Thomas Jefferson Papers

Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 19 December 1823

To James Monroe

Monto Dec. 19. 23.

Dear Sir

Mr Girardin, president of the college of Baltimore understanding that the office of librarian to Congress is expected to become vacant by resignn, and desirous of being placed in it, has requested me to state to you what I know of his qualifns. he lived at Milton in this nbhood 2. or 3. y. while writing his hist. of Virga, and was during that time1 in great intercourse and intimacy with my self.2 he is a scholar of high grade, industrious, methodical, careful, of correct morals and conduct, and particularly proficient3 in bibliographical knolege, an important qualificn4 in that office. I have thought it a duty to bear witness to what I know of him in these respects, and that I render a service even5 to yourself by enabling you to judge between him and other competitors for the appmt, and to give it to the worthiest as I know is your first wish.6 accept the assurance of my constant and high esteem & respect.

Th:J.

Dft (DLC); on verso of reused address cover of William J. Coffee to TJ, 20 Apr. 1823, not found (see note to TJ to Coffee, 30 Apr. 1823); at foot of text: “The Presidt of the US”; endorsed by TJ as a letter to “Monroe Presidt.” Enclosed in TJ to Louis H. Girardin, 19 Dec. 1823.

1Preceding three words interlined.

2TJ here canceled “I willingly therefore bear witness to the truths concerning him which are within my knolege.”

3Word interlined in place of “qualified.”

4Word interlined in place of “circumstance.”

5Word interlined.

6Preceding two words interlined in place of “particular desire.”

Index Entries

  • Baltimore College search
  • Burk, John Daly; The History of Virginia search
  • Girardin, Louis Hue; and Baltimore College search
  • Girardin, Louis Hue; and J. D. Burk’sHistory of Virginia search
  • Girardin, Louis Hue; seeks appointment as librarian of Congress search
  • Girardin, Louis Hue; TJ on search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Correspondence; letters of application and recommendation from search
  • Jones, Skelton; and J. D. Burk’sHistory of Virginia search
  • Library of Congress; librarian of search
  • Monroe, James (1758–1831); and appointments search
  • Monroe, James (1758–1831); letters to search
  • patronage; letters of application and recommendation from TJ search
  • schools and colleges; Baltimore College search
  • The History of Virginia (J. D. Burk, S. Jones, and L. H. Girardin); mentioned search