And if
the name of McKnitt be real, and not a part of the fabrication, it needs
a vindication by the production of such proof. For the present, I must
be an unbeliever in the apocryphal gospel.
I am glad to learn that Mr. Ticknor has safely returned to his friends;
but should have been much more pleased had he accepted the Professorship
in our University, which we should have offered him in form. Mr.
Bowditch, too, refuses us; so fascinating is the _vinculum_ of the
_dulce natale solum_. Our wish is to procure natives, where they can be
found, like these gentlemen, of the first order of acquirement in
their respective lines; but preferring foreigners of the first order to
natives of the second, we shall certainly have to go, for several of our
Professors, to countries more advanced in science than we are.
I set out within three or four days for my other home, the distance
of which, and its cross mails, are great impediments to epistolary
communications. I shall remain there about two months; and there,
here, and every where, I am and shall always be, affectionately and
respectfully yours.
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CXLIX.--TO JUDGE ROANE, September 6,1819
TO JUDGE ROANE.
Poplar Forest, September 6,1819.
Dear Sir,
I had read in the Enquirer, and with great approbation, the pieces
signed Hampden, and have read them again with redoubled approbation in
the copies you have been so kind as to send me.
Pages:
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535