To James Madison from Edward Everett, [3 December 1826]
From Edward Everett
Same date [3 December 1826]
Dear sir,
Mr David W. Jones just arrived in N.Y. from England, with excellent recommendations from high Sources is desirous to be employed As a teacher of the Ancient languages. I have been desired by a Much respected friend to endeavor to procure him A place.1 He is represented to Me As a person “Who loves the languages for their Own sake And who w’d take pleasure in the Work of teaching them; in Other Words he is the kind of teacher whom in the present State of classical literature We Most Need.”
It has Occurred to Me as possible that in the University of V’a A place As tutor or instructor of Some kind Might be found for Such A person, And My object in Writing is to Ascertain that fact. I Sh’d Not have ventured to trouble You With the enquiry had I known to whom else it Cd properly be addressed. I am D’r s’r with the highest respect Faithfully Yours
Letterbook copy (MHi: Edward Everett Papers). Undated; conjectural date assigned based on JM’s acknowledgment of receipt of “your letter of the 3d. inst:” in JM to Everett, 18 Dec. 1826. Addressed to JM as rector of the University of Virginia.
1. William E. Channing wrote to Everett on 1 December 1826 to inquire whether he could help David W. Jones acquire a position in one of “the new institutions which are springing up in the south & west” (MHi: William Ellery Channing Papers).