Book Description

Thomas Jefferson served as First United States Secretary of State from March 22, 1790 - December 31, 1793, as Second Vice President of the United States from March 4, 1797 - March 4, 1801, and as Third President of the United States from March 4, 1801 - March 4, 1809. This Volume III of IV contains Thomas Jefferson's letters from July 1789 to August 1803, addressed to a variety of individuals; and comprising a range of information, and, in many instances, regular essays, on subjects of History, Politics, Science, Morals, and Religion. The letters to him are omitted, except in a very few instances, where it was supposed their publication would be generally acceptable, from the important character of the communication, or the general interest in the views of the writer; or where the whole or a part of a letter had been filed for the better understanding of the answer. In these cases, such letters are inserted in the body of the work, or in an appendix, as their importance, and connection with the subject discussed by the author, rendered advisable. And where inferences from the tenor of the answer, might in any way affect the correspondent, his name does not appear in the copy filed. The historical parts of the letters, and the entire publication, have the rare value of coming from one of the chief actors himself, and of being written, not for the public eye, but in the freedom and confidence of private friendship. The detailed "Letters Re the Lost Million" of June 10, 1793 are found on pages 274-281.