Thomas Jefferson to David Melville, 8 February 1822
To David Melville
Monto Feb. 8. 22.
Sir
Your favor of Jan. 23. was recd yesterday only. the facts mentioned in it had never fallen under my observn, and consequently had never been the subject of my1 considn. were I better acqd with the structure of light houses or of the lanterns used in them, of both of which I am entirely ignorant, yet I have been too long unfamiliarised with speculns of that nature and am too heavily pressed by the hand of age to hazard any hypothesis explanatory [of]2 the facts.3 your idea of keeping the oil pellucid by the warmth of the lamp itself is ingenious plausible4 & valble and I wish success to the process you propose as well on your own account5 as that of the benighted mariner. with assurances of my esteem & respect
Dft (MoSHi: TJC-BC); on verso of RC of Melville to TJ, 23 Jan. 1822. Recorded in SJL as a letter to “Melville David of R.I.”
1. Word interlined.
2. Omitted word editorially supplied.
3. Preceding two words interlined in place of “it.”
4. Word interlined.
5. Reworked from “as well for your own sake.”