of the whole income, during that time, to the completion of the buildings necessary for the University, would enable us then to start both institutions at the same time.  The intermediate branch, of colleges, academies, and private classical schools, for the middle grade, may hereafter receive any necessary aids when the funds shall become competent.  In the mean time, they are going on sufficiently, as they have ever yet gone on, at the private expense of those who use them, and who in numbers and means are competent to their own exigencies.  The experience of three years has, I presume, left no doubt, that the present plan of primary schools, of putting money into the hands of twelve hundred persons acting for nothing, and under no responsibility, is entirely inefficient.  Some other must be thought of; and during this pause, if it be only for a year, the whole revenue of that year, with that of the last three years which has not been already thrown away, would place our University in readiness to start with a better organization of primary schools, and both may then go on, hand in hand, for ever.  No diminution of the capital will in this way have been incurred; a principle which ought to be deemed sacred.  A relinquishment of interest on the late loan of sixty thousand dollars, would so far, also, forward the University without lessening the capital.

But what may be best done I leave with entire confidence to yourself and your colleagues in legislation, who know better than I do the conditions of the literary fund and its wisest application; and I shall acquiesce with perfect resignation to their will.  I have brooded, perhaps with fondness, over this establishment, as it held up to me the hope of continuing to be useful while I continued to live.  I had believed that the course and circumstances of my life had placed within my power some services favorable to the outset of the institution.  But this may be egoism; pardonable, perhaps, when I express a consciousness that my colleagues and successors will do as well, whatever the legislature shall enable them to do.

I have thus, my dear Sir, opened my bosom, with all its anxieties, freely to you.  I blame nobody for seeing things in a different light.  I am sure that all act conscientiously, and that all will be done honestly and wisely which can be done.  I yield the concerns of the world with cheerfulness to those who are appointed in the order of nature to succeed to them; and for yourself, for our colleagues, and for all in charge of our country’s future fame and fortune, I offer up sincere prayers.

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CLX.--TO --------- NICHOLAS, December 11,1821

TO --------- NICHOLAS.

Monticello, December 11,1821,

Dear Sir,

Your letter of December the 19th places me under a dilemma, which I cannot solve but by an exposition of the naked truth.  I would have wished this rather to have remained as hitherto, without inquiry; but your inquiries have a right to be answered.  I will do it as exactly as the great lapse of time and a waning memory will enable me.  I may misremember indifferent circumstances, but can be right in substance.