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Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826 to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.06430 Author/Creator: Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826 Place Written: Charlottesville, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1 June 1795 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; Height: 22.2 cm, Width: 18.5 cm Order a Copy

Discusses the new technology for a mill and includes a small diagram on the first page on the left side. Also writes about the joys of an agricultural life, asking Knox, "have you become a farmer? is it not pleasanter than to be shut up within 4. walls and delving eternally with the pen? I am become the most ardent farmer in the state. I live on my horse from morning to night almost. intervals are filled up with attentions to a nailery I carry on. I rarely look into a book, and more rarely take up a pen. I have proscribed newspapers, not taking a single one, nor scarcely ever looking into one. my next reformation will be to allow neither pen, ink, nor paper to be kept on the farm. When I have accomplished this I shall be in a fair way of indemnifying myself for the drudgery in which I have passed my life. if you are half as much delighted with the farm as I am, you bless your stars at your riddance from public cares." Written at Monticello, Jefferson's home. Docketed by Knox.

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

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