Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Messrs Edward Parker & Joseph Delaplaine, and his thanks for the communication of their prospectus for reprinting the Edinburgh Encyclopaedia. possessing already every Encyclopedia which has been published in France, Great Britain & America, & a library moreover vastly beyond his present wants, he has for some time ceased to make additions to it, & especially to engage for works which will take a longer time to compleat than he has probably to live. he therefore begs leave to decline becoming a subscriber to the work they propose to publish, tendering them at the same time his best wishes for it’s success & the assurances of his respect.