James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 November 1821
From James Madison
Montpellier Novr 10. 1821
Dear Sir
I return the several papers which accompanied yours of the 30th Ult: I have interlined with a pencil for your consideration a very slight change in the petition to Congress, and another in the Report to the P. & D. of the Lit: Fund. The first is intended to parry objections from the reprinters of foreign books, by a phraseology not precluding exceptions in their favor. The exceptions can be made without injury to the main object; and altho not necessary for the protection of the American Editions, the greater cheapness here being a sufficient one, will probably1 be called for by the patrons of domestic industry. I find that besides the few Classics for schools, and popular works others of solid value continue2 to be republished in the Northern Cities. The other interlineation suggests the objects other than the Library to be provided for3 in the Pantheon. It will aid in accounting for the estimated cost, and may otherwise mitigate difficulties.4
The view you take of the question of commencing the Library and trusting to the alternative with the Legislature will claim for it a fair consideration with the Visitors. I shall endeavor to be with you at [the]5 time you have fixed for their meeting.
James Madison
RC (DLC: Madison Papers); endorsed by TJ as received 20 Nov. 1821 and so recorded in SJL. RC: left half of address cover only (MHi), with Dft of TJ to Archibald Robertson, 27 Feb. 1823, on verso; right half of address cover only (DLC), with Dft of TJ to John A. Graham, 9 Mar. 1823, on verso; addressed: “Thomas Jefferson Monticello near Charlottesville Virginia”; franked; postmarked Orange Court House, 14 Nov. Dft (DLC: Madison Papers, Rives Collection); on verso of portion of reused address cover of TJ to Madison, 30 Oct. 1821; lacking closing and signature; endorsed by Madison. Enclosures: enclosures to TJ to Madison, 30 Oct. 1821.
The Rotunda of the University of Virginia was to be modeled on the pantheon in Rome.
1. Preceding two words interlined in Dft in place of “these will.”
2. Preceding five words interlined in Dft in place of “some valuable ones.”
3. Preceding two words interlined in Dft in place of “included.”
4. Word added in Dft in place of “objections.”
5. Omitted word supplied from Dft.
Index Entries
- books; tariffs on search
- Congress, U.S.; and tariffs search
- Congress, U.S.; Petition of University of Virginia Board of Visitors to United States Congress search
- Madison, James (1751–1836); and tariffs on books search
- Madison, James (1751–1836); as member of University of Virginia Board of Visitors search
- Madison, James (1751–1836); letters from search
- Pantheon (Rome); as model for University of Virginia’s Rotunda search
- Rome, ancient; Pantheon search
- taxes; on books search
- Virginia, University of; Board of Visitors; and construction of University of Virginia search
- Virginia, University of; Board of Visitors; annual reports of search
- Virginia, University of; Board of Visitors; meetings of search
- Virginia, University of; Books and Library; and tariffs on books search
- Virginia, University of; Construction and Grounds; Rotunda (library) search
- Virginia, University of; Establishment; and General Assembly search
- Virginia; General Assembly search