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Thomas Jefferson to William Roscoe
Monticello Dec. 27. 20. Dear Sir
Your letter recieved more than a twelve month ago. with the
two tracts on penal jurisprudence; and the literary institution
of Liverpool, ought long since to have called for the thanks I
now return, had it been in my power sooner to have tendered them.
but a long continuance of ill health has suspended all power of
answering the kind attentions with which I have been honored during
it: and it is only now that a state of slow and uncertain convalescence
enables me to make acknolegements which have been so long and
painfully delayed. the treatise on penal jurisprudence I read
with great pleasure. Beccaria had demonstrated general principles:
but practical applications were difficult. our states are trying
them with more or less success: and the great light you have thrown
on the subject will, I am sure, be useful to our experiment. for
the thing as yet, is but in experiment. your Liverpool institution
will also aid us in the organization of our new University, an
establishment now in progress in this state, and to which my remaining
days and faculties will be devoted. when ready for it's Professors,
we shall apply for them chiefly to your island. were we content
to remain stationary in science, we should take them from among
ourselves; but, desirous of advancing, we must seek them in countries
already in advance: and identity of language points to our best
resource. to furnish inducements, we provide for the Professors
separate buildings in which themselves & their families may
be handsomely and comfortably lodged, and to liberal salaries
will be added lucrative perquisites. this institution will be
based on the illimitable freedom of the human mind. for here we
are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead, nor to tolerate
any error so long as reason is left free to combat it. We are
looking with wonder at what is passing among you. it
Resembles
ocean in to tempest wrought,
To waft a feather, or drown a fly.
there must be something in these agitations more than meets the
eye of a distant spectator. your queen must be used in this, as
a rallying point merely, around which are. . .
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