Thomas Jefferson to James Ronaldson, 18 July 1822
To James Ronaldson
Monticello July 18. 22.
Dear Sir
Your favor of the 3d is duly recieved and with it a copy of the Specimen of your types, for which accept my thanks. altho’ increasing debility warns me that it cannot be long before the transactions of the world will close upon me, yet I feel ardent wishes for the continued progress of science and the arts, and the consequent advancement of the happiness of man. when I look back to Bell’s edition of Blackstone (about 1773.) and compare his with your types, and by the progress of the last half century estimate that of the centuries to come I am cheared with the prospects of improvement in the human condition, which altho not infinite are certainly indefinite. a stiffened wrist, the consequence of a former dislocation, rendering writing slow and painful I can only add my prayers for the general advancement of my country to the assurances of my1 great and friendly respects to yourself.
Th: Jefferson
RC (NNGL); addressed: “Mr James Ronaldson Philadelphia”; franked; postmarked; endorsed by Ronaldson as a letter of 16 July 1822 received seven days later; with additional notation in an unidentified hand beneath endorsement: “Type specimens.” PoC (DLC); on verso of reused address cover of Joseph Jones to TJ, 8 June 1822; torn at seal; endorsed by TJ.
1. Manuscript: “my my.”
Index Entries
- Bell, Robert (of Philadelphia); as printer search
- Blackstone, William; Commentaries on the Laws of England search
- Commentaries on the Laws of England (W. Blackstone) search
- Jefferson, Thomas; Books & Library; receives works search
- Jefferson, Thomas; Correspondence; fatiguing or painful to search
- Jefferson, Thomas; Health; debility search
- Jefferson, Thomas; Health; wrist injury search
- Jefferson, Thomas; Opinions on; human progress search
- law; books on search
- Ronaldson, James; letters to search
- Ronaldson, James; Specimen of Printing Type, from the Letter Foundry of James Ronaldson, successor to Binny & Ronaldson search
- Specimen of Printing Type, from the Letter Foundry of James Ronaldson, successor to Binny & Ronaldson search