Wythe to Thomas Jefferson, 13 December 1786

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"Wythe to Thomas Jefferson, 13 December 1786, pg 1." Image from the Library of Congress, The Thomas Jefferson Papers.

    GW to TJ
    By the letter, which i lately received from you, i find myself indebted further for that kind attention to me, to prove which you never suffer an opportunity to pass unheaded. i am endavouring to satisfy the inquiry of the Taliaferris, near Florence, about their emigrant kinsman, according to Mr. Fabbroni’s desire. at present i incline to think that this person was he whom Buchanan, rerum scoticarum lib. xiii. c. 41, mentions calling him Laurentium Taliferreo, virum probum et doctum, et pueris regiis; and that one of his posterity, rather than himself, was founder of the Virginian family. For the year 1500, or between it and 1515, was the him when this Laurence was in Scotland. Peter Carr attends the professors of natural and moral philosophy and mathematics, is learning the French and Spanish languages, and with me reads Aeschylus and Horace, one day, and Herodotus and Cicero’s orations,

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"Wythe to Thomas Jefferson, 13 December 1786, pg 2." Image from the Library of Congress, The Thomas Jefferson Papers.

The next, and moreover applies to arithmetic do us and Cicero’s omissions; the pleasure, which he gives me, will be greater, if you approve of the course, or will recommend another. i think him sensible and discreet; and in a fair way of being learned, to which one great encouragement, both of him and many others of our youth is the specimen of its ability which they admire in one of their countrymen in another quarter of the globe his notes on Virginias whatever he writes, says or thinks, is eagerly sought after: and this not by youth alone.- His sentiments are most earnestly desired on the grand subject of the inclosed act by the oldest (except one) of the commissioners appointed by it, who supposed that, he cannot be directed so well by any other luminary. you must have advanced money for me. Let me know the amount and whether by or draught on a merchant in London, or on what other means shall discharge it on these forms (but not else) i wish you to send to me Polybius and Vitruvius. Adieu.
Williamsburgh
13 decemb 1786