Jefferson Seeks Madison's Support

Thomas Jefferson to James Madison
(1751-1836)
Polygraph copy,
September 24, 1814
Manuscript Division

After the British burned the Capitol in 1814, destroying the congressional library, Thomas Jefferson offered to sell his books to Congress at a price they could name. In this letter to his friend and President of the United States James Madison, Jefferson seeks his support for the sale, which members of Congress were then debating.