Wythe to Thomas Jefferson, 10 April 1800
George Wythe informs Thomas Jefferson that he learned how to write with his left hand when he was 70 and can do so easily, albeit slowly. He says that it is not painful to write, but it has taken him a while to write back because he has been trying to find parliamentary proceedings to answer Jefferson's questions from his letter on February 28. Wythe apologizes here, but eventually provides Jefferson with some answers in December of 1800.
"Wythe to Thomas Jefferson, 10 April 1800." Image from the Library of Congress, The Thomas Jefferson Papers.
Letter text
After the seventh decad of my years began i learned to write with the left hand, as you may see by this specimen, ^and that with ease, although ˜ slowly. yet if to write were painfull, i should, before this time, have answered your letter of 28 of february: but i have been endeavouring to recollect what little of parliamentary procedings i formerly knew, and find myself unable to give information on the questions which you propounded. adieu, my best friend. 10 of april, 1800.
