Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Thomas and his thanks for the copy of Ramsay’s life of Washington forwarded to him. but having recieved a copy as a subscriber, he has thought it improper to retain it, & therefore sends it by this mail to mr Thomas. as to the reading & giving an opinion on it, all the spare moments he can devote to the reading of books do not enable him to read an 8vo volume in a year: it is therefore not probable he shall be able to read this work while he remains in public business.