1Thomas Jefferson to Thomas W. White, 5 February 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
The state of my health permits me, but with pain, to write even the short acknolegement of a letter . I am moreover too much unacquainted with the general taste to know what would suit it , or to judge what book would be of ready sale; and I should be sorry to advise an unprofitable one. there is a valuable history of Englan d Baxter ’s, which I have long wished reprinted here. it was too...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Willis White, 11 December 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
In answer to your letter of Nov. 29. I can say no more than I did to that of Jan. 26. 20. I know no book particularly interesting to us to be reprinted here but Baxter’s history of England which I then mentioned. it’s principles were too republican for the meridian of London, and it therefore has never been reprinted there as far as I have been able to learn . it would make 3. or 4. vols 8 vo...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Willis White, 7 January 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
The copy of Baxter’s history which is in the Library of Congress cannot possibly be borrowed. it is against the law establishing their library. but you might get it from London, within 4. months, thro’ any importing merchant or bookseller of Richmond. There is a new work in Law published in England, which will be of extensive sale in this country among the Lawyers. it is a Digest of Coke...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Willis White, 15 August 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I must beg to be excused from writing the prospectus for your edn of Thomas’s Co Littleton. I have made it a point never to be the recommender of books to the public. it would be presumption in any case but especially in that of a book addressed to a learned profession as that of the law so entirely capable of judging for themselves . I suggested, at your request, this book as one the ability...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Willis White, 8 December 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your letter of the 3 d proposing for my acceptance a book, on which you wish me to give an opinion, which you should be at liberty to publish. this I invariably decline. I have neither the talents, the taste, nor the time for the office of a Reviewer of books. such an undertaking, if executed with fidelity to the publick, would require me to read the book with critical...