Thomas Jefferson Papers

James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 18 December 1823

From James Madison

Montpellier Decr 18. 1823

Dear Sir

I return the letter from Mr Gilmer. It would have been more agreeable if he had not suspended his decision as to the ulterior object offered him; but he can not be blamed for yielding to the reasons he gives for it. There is weight in what he suggests as to an extension of his research into Germany; and there may be some advantage in the attraction wch a professor from that quarter might have for students from the German regions of the U.S. But there will be time for consideration before a final instruction on the subject will be given. If the Continent of Europe however be opened at all, it may be well not to shut out some other parts of it. I hope if the assembly fulfils our wishes at an early period of the Session, that the Envoy will be able to embark before the end of it if it be a long one.

RC (DLC: Madison Papers); closing and signature clipped, with notation by Dolley Madison beneath gap: “Cut off for an Autorgraph”; at foot of text: “Mr Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 24 Dec. 1823 and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Francis W. Gilmer to TJ, 3 Dec. 1823.

Index Entries

  • Europe; and recruitment of faculty for University of Virginia search
  • Germany; and recruitment of faculty for University of Virginia search
  • Gilmer, Francis Walker; and recruitment of University of Virginia faculty search
  • Gilmer, Francis Walker; University of Virginia professorship proposed for search
  • law; University of Virginia professorship of search
  • Madison, James (1751–1836); and establishment of University of Virginia search
  • Madison, James (1751–1836); letters from search
  • Virginia, University of; Establishment; and General Assembly search
  • Virginia, University of; Faculty and Curriculum; law professorship search
  • Virginia, University of; Faculty and Curriculum; recruitment of faculty search
  • Virginia; General Assembly search