The principle that every religious sect is to maintain it’s own teachers and institutions is too reasonable and too well established in our country to need justification. I have been, from my infancy a member of the Episcopalian church, and to that I owe and make my contributions. were I to go beyond that limit in favor of any other sectarian institution, I should be equally bound to do so for every other; and their number is beyond the faculties of any individual. I believe therefore that in this, as in every other case, every thing will be better conducted, if left to those immediately interested. on these grounds I trust that your candor will excuse my returning the inclosed paper without my subscription: and that you will accept the assurance of my great personal respect & esteem

Th: Jefferson