Thomas Jefferson Papers

James Macpherson to Charles Macpherson, 7 August 1773

James Macpherson to Charles Macpherson

London August 7th 1773

My Dear Sir

I received your letter. I should be glad to accommodate any friend of yours; especially one of Mr. Jefferson’s taste and character. But I cannot, having [re]fused them to so many, give a copy of the Gaëlic poems with any decency [o]ut of my hands. The labour, besides, would be great. I know of none, that could copy them. My manner and my spelling differ from others: And I have the vanity [to] think, that I am in the right. Make my humble respects to your American friend. Excuse me as you can to him; and pray excuse me yourself. I seldom hear from you; the truth is I am so negligent in writing myself, that I cannot, with any justice, blame any other, on that head. I have heard from your friend William once. I suppose he has, now, dived behind his hills. He has his comfortable things there also; though, I suppose he recollects London with some pleasure. I am My dear Sir Yours most affectionately,

James Macpherson

RC (DLC). Enclosed in Charles McPherson’s letter to TJ of 12 Aug., following. Fading has rendered some portions of the MS nearly illegible.

For the background of this letter and the Ossian affair, see TJ’s letter to Charles McPherson, 25 Feb. 1773; see also McPherson to TJ, following.

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