1To John Adams from William S. Cardell, 24 February 1820 (Adams Papers)
I shall need no apology for addressing you on a subject which you will not deem unimportant as connected with the best interests of our country. This is the association of the leading Belles Lettres scholars throughout the United States as a national Philological Academy. To settle at once a point on which some differences might arise it is not designed independently of England to form an...
2William S. Cardell to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 26] February 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall need neither apology nor a long introducting introduction in addressing you on a subject which you will not deem unimportant as connected with the good of our country. This is an association of the best Belles Lettres scholars of the United States as a national philological Academy. To settle a point on which some difference might exist, it is not designed to form an American Language...
3From John Adams to William S. Cardell, 3 March 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have received and read with more pleasure than I can express your polite and elegant Letter of the 24 Febry—The plan of a Philological Academy is so extensive and magnificent that though I am excedingly delighted with it—I have not sufficient knowledge—nor at my Advanced Age the patience of the thinking necessary to consider it in all its parts—and to foresee all the difficulties that may...
4To James Madison from William S. Cardell, 4 March 1820 (Madison Papers)
Though my name is signed individually to the enclosed circular you will not, unknown to you as I am, consider me as acting without the concurrence of the first Scholars and the first citizens in this vicinity. The subject is considered as resting on its own merits or I should have asked a distinguished gentleman personally acquainted with you to enclose my letter. There is a particular anxiety...
5Thomas Jefferson to William S. Cardell, 8 March 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
Continued ill health, with little prospect of better renders me all but unable to acknolege the reciept of your favor of Feb. and equally so to add any thing to your own able developements of the subject it presents for consideration. with one foot in the grave, it would be very inconsiderate in me to engage in new enterprises which require, to effect them all the vigour and length of years...
6To John Adams from William S. Cardell, 11 January 1821 (Adams Papers)
The literary institution on which I before had the honor to address you has become organized with very encouraging prospects. The enclosed circular which is in part an amplification of my former letter explains the outlines as far as it was thought proper to form them by anticipation. The officers elected are His Ex. J. Q. Adams President–Judge Livingston, Judge Story and Hon. William Loundes...
7William S. Cardell to Thomas Jefferson, 11 January 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor to address you in February last , in behalf of a number of Gentlemen, on the subject of a literary an institution for promoting the literature of our country. The correspondence on the subject has been extensive and interesting, and the society is organised under very encouraging prospects. The en c losed circular which is in part an amplification of my former letter will...
8Enclosure: Circular from American Academy of Language and Belles Lettres to Thomas Jefferson, 1 October 1820, enclosure … (Jefferson Papers)
Your attention is respectfully requested to an association of Scholars for the purpose of improving American literature. This association, though yet at its commencement and unknown to the public, has been the subject of an interesting correspondence for some months past; and it is believed will not be deemed unimportant as connected with the best interests of our country. To settle at once a...
9To James Madison from William S. Cardell, 12 January 1821 (Madison Papers)
The literary institution on which I before had the honor to address you has become organised with very encouraging prospects. The enclosed circular which is in part an amplification of my former letter explains the outlines as far as it was thought proper to form them by anticipation. The officers elected are His Ex. J. Q. Adams President. Judge Livingston, Judge Story Hon. William Lowndes, V....
10From James Madison to William S. Cardell, 19 January 1821 (Madison Papers)
I have recd your letter of the 12th. inclosing a copy of your Circular one, on the subject of the “American Academy of Language & Belles Lettres.” It informs me at the same time that the Society has been pleased to put [me] on the list of its honorary members. I request Sir, that they may be assured of the respectful impressions with which I receive this mark of distinction. Having heretofore...