Your favor of Jan. 22. came to hand last night, with the papers of mr Graham inclosed. of all mechanical machines existing, the steam engine is that which I have the least studied. the principle we all understand; and the structure of the original one I understood when at College. but have never since paid the least attention to the multiplied improvements which have changed nearly every thing but the principle. this is a special reason for returning mr Graham’s papers without any opinion on them. but a general reason, and one which, if I give any answer at all, I now give to all such applications, and to all men on every subject, except to my personal friends, or on affairs of duty, is that I am grown old, and worn down by the drudgery of the writing table. repose and tranquility are become necessaries of life for me. nor will you think me unreasonable when I assure you that from the moment of my retirement from Washington, I have labored dayly from sunrise to XII. or I. aclock, say from [7] to 8. hours a day, answering letters, few of which are of the least concern to myself; and that instead of their decreasing as I had long had the hope, I have been obliged for many months past to rise from table & write from dinner to dark: insomuch that no office I ever was in has been so laborious as my supposed state of retirement at Monticello. unable to bear up longer against it, either in body or mind, I am obliged to declare myself in a state of insurgency, and to assume my right to live out the dregs of life at least, without being under the whip & spur from morning to night. I hope you will explain all this, with my best respects to Colo Taylor, that you will call on us on your return, and be assured of my constant & affectionate attachment & respect.

Th: Jefferson