Thomas Jefferson Papers

Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 8 July 1823

To Robert Patterson

Monticello July 8. 23.

Dear Sir

There is a periodical work published at Paris, entitled la Revue encyclopedique, of which M. Jullien, a person of distinguished science is the Redacteur, and several gentlemen of high1 literary grade2 are Collaborateurs. it’s object is, by correspondents established in every part of the world,3 to collect, as to a single4 focus, the discoveries, inventions, and advances of science generally in every country, and to present in a single mass5 those deemed worthy of being known. M. Jullien has done me the honor of proposing to6 me to become a correspondent. but I am too old, and too much retired for the duties of a Centinel of the science of our country, and, from the crippled state of both my hands,7 writing is become too difficult and slow for me to undertake any correspondence. I have thought therefore that I could not render to this undertaking a better service, than by transferring the proposition to you, on the possibility that some younger member of our society, better situated for obtaining the information asked, might be disposed to accept M. Jullien’s correspondence, and to exchange with him our contributions for those of the rest of the world. I inclose you therefore the papers of explanation, in the hope you will find some one who will render8 this service to ourselves, as well as to the lovers of science in other parts of the world. and I avail myself with pleasure of this occasion of renewing to the Philosophical Society the homage of my respect, and to yourself the assurance of my great esteem and consideration

Th: Jefferson

RC (ViU: TJP); at foot of text: “Doctor Robert Patterson”; accompanied by note in Patterson’s hand, dated “Philosophical Society,” 18 July 1823, reading (one word editorially corrected from “respicting”) “Referred to our Corresponding Secy Mr Walsh—to communicate to M. Jullien, from time to time, such information respecting ‘the science of our country’ as he may think proper.” Dft (DLC); on verso of reused address cover of Bernard Peyton to TJ, 12 Dec. 1822; lacking dateline; at foot of text: “Doctr Robert Patterson Pr. A. P. Soc. [i.e., President of the American Philosophical Society]”; endorsed by TJ. Enclosures: enclosures to Marc Antoine Jullien to TJ, 12 May 1823.

A redacteur is an “editor,” and collaborateurs are “contributors.”

1Reworked in Dft from “and many gentlemen of the first.”

2Dft here adds “in France.”

3Preceding nine words interlined in Dft.

4Word interlined in Dft.

5Word interlined in Dft in place of “body.”

6Preceding seven words interlined in Dft in place of “for some time sollicited.”

7Preceding six words interlined in Dft in place of “dislocn of both wrists and consequent inflexibility of the fingers.”

8Word added in margin of Dft in place of “volunteer in.”

Index Entries

  • aging; TJ on his own search
  • American Philosophical Society; and foreign learned societies search
  • American Philosophical Society; R. Patterson as president of search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Correspondence; fatiguing or painful to search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Health; aging search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Health; impaired hands search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Health; wrist injury search
  • Jullien, Marc Antoine; as editor ofRevue Encyclopédique, ou Analyse Raisonnée search
  • Jullien, Marc Antoine; works sent to search
  • Patterson, Robert; and American Philosophical Society search
  • Patterson, Robert; letters to search
  • Revue Encyclopédique, ou Analyse Raisonnée search
  • Walsh, Robert; and American Philosophical Society search