1Thomas Jefferson to William Duane, 18 January 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I promised you, in a former letter , a short Proem to be prefixed to our book, which I now inclose. it’s object is the concealment of the author, to whom that is a circumstance of first importance. I observe that the three last packets of about 130. or 140. pages, (two of which were returned by the last post, & the 3 d by this) bear marks of much hastier translation than those preceding. I...
2Enclosure: Thomas Jefferson’s Preface for Destutt de Tracy’s Commentary on Montesqueiu, [ca. 18 January 1811] (Jefferson Papers)
The Author to his fellow citizens of the United States of America . I am a Frenchman by birth and education. I was an early friend to the revolution of France , and continued to support it until those entrusted with it’s helm had evidently changed it’s object direction. flying then from the tyrannies of the monster Robespierre , I found, and still enjoy safety, freedom, & hospitality among...