Thomas Jefferson to Francis Preston, 21 December 1818
To Francis Preston
Monticello Dec. 21. 18.
Dear Sir
I send with pleasure an introductory letter for your son to mr Stewart. with mr Leslie I have not a personal acquaintance, and must have expressed myself carelessly to have been otherwise understood.1 indirect circumstances would give me a right to apply to him with confidence on behalf of our College, but no claim on his personal attentions. mr Stewart however will, I am sure, make your son acquainted with him and such other literary characters as he may wish to know personally,
I offer you2 with great sincerity, the assurance of my particular esteem & high respect.
Th: Jefferson
Dft (MHi); on verso of reused address cover of Joseph Dougherty to TJ, 21 Sept. 1818; at foot of text: “<H. E. Governor> Francis Preston. esq.”; endorsed by TJ. Enclosure: TJ to Dugald Stewart, 21 Dec. 1818.
1. Reworked from “carelessly if you understood me otherwise.”
2. Preceding three words interlined in place of “I am waiting with great anxiety the determination of the legislature on the establishment of our University. I tender to your Excellency.”
Index Entries
- Central College; mentioned search
- Leslie, Sir John; and Central College–University of Virginia search
- Leslie, Sir John; introduction to sought search
- Preston, Francis; letter to search
- Preston, Francis; seeks letters of introduction for son search
- Preston, William Campbell; TJ introduces search
- Stewart, Dugald; TJ introduces W. C. Preston to search
- Virginia, University of; Establishment; and General Assembly search
- Virginia; General Assembly search