1From Thomas Jefferson to Edward Rutledge, 18 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor by Mr. Cutting, inclosing the paper from Doctr. Trumbull for which I am very thankful. The conjecture that inhabitants may have been carried from the coast of Africa to that of America by the trade winds is possible enough; and it’s probability would be greatly strengthened by ascertaining a similarity of language, which I consider as the strongest of all proofs...