Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) to the Institut National de France, re: becoming first American member
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01533 Author/Creator: Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1802/11/14 Pagination: 1 p. (2 f.) 25 x 21 cm Order a Copy
Jefferson sends his thanks for becoming the first American member of the Institute. The letter is addressed to "Citizens, President and Secretaries."
Citizens President and Secretaries
I have received [sic] the letter wherein you have been pleased to announce to me that the National institute of sciences and arts had elected me a foreign associate for the class of moral and political sciences: and I recieve it with that sensibility which such an expression of respect from a body of the first order of science, is calculated to inspire. Without pretensions to those qualifications which might do justice to the appointment, I accept it as evidence of the brotherly spirit of Science, which unites into one family all it's votaries of whatever grade, and however widely dispersed through the different quarters of the globe.
Accept, Citizens President and Secretaries, for yourselves and your associates, the assurances of my high consideration and respect.
Th: Jefferson
Washington Nov. 14. 1802.
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