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ALS signed “Th: Jefferson,” one page, 7.75 x 9.75, August 24, 1816. Handwritten letter to William Lee, a merchant and commercial agent serving as United States consul at Bordeaux, responding to multiple letters received over the course of the previous 20 months. Writing from Monticello, Jefferson thanks Lee for sending a copy of his book 'Les États-Unis et L’Angleterre,' a work that Lee had published in 1814 'with a view to enlighten the people of France on the motives of our War and to help our good cause.' Over a year later, Lee wrote again to Jefferson, enclosing a letter by Francois Gard, an instructor at the Institution Nationale des Sourdes-Muettes [National Institution for the Deaf and Mute], inquiring about potential support for the establishment of a similar school in the United States. Although Jefferson declined to become involved, he was glad to see a similar letter from Gard to Dr. Samuel Mitchell published in the New York newspapers, helping to organize support for the charter of the New York Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb in 1817.
In full: "Your letters of Dec. 20. 14. and May 11. 16. are yet to be acknoleged: and my thanks to be returned for the book which accompanied the former on the subject of Great Britain and America. that able exposition prepared the European mind for receiving truths more favorable to us, and subsequent events have furnished facts corroborating those views. I believe that America, & by this time England also are more justly appreciated. some greatly enlightened minds in Europe are in science far beyond any thing we possess; but leaving them out of the account (& they are but few) the mass of their people, within which term I include from the king to the beggar, is returning to Gothic darkness while the mass of ours is advancing in the regions of light. during the paroxysm of Anglomany lately raging in Bordeaux you must have had a mortifying time. that rage cannot last. the English character is not of that cast which makes itself be loved.
I was just about publishing mr Garde’s letter when I saw in the newspapers that addressed to Dr Mitchell. his position in a populous city, and convenient to others, being so much more favorable than mine for the views of M. Garde, I rejoiced to see his letter in so good hands and surceased medling in it myself, my inland & rural situation affording me no facilities for promoting it’s object. should you have occasion to write to mr Garde, I will thank you to throw in a line of explanation and to tender him my respects & best wishes for his success.
Not doubting that after so long a residence in France your wishes are still there, I heartily sympathise with them and hope the circumstances are not very distant, which may render your return agreeable and useful. Accept my salutations and assurances of perfect esteem and respect." In fine condition. Accompanied by a handsome custom-made presentation case bound in quarter morocco.
The recipient, William Lee, an established Boston merchant, had been appointed by Thomas Jefferson in 1801 to be an American commercial agent in Bordeaux. He was given consular rank the following year and served abroad until 1817, making regular shipments of wine to Jefferson, who had developed a taste for fine French wines during his own time there in the 1780s. When Lee returned to the United States, he became second auditor of the Treasury, a position he held until 1829.
A unique, exceptionally well-preserved autograph letter by Thomas Jefferson, offering his acute observations of intellectualism in Europe versus the United States, and passively lending his support to a progressive educational initiative.
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