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1154 livres 13 sous, which, reckoning the French crown of six livres at six shillings and eight pence, Virginia money, is 64, 3s. which sum you will be so good as to keep in your hands, to be used occasionally in the education of my nephews, when the regu lar resources disappoint you. To the same use I would pray you to apply twenty-five guineas, which I have lent the two Mr. Fitzhughs of Marmion, and which I have desired them to repay into your hands. You will of course deduct the price of the revisals, and of any other articles you may have been so kind as to pay for me. Greek and Roman authors are dearer here, than, I believe, any where in the world. Nobody here reads them ; wherefore they are not reprinted. Don Ulloa, in the original, is not to be found. The collection of tracts on the economies of different nations, we cannot find ; nor Amelot s travels into China. I shall send these two trunks of books to Havre, there to w r ait a conveyance to Ame rica ; for as to. the fixing the packets there, it is as uncertain as ever. The other articles you mention, shall be procured as far as they can be. Knowing that some of them would be better got in London, I commissioned Mr. Short, who was going there, to get them. He has not yet returned. They will be of such a nature, as that I can get some gentleman who may be going to America, to take them in his portmanteau. Le Maire being now able to stand on his own legs, there will be no necessity for your advanc ing him the money I desired, if it is not already done. I am anx ious to hear from you on the subject of my Notes on Virginia. 1 have been obliged to give so many of them here, that I fear their getting published. I have received an application from the Direc tors of the public buildings, to procure them a plan for their capi- tol. I shall send them one taken from the best morsel of antient architecture now remaining. It has obtained the approbation of fifteen or sixteen centuries, and is, therefore, preferable to any design which might be newly contrived. It will give more room, be more convenient, and cost less, than the plan they sent me. Pray encourage them to wait for it, and to execute it. It will be superior in beauty to any diing in America, and not inferior to any thing in the world. It is very simple. Have you a copying press ? If you have not, you should get one. Mine (exclusive of paper which costs a guinea a ream) has cost me about fourteen guineas. I would give ten times that sum, to have had it from the date of the stamp act. I hope you will be so good as to continue your communications, both of the great and small kind, which are equally useful to me. Be assured of the sincerity with which I am, Dear Sir,
your friend and servant,
TH: JEFFERSON.
