Thomas Jefferson Papers

Thomas Jefferson to Francis Tillett, 29 May 1823

To Francis Tillett

Monticello May 29. 23.

Sir

After an absence of considerable time, I find on my return your favor of the 1st instant stating some mathematical propositions for my consideration. a devotion of my attentions for more than half a century to subjects of a very different character has so far lessened my familiarity with these, that I cannot presume to offer myself as a judge of their merit. nor, at the age of 80, do I permit myself to undertake speculations requiring so severe an application of the mind. still I think, with you that the exact sciences are the best exercises possible for youthful minds, the most effectual for strengthening their reasoning powers, and for giving them habits of accuracy in the processes of deduction. nor should I fear that any improvement would render them too easy; because they will still find enough beyond these for all their powers of investigation.—I return you the paper, according to request, not on the ground suggested in your letter, but that you may be enabled to make a more useful disposition of it, and I salute you with great respect.

Th: Jefferson

PoC (MHi); on verso of reused address cover to TJ; at foot of text: “Mr Tillett”; endorsed by TJ. Enclosure not found.

Francis Tillett, educator, lived by 1809 in Charles Town (later West Virginia), where he conducted a school and may also have been the proprietor of a tavern. By 1814 he relocated to and taught in Winchester. Tillett afterwards moved to Strasburg, Shenandoah County, living there until at least 1820 and serving as postmaster in 1818. Tillett returned by 1823 to Winchester, where the following year he published his work entitled A New Key to the Exact Sciences; or, a new and practical theory by which mathematical problems or algebraic equations of almost every description can be solved with accuracy (Charles Town Farmer’s Repository, 7 July 1809, 13 Apr., 13 July 1810; Winchester Republican Constellation, 19 Feb. 1814; Axelson, Virginia Postmasters description begins Edith F. Axelson, Virginia Postmasters and Post Offices, 1789–1832, 1991 description ends , 174; DNA: RG 29, CS, Jefferson Co., 1810, Shenandoah Co., 1820).

Tillett’s favor of the 1st May 1823, not found, is recorded in SJL as received 8 May 1823 from Winchester. Writing from the same town on 8 Feb. 1823, Tillett sent the United States Department of State a letter explaining his mathematical ideas that was presumably similar in content to his missing epistle to TJ (RC in DNA: RG 59, MLR; endorsed by Daniel Brent as received 11 Feb. 1823, with the notation “mathematical and algebraic problems”).

Index Entries

  • Brent, Daniel; as State Department clerk search
  • mathematics; TJ on search
  • State Department, U.S.; papers of search
  • Tillett, Francis; identified search
  • Tillett, Francis; letter from accounted for search
  • Tillett, Francis; letter to search
  • Tillett, Francis; mathematical propositions of search