Thomas Jefferson to Samuel L. Mitchill and Felix Pascalis, 9 May 1823
To Samuel L. Mitchill and Felix Pascalis
Monticello May 9. 23.
Th: Jefferson returns his thanks to Doctors Mitchell and Pascalis for the attention with which they have honored him by the notification in their letter of Apr. 28. of the purpose1 of the Linnæan society to commemorate the birth of the great founder of that school2 by a fete Botanique on the 24th instant. he regrets that he cannot join them physically on the occasion, but will certainly be with them in spirit. he will invite3 also some amateurs in natural science4 in his own neighborhood to fraternise on the same day5 with their brethren of New York by6 corresponding libations to the great apostle of nature, not forgetting the healths of our absent friends. he salutes Doctors Mitchell & Pascalis7 with sentiments of the highest8 respect & esteem.
RC (NNMus: J. Clarence Davies Collection); addressed: “Doctor James L. Mitchell New York”; franked; endorsed by Samuel L. Mitchill as received 20 May 1823. Dft (DLC: TJ Papers, 210:37447); on verso of portion of reused address cover; undated. Printed in Minerva 2 (31 May 1823): 60.
1. Word interlined in Dft in place of “intention.”
2. Preceding six words reworked successively in Dft from “the founder of that science” and “that great Apostle of Nature.”
3. Word interlined in Dft in place of “collect.”
4. Preceding three words interlined in Dft in place of “of that school.”
5. Preceding four words interlined in Dft.
6. Preceding six words interlined in Dft in place of “them in.”
7. Text from “great apostle” to this point interlined in Dft in place of “father of Botany, and salutes them.”
8. RC: “highes.” Dft: “highest.”
Index Entries
- Linnaeus, Carolus (Carl von Linné); and Société Linnéenne de Paris search
- Mitchill, Samuel Latham; and Société Linnéenne de Paris search
- Mitchill, Samuel Latham; letters to search
- Pascalis Ouviere, Felix Alexander; and Société Linnéenne de Paris search
- Pascalis Ouviere, Felix Alexander; letter to search
- Société Linnéenne de Paris; and annual celebration in New York search