1From Thomas Jefferson to David Campbell, 14 March 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I have long been of opinion that the only means we can have of coming at the descent and relations among the Indians, is by a collection & comparative view of their languages. for this purpose I have never failed to avail myself of any opportunity to get their vocabularies . I have now a large collection, & for fear that in case of any accident they should be lost, I am about to print them. I...