Thomas Jefferson Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/03-03-02-0287

Nicolas G. Dufief to Thomas Jefferson, 24 February 1811

From Nicolas G. Dufief

A Philadelphie ce 24 Février 1811

Monsieur,

Je vous adresse par la poste & de la manière que vous m’avez indiquée, les livres au Sujet desquels j’ai eu l’honneur de vous écrire, & dont l’envoi a été retardé par des circonstances imprévues. Je regrette infiniment que le format du dictionnaire et le caractère Sur lequel il a été imprimé Soient Si peu d’accord avec vos intentions, mais, Monsieur, la crainte que le prix qu’il eût fallu demander pour des in 4to ne nuisît au Succès général de l’ouvrage m’a forcé de préférer un format in 12o & un très petit caractère. Je me flatte, cependant qu’un défaut aussi grand ne vous empêchera pas de parcourir un livre qui n’a été composé que pour l’utilité publique & pour répondre aux vues des personnes qui, comme vous, accordent une protection éclairée aux Arts & aux Sciences

Il m’a été impossible, Jusqu’à présent, de trouver le livre que vous m’avez demandé & celui que Mr Warden désirait vous faire passer. Je continuerai mes recherches

Agréez, avec votre bonté ordinaire, les Sentimens de respect & de reconnaissance avec lesquels, Je Suis, Monsieur,
Votre très-dévoué Serviteur

N. G. Dufief

Editors’ Translation

Philadelphia 24 February 1811

Sir,

I send you by mail, and in the manner that you indicated, the books about which I had the honor to write you, and whose shipping was postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. I regret immensely that the format of the dictionary and the font used to print it are so little in keeping with your wishes, but, Sir, the fear that the selling price of a 4to should be an obstacle to the general success of the book compelled me to prefer a format in 12o and a very small font. I flatter myself, however, in thinking that even so big a defect will not prevent you from skimming through a book that was composed for public use and in answer to the needs of people who, like you, accord an enlightened protection to the arts and sciences

It has been impossible for me, so far, to find the book that you asked for and the one that Mr. Warden wished me to send to you. I will continue to look for them

Please accept with your usual kindness the sentiments of respect and gratitude with which I am, Sir,
Your very devoted servant

N. G. Dufief

RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Th: Jefferson, Esqre”; endorsed by TJ as received 5 Mar. 1811 and so recorded in SJL. Translation by Dr. Roland H. Simon. Enclosure: Dufief, A New Universal and Pronouncing Dictionary of the French and English Languages, 3 vols. (Philadelphia, 1810; Sowerby, description begins E. Millicent Sowerby, comp., Catalogue of the Library of Thomas Jefferson, 1952–59, 5 vols. description ends no. 4822; Poor, Jefferson’s Library description begins Nathaniel P. Poor, Catalogue. President Jefferson’s Library [1829] description ends , 14 [no. 881]).

Index Entries

  • A New Universal and Pronouncing Dictionary of the French and English Languages (N. G. Dufief) search
  • books; sent by N. G. Dufief search
  • Dufief, Nicolas Gouin; A New Universal and Pronouncing Dictionary of the French and English Languages search
  • Dufief, Nicolas Gouin; letters from search
  • French language; dictionaries search
  • French language; letters in, from; N. G. Dufief search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Books & Library; works sent to search
  • Lettres sur la Vieillesse (Meister) search
  • Meister, Jacques Henri; Lettres sur la Vieillesse search
  • subscriptions, for publications; dictionaries search
  • Warden, David Bailie; sends publications to TJ search