![JEFFERSON, Thomas. Autograph letter signed ("Th: Jefferson"), to [Robert S. Garnett], Monticello, 18 June 1819. 1 page, 4to, split at lower fold, a small hole catching a portion of two letters, slight staining at corners.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2012/NYR/2012_NYR_02572_0242_000(jefferson_thomas_autograph_letter_signed_to_robert_s_garnett_monticell010819).jpg?w=1)
PROPERTY OF A MARYLAND COLLECTOR
JEFFERSON, Thomas. Autograph letter signed ("Th: Jefferson"), to [Robert S. Garnett], Monticello, 18 June 1819. 1 page, 4to, split at lower fold, a small hole catching a portion of two letters, slight staining at corners.
Details
JEFFERSON, Thomas. Autograph letter signed ("Th: Jefferson"), to [Robert S. Garnett], Monticello, 18 June 1819. 1 page, 4to, split at lower fold, a small hole catching a portion of two letters, slight staining at corners.
"I THOUGHT IT OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO PROCURE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CLASSICAL SCHOOL IN CHARLOTTESVILLE"
Jefferson's excitement about the impending opening of his university in Charlottesville is palpable in this letter that encompasses faculty appointments, buildings, and the preparation of incoming students in Latin, Greek and French. He begins by declining the suggested appointments of three linguists, Dr. Speed, Mr. Bonfils, and Don Marcus Escopenicki. The Board of Visitors, he tells Garnett, decided that "it was not expedient to divert any of the funds of the University from the object of the building for the present year." As an interesting side note, Jefferson apologizes and explains that he is returning in a somewhat reduced state the testimonials submitted by Garnett on Escopenicki behalf: "The immense mass of papers I receive and must file has obliged me, from an early period, to throw away all covers, and to tear off bank leaves; by which I found that I reduced the mass to one third of its bulk. These papers have undergone that operation."
He then turns to the matter of language preparation for incoming students. "Altho the University will not be opened at all until April next, & then but partially, I thought it of great importance to procure the establishment of a classical school in Charlottesville where the Greek & Latin might be critically taught, & subjects be thereby prepared for entrance into the University when that should be opened. An instructor of high qualifications was accordingly procured, who has commenced a school there, which is filling fast and will soon overflow beyond what he can undertake." Jefferson also reports that a local French speaking farmer -- "Laporte from the Calf pasture" -- has been induced to set up a boarding house in order to immerse the students in French conversation. "He has a respectable & amiable family whose habitual conversation is French; and after a while it is proposed that the boarders there shall be permitted to speak nothing else..."
"I THOUGHT IT OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO PROCURE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CLASSICAL SCHOOL IN CHARLOTTESVILLE"
Jefferson's excitement about the impending opening of his university in Charlottesville is palpable in this letter that encompasses faculty appointments, buildings, and the preparation of incoming students in Latin, Greek and French. He begins by declining the suggested appointments of three linguists, Dr. Speed, Mr. Bonfils, and Don Marcus Escopenicki. The Board of Visitors, he tells Garnett, decided that "it was not expedient to divert any of the funds of the University from the object of the building for the present year." As an interesting side note, Jefferson apologizes and explains that he is returning in a somewhat reduced state the testimonials submitted by Garnett on Escopenicki behalf: "The immense mass of papers I receive and must file has obliged me, from an early period, to throw away all covers, and to tear off bank leaves; by which I found that I reduced the mass to one third of its bulk. These papers have undergone that operation."
He then turns to the matter of language preparation for incoming students. "Altho the University will not be opened at all until April next, & then but partially, I thought it of great importance to procure the establishment of a classical school in Charlottesville where the Greek & Latin might be critically taught, & subjects be thereby prepared for entrance into the University when that should be opened. An instructor of high qualifications was accordingly procured, who has commenced a school there, which is filling fast and will soon overflow beyond what he can undertake." Jefferson also reports that a local French speaking farmer -- "Laporte from the Calf pasture" -- has been induced to set up a boarding house in order to immerse the students in French conversation. "He has a respectable & amiable family whose habitual conversation is French; and after a while it is proposed that the boarders there shall be permitted to speak nothing else..."