Thomas Jefferson Papers

From Thomas Jefferson to William G. Munford, 27 February 1799

To William G. Munford

Philadelphia Feb. 27. 99.

Dear Sir

Your favor of Nov. 20. never came to my hands till the 14th. of Dec. just as I was setting off for this place. I had a little before addressed you a letter on the general subject of a course of reading. it was directed to New Kent court house as you had desired. I have been to most of the bookstores here and collected such of the books mentioned in the catalogue [you sent me]1 as could be found here. these are

  • Stewart’s philosophy of the human mind.
  • Vattel’s law of nations.
  • Smith’s wealth of nations.
  • Nicholson’s philosophy
  •  to these I have added
  • Chipman’s sketches on government
  • Condorcet’s progress of the human mind.
the little book of Chipman’s is a very excellent elementary book indeed. the author is now one of the Senators from Vermont. of Condorcet’s I need say nothing. every thing of his is of established reputation. I leave these books in the hands of mr John Barnes to be forwarded to mr Greenhow of Williamsburg with whom he is in the habit of corresponding, and I hope they will get safely to hand. I shall be very happy at all times to hear from you. being just now preparing for my departure for Virginia I must here conclude with assurances of the sincere regard of Dear Sir

Your friend & servt

Th: Jefferson

RC (DLC); addressed: “Mr. William Green […] College Wm. & Mary,” an “e” having been added to “Green,” probably not by TJ, and the recipient’s surname being torn away both in the address and at foot of text; year in dateline and endorsement altered to read “98”; endorsed in two unknown hands, including date of receipt 10 Mch. 1799, altered to 1798. Probably enclosed in the preceding letter.

For Munford’s Favor of Nov. 20, which has not been found, TJ’s missing letter on the general subject of a course of reading, probably written on 5 Dec., and the evident return of the above letter to TJ after Munford’s death, see note to Course of Reading for William G. Munford, [5 Dec. 1798].

1Words in brackets have been obliterated, probably not by TJ.

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