From Thomas Jefferson to James Magoffin, 3 May 1801
To James Magoffin
Washington May 3. 1801.
Sir
Your favor of Mar. 23. was put into my hand just as I was setting out on a short visit to Monticello, from which place I am returned only three days ago. this I hope will apologize for the tardiness of my acknoleging the reciept of it, together with my thanks for the book it covered. I should be glad to see a new & better edition of it, and that it should be made without any retouches by the author. as it is, [it] contains sound & excellent principles, from which however it’s author has lamentably [swerved?] in his doctrine & conduct in public life. so that the earliest & not the latest editions of this book, will, I am persuaded, be longest approved, should the author revise them accept assurances of my esteem & respect.
Th: Jefferson
PrC (ViW); faint and blurred; at foot of text: “Mr. James Magoffin”; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso.
The book it covered: Nathaniel Chipman’s Sketches of the Principles of Government; see Magoffin to TJ, 23 Mch.