To Thomas Jefferson from Mann Page, 3 July 1795
From Mann Page
Mann’sfield. July 3rd. 1795
Dear Sir
I have been requested to forward to you the enclosed Letter, which, as it relates to a subject, that I know, has long engaged your Attention, will, I am sure, be favourably received by you. I also send you a Publication in the Paper of this Day on the same Subject by the same Gentleman. If any thing can draw you from your Retirement, I am confidint that the Solicitation now made will not be ineffectual. The Importance of the Subject demands your Attention. A public Seminary requests your Sentiments on the Mode of Education which is pursued in it. And your Friends, who are the Trustees of the Academy, solicit your Advice on this important Occasion. You will not, I hope, refuse the Call of Mankind, of your Country and of your Friends but that you will come over. I shall feel myself happy to be honoured with your Company during the Time of the Examination. I am, dear sir, most sincerely your’s affecately.
Mann Page
RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 14 July 1795 and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) James Ogilvie to TJ, [before 3 July 1795]. (2) Ogilvie to “Fellow-Citizens,” a long discourse on educational philosophy, presenting principles to improve the system of education, justifying his departure from prescriptive modes of education, and announcing a public examination to be held at Fredericksburg Academy during the second week of August (Virginia Herald, and Fredericksburg Advertiser, 3 July 1795).
Page was president of the trustees of Fredericksburg Academy (Virginia Herald, and Fredericksburg Advertiser, 31 July 1795). “Monitor” later called Ogilvie’s published notice for the examination at Fredericksburg Academy “a piece of florid plagiarism” by “a vain and presumptuous pedant.” Ogilvie in reply branded Monitor “a malignant defamer” whose criticism gave “singular proof of mental imbecility” (same, 14, 21, 31 July 1795).
A letter from Page to TJ of 7 Jan. 1795, recorded in SJL as received 12 Feb. 1795, has not been found.