Thomas Jefferson Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/03-13-02-0191

Robert Walsh to Thomas Jefferson, 1 August 1818

From Robert Walsh

Philadelphia August 1st 1818

Dear Sir

I send you another No of the Analectic magazine;—not, however, as to a subscriber. It was by no means my intention to subject you to a double tax. That of even looking thro’ such light matter is enough, and, perhaps, the more onerous of the two in your estimation. I have no pecuniary interest in the circulation of this journal.

There is no branch of “internal improvement” in which I feel so deep a concern as in that of liberal instruction; and I do not expect to See a proper Institute formed in this Country but under Such auspices as your’s, & those of the few men whom you may train to the right mode of thinking on the subject. It gives me, therefore, infinite pleasure to hear of your fair prospects at Charte’s-Ville. In a short notice of Mr Breck’s pamphlet in the no of the A. magazine now sent, I have thrown out a few loose ideas Concerning a Faculty of Moral science in the University of Pennsya.

I pray you not to think of returning Grimm, until the members of your excellent family have fully satisfied their Curiosity. I sincerely wish I could contribute further to their gratification in the same or any other way.

most respectfully & faithly Your obt servt

Robert Walsh Jr

RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 1 Sept. 1818 and so recorded in SJL. RC (DLC); address cover only; with PoC of TJ to Mathew Carey, 28 Nov. 1818, on verso; addressed: “Thomas Jefferson Esqre Monticello Virginia”; franked; postmarked Philadelphia, 3 Aug.

On pp. 148–55 of the enclosed issue of the analectic magazine, vol. 12, no. 2 (Aug. 1818), Walsh reviewed Samuel breck’s Sketch of the Internal Improvements already made by Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, 1818). Walsh acknowledged the strengths of the University of Pennsylvania while elaborating on what he perceived to be its failings. He called for reduced focus on medical science, with its emphasis on the highest-paid careers, and increased attention to the moral sciences, “which lead to the most perfect civilization” and a “closer connexion with our sublimest and dearest interests, the religious and political” (pp. 151–2).

Index Entries

  • Breck, Samuel (1771–1862); Sketch of the Internal Improvements already made by Pennsylvania search
  • Central College; as state university of Va. search
  • Correspondance littéraire, philosophique et critique (F. M. Grimm) search
  • Grimm, Friedrich Melchior, baron von; Correspondance littéraire, philosophique et critique search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Books & Library; works sent to search
  • Pennsylvania, University of search
  • schools and colleges; University of Pennsylvania search
  • Sketch of the Internal Improvements already made by Pennsylvania (S. Breck) search
  • The Analectic Magazine search
  • Walsh, Robert; andAnalectic Magazine search
  • Walsh, Robert; and Central College search
  • Walsh, Robert; and F. M. Grimm’sCorrespondance littéraire, philosophique et critique search
  • Walsh, Robert; letters from search