Thomas Jefferson to Rodolphus Dickinson, 24 April 1813
To Rodolphus Dickinson
Monticello Apr. 24. 13.
Sir
Be pleased to1 accept my thanks for your ‘View of Massachusets proper.’ a volume of facts is worth more than2 whole libraries of speculations and fermentations of the brain; and those respecting Massachusets will continue to be interesting whether she continues an American state, or becomes a British province. a mind which in youth takes the useful direction of facts, promises much to3 our real knolege in it’s advancement thro’ life. may you go on then as you have begun and add to those sentiments of respect and thankfulness with which I salute you.
Th: Jefferson
RC (ViU: TJP); addressed: “Rodolphus Dickinson esquire Greenfield Massachusets”; frank clipped; postmarked Charlottesville, 28 Apr. PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ. Tr (MDeeP: Dickinson Family Papers); in Dickinson’s hand; misdated 5 Apr. 1813.
1. Preceding three words omitted in Tr.
2. Preceding two words omitted in Tr.
3. Remainder of sentence in Tr reads “the advance of our knowledge in its future course.”
Index Entries
- A Geographical and Statistical View of Massachusetts Proper (Dickinson) search
- books; on Massachusetts search
- Dickinson, Rodolphus; A Geographical and Statistical View of Massachusetts Proper search
- Dickinson, Rodolphus; letters to search
- Jefferson, Thomas; Books & Library; receives books search
- Jefferson, Thomas; Opinions on; facts vs. speculation search
- Massachusetts; works on search