1From Thomas Jefferson to the Editor of the Journal de Paris, 29 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am a citizen of the United states of America, and have passed in those states almost the whole of my life. When young, I was passionately fond of reading books of history, and travels. Since the commencement of the late revolution which separated us from Great Britain, our country too has been thought worthy to employ the pens of historians and travellers. I cannot paint to you, Sir, the...