To Thomas Jefferson from James Ogilvie, 11 April 1802
From James Ogilvie
Stevensburg Academy April 11th. 1802
Sir,
I am this moment apprised that it is probable you will pass thro’ Stevensburg on the 15th. Inst: On that day, my junior pupils will undergo a public examination in the forenoon, & in the afternoon, original orations will be pronounced by the senior students. Indulging a hope, that you may find it convenient to honour the Academy with your presence, I take the liberty to observe, that few circumstances could afford me higher satisfaction, than the accomplishment of this hope.
I congratulate you on the glorious termination of your arduous political campaign, & enjoy elevated pleasure in expressing the sentiments of reverential respect & cordial esteem, which the patriotism, magnanimity and wisdom that continuously mark your conduct in the execution of your difficult, delicate & momentous duties, ought to kindle in every ingenious & impartial mind—
James Ogilvie
RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 6 May and so recorded in SJL with notation “Culpep. Acad.”; also endorsed by TJ: “Stevensbg academy.”
James Ogilvie taught at Fredericksburg Academy before becoming a professor at Stevensburg Academy in Culpeper, Virginia. There he wrote the pamphlet, Cursory Reflections on Government, Philosophy and Education, published in Alexandria in January 1802. He resigned from Stevensburg Academy the following year to pursue juvenile instruction “on a more conspicuous and extensive theatre” ( No. 3199; Alexandria Advertiser, 22 Jan. 1802; Richmond Virginia Argus, 22 Jan. 1803; Vol. 28:401–4).