead, fol.; Abridgment of Cases in Equity; Bridgman's Digested Index of Cases in Chancery, 3 vols. 8vo.; Fonblanque's Treatise of Equity, 5th edition, 1819, 2 vols., 8vo. DEAR FRANCIS: TO FRANCIS EPPES, MILLBROOK. MONTICELLO, June 12, 1822. I received while at Poplar Forest yours of May 13th, and am glad to learn that you find Coke's Littleton not as difficult as you expected. The methodical arrangement of his work, and the new notes and cases, have certainly been a great improvement. According to your information I have retained in my hands enough to import for you this edition of Coke's Littleton and Bacon's Abridgment. The present high exchange, our enormous duties, and other charges bring them very high. Still I observe the Bacon will come at $45 89, which is $4 less than the American price. The Coke's Littleton being a new publication, comes to $10 a volume, of which more than $1 a volume is our own duty. At the close of your reading of the first volume we shall hope to see you. I suppose you have heard that the Trists have lost their mother. Ever affectionately yours, CHAPTER XII. 1823-1825. An Accident-Correspondence of 1823-On Style-On O'Meara's Voice from St. Helena -Complaint that the Republican side of American History is Unwritten-Declares that the breaking up of hordes of Private Letters will ultimately disclose the truth -Considers J. Q. Adams unfriendly to himself To Monroe, on Interference of Holy Alliance in South America-On the Acquisition of Cuba-On the Proposition of England to join in Resisting Interference of the Holy Alliance-The "Monroe Doctrine" proposed to Monroe six weeks before he announced it-John Adams's Cunningham Correspondence Published-Jefferson to Mr. Adams, on the Strictures it contained on himself Their remaining Correspondence-Jefferson's Expressions in regard to the Presidential Candidates in 1823-Letter to George Ticknor-Their previous Acquaintance-Jefferson's Absorbing Topic in 1824-Selection of Professors of the University-To Dr. Sparks, on Emancipation and Colonization-To Garnett, on Constitutional Amendments-To Englebrecht, on 15th Psalm of David-Reconciliation with Edward Livingston-Correspondence with the old "Heart of Sedition" in England-Displeasure with Cartwright, and its Termination-Correspondence with Henry Lee-Lafayette's Visit to the United States-Jefferson proposes a Public Testimonial to him-Lafayette's Visit to Monticello-The Banquet Jefferson's Speech -Ticknor and Daniel Webster Visit Monticello-Webster's Account of his VisitRemarks ascribed to Jefferson in regard to Wirt's Life of Henry, and to the Character of General Jackson-A Letter from one of Mr. Jefferson's Family on the subjectJefferson's Feelings towards Wirt, and his habitual way of speaking of Henry-His Feelings towards General Jackson-Mr. Jefferson Twice in a Rage-His Remarks on the Presidential Candidates in 1824-Arrival of the Professors, and Opening of the University-Jefferson's Estimate of the Professors-Dr. Dunglison's MemorandaExtracts from these Memoranda-The University Buildings-Architecture-All the Professors Foreigners-Jefferson's Illness-His Ideas of Physic-Jefferson at his Table, his Visitors, etc.-His Manners-His Openness in Conversation-Lafayette's Second Visit to Monticello-Levasseur's Statements-The Dinner in the RotundaLafayette's Solicitude for Jefferson's Health-Sends Instruments to him from FranceProposes to send Dr. Cloquet-Laws of the University-Republicanism thought unable to stand against College Burschenschaft-Difficulties in the University-Mr. Jefferson's Attentions to the Students. A LITTLE before the close of 1822 Mr. Jefferson met with an accident, which caused him a good deal of inconvenience. Descending from one of his terraces, a decayed step gave way under his feet, and he was precipitated at full length to the ground, breaking his left arm. The bone became well knitted again in course of a couple of months, but the hand and fingers remained useless for a long period, in consequence of an edematous swelling. Indeed, the use and strength of the arm and hand were never entirely recovered. His right wrist, as before stated, continued to grow stiffer and feebler as the debility of age increased-and therefore he was henceforth partially crippled in both hands. This added intolerably to the weariness and irksomeness of writing. His correspondence in 1823 opens with a letter to Mr. Edward Everett (February 24th), which contains several historical facts already cited, and some not uninteresting literary criticisms. Here are his comments on style to a celebrated master of style: 66 By analyzing too minutely we often reduce our subject to atoms, of which the mind loses its hold. Nor am I a friend to a scrupulous purism of style. I readily sacrifice the niceties of syntax to euphony and strength. It is by boldly neglecting the rigorisms of grammar, that Tacitus has made himself the strongest writer in the world. The hypercritics call him barbarous; but I should be sorry to exchange his barbarisms for their wire-drawn purisms. Some of his sentences are as strong as language can make them. Had he scrupulously filled up the whole of their syntax, they would have been merely common. To explain my meaning by an English example, I will quote the motto of one, I believe, of the regicides of Charles I., "Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God." Correct its syntax, "Rebellion against tyrants is obedience to God," it has lost all the strength and beauty of the antithesis. The publication of O'Meara's Voice from St. Helena, materially changed Mr. Jefferson's estimate of Napoleon's civic qualities, and moved him to commiseration for his personal sufferings: "I have just finished [he wrote Mr. Adams, February 25th] reading O'Meara's Bonaparte. It places him in a higher scale of understanding than I had allotted him. I had thought him the greatest of all military captains, but an indifferent statesman, and misled by unworthy passions. The flashes, however, which escaped from him in these conversations with O'Meara, prove a mind of great expansion, although not of distinct development and reasoning. He seizes results with rapidity and penetration, but never explains logically the process of reasoning by which he 1 He here quotes from the Epitaph on John Bradshaw, already mentioned as having. been found among his papers, with a note attached by him, conjecturing that it was only a supposititious epitaph, and in reality an inspiration of Dr. Franklin. (See vol. i. pp.. 231, 232.) If the last conjecture was correct (and Dr. Franklin was certainly fond, on occasion, of playing the part of a literary Puck), still, for aught we know, the motto may have belonged to Bradshaw. |