Understanding that the professorship of Mathematicks in the University of Virginia is vacant, I take the liberty of requesting that Mr. Francis Grund, who is now in Boston, may have an opportunity of exhibiting his pretensions as a candidate for that situation. He is a native of Vienna, and received his education in the universities of Germany; but he has been several years in England & the United States, and is capable of communicating fluently & intelligibly in our language. He has no passion but the love of fame, and this only in reference to Mathematicks. I am induced to believe, from the representations of the first men in Boston, that he is not surpassed in genius by any, and in learning by few, in the United States. His method is said to be quite original; and, in the solution of mathematical questions, he is remarkable for his success in simplifying the ordinary processes. His pretensions will be set forth at large by those, who know him better, if his friends are permitted to hope for his success in making application for the situation above referred to.

I have taken the liberty of addressing you, because I feel an earnest wish that the talents of this young gentleman, which are undoubtedly of a high order, should be preserved to our country by offering him inducements to remain in it; and I have no hesitation in predicting, that he will prove an invaluable addition to the university of Virginia, if that institution should be disposed to engage his services. Will you allow me to offer my respects to Mrs. Madison, and to assure you of the profound respect, with which I am, Sir, your mo. obt. Servt.