Thomas Jefferson Papers

Thomas Jefferson to William Duane, 9 December 1818

To William Duane

Monticello Dec. 9. 18.

Dear Sir

I have long ceased to read newspapers, except a single one of my own state, and that chiefly for the advertisements. perfectly resigned as a passenger to those who are navigating the vessel of state, and with entire confidence in them, I scarcely enquire, or wish to know what is passing. age has relieved me from these cares, and now calls for tranquility & rest. under these circumstances it is useless to be recieving papers which I never open, and troublesome & difficult to make small & fractional remittances into other states. a proof of the latter is my now remitting a 5. Dollar bill of the Bank of Virga because one of the US. bank cannot be had in this interior part of the country. I believe this remittance pays my subscription to the Aurora to May 18. of the ensuing year, after which I must pray to be discontinued as a subscriber. in retiring from it I make my acknolegements for the signal services it rendered us in times which severely tried the republicanism of our fellow citizens, and I salute you with my best wishes for your prosperity, health & happiness.

Th: Jefferson

PoC (DLC); on verso of reused address cover to TJ; at foot of text: “Genl William Duane”; endorsed by TJ, with his additional notation: “Newspapers.” Recorded in SJL with bracketed notation: “5.D.”

The single one was the Richmond Enquirer.

Index Entries

  • Aurora (Philadelphia newspaper); TJ’s subscription to search
  • Bank of the United States, Second; currency of search
  • Bank of Virginia (Richmond); banknotes of search
  • Duane, William; as editor of PhiladelphiaAurora search
  • Duane, William; letters to search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Books & Library; and newspaper subscriptions search
  • newspapers; PhiladelphiaAurora search
  • newspapers; politics of search
  • Philadelphia; Aurora search
  • Republican party; and newspapers search
  • Richmond Enquirer (newspaper); TJ subscribes to search
  • subscriptions, for publications; newspapers search