The Lancastrian system of education was proposed w[hen?] I was too much engaged in business to attend to it; and after my retirement I considered it as the commencement of a system which was to go into operation with another generation and with which of course I should have nothing to do. I have therefore neve[r] read a sentence on the subject, nor know a single element of [it?] consequently am totally unqualified to recommend it to others, an[d] were1 it moral to recommend what I know nothing about, it would only degrade myself without honoring your bo[ok.] under these circumstances you must be so good as to excus[e] my declining it, and with my best wishes for it’s success if it b[e] really useful, I tender you the assurance of my respect

Th: Jefferso[n]