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visit Monticello is some consolation； and he can assure her she will
be received with open arms and hearts by the whole family。 he prays
her to accept the homage of his affectionate attachment and respect。
THE POTATO AND HARPER'S FERRY
_To Horatio G。 Spafford_
_Monticello； May 14； 1809_
SIR； I have duly received your favor of April 3d； with the
copy of your 〃General Geography；〃 for which I pray you to accept my
thanks。 My occupations here have not permitted me to read it
through； which alone could justify any judgment expressed on the
work。 Indeed； as it appears to be an abridgment of several branches
of science； the scale of abridgment must enter into that judgment。
Different readers require different scales according to the time they
can spare； and their views in reading； and no doubt that the view of
the sciences which you have brought into the compass of a 12mo volume
will be accommodated to the time and object of many who may wish for
but a very general view of them
In passing my eye rapidly over parts of the book； I was struck
with two passages； on which I will make observations； not doubting
your wish； in any future edition； to render the work as correct as
you can。 In page 186 you say the potatoe is a native of the United
States。 I presume you speak of the Irish potatoe。 I have inquired
much into the question； and think I can assure you that plant is not
a native of North America。 Zimmerman； in his 〃Geographical Zoology；〃
says it is a native of Guiana； and Clavigero； that the Mexicans got
it from South America； _its native country。_ The most probable
account I have been able to collect is； that a vessel of Sir Walter
Raleigh's； returning from Guiana； put into the west of Ireland in
distress； having on board some potatoes which they called
earth…apples。 That the season of the year； and circumstance of their
being already sprouted； induced them to give them all out there； and
they were no more heard or thought of； till they had been spread
considerably into that island； whence they were carried over into
England； and therefore called the Irish potatoe。 From England they
came to the United States； bringing their name with them。
The other passage respects the description of the passage of
the Potomac through the Blue Ridge； in the Notes on Virginia。 You
quote from Volney's account of the United States what his words do
not justify。 His words are； 〃on coming from Fredericktown； one does
not see the rich perspective mentioned in the Notes of Mr。 Jefferson。
On observing this to him a few days after； he informed me he had his
information from a French engineer who； during the war of
Independence； ascended the height of the hills； and I conceive that
at that elevation the perspective must be as imposing as a wild
country； whose horizon has no obstacles； may present。〃 That the scene
described in the 〃Notes〃 is not visible from any part of the road
from Fredericktown to Harper's ferry is most certain。 That road
passes along the valley； nor can it be seen from the tavern after
crossing the ferry； and we may fairly infer that Mr。 Volney did not
ascend the height back of the tavern from which alone it can be seen；
but that he pursued his journey from the tavern along the high road。
Yet he admits； that at the elevation of that height the perspective
may be as rich as a wild country can present。 But you make him
〃surprised to find； _by a view of the spot_； that the description was
_amazingly exaggerated。_〃 But it is evident that Mr。 Volney did not
ascend the hill to _get a view of the spot_； and that he supposed
that that height may present as imposing a view as such a country
admits。 But Mr。 Volney was mistaken in saying I told him I had
received the description from a French engineer。 By an error of
memory he has misapplied to this scene what I mentioned to him as to
the Natural Bridge。 I told him I received a _drawing_ of that from a
French engineer sent there by the Marquis de Chastellux； and who has
published that drawing in his travels。 I could not tell him I had
the description of the passage of the Potomac from a French engineer；
because I never heard any Frenchman say a word about it； much less
did I ever receive a description of it from any mortal whatever。 I
visited the place myself in October 1783； wrote the description some
time after； and printed the work in Paris in 1784…5。 I wrote the
description from my own view of the spot； stated no fact but what I
saw； and can now affirm that no fact is exaggerated。 It is true that
the same scene may excite very different sensations in different
spectators； according to their different sensibilities。 The
sensations of some may be much stronger than those of others。 And
with respect to the Natural Bridge； it was not a description； but a
drawing only； which I received from the French engineer。 The
description was written before I ever saw him。 It is not from any
merit which I suppose in either of these descriptions； that I have
gone into these observations； but to correct the imputation of having
given to the world as my own； ideas； and false ones too； which I had
received from another。 Nor do I mention the subject to you with a
desire that it should be any otherwise noticed before the public than
by a more correct statement in any future edition of your work。
You mention having enclosed to me some printed letters
announcing a design in which you ask my aid。 But no such letters
came to me。 Any facts which I possess； and which may be useful to
your views； shall be freely communicated； and I shall be happy to see
you at Monticello； should you come this way as you propose。 You will
find me engaged entirely in rural occupations； looking into the field
of science but occasionally and at vacant moments。
I sowed some of the Benni seed the last year； and distributed
some among my neighbors； but the whole was killed by the September
frost。 I got a little again the last winter； but it was sowed before
I received your letter。 Colonel Fen of New York receives quantities
of it from Georgia； from whom you may probably get some through the
Mayor of New York。 But I little expect it can succeed with you。 It
is about as hardy as the cotton plant； from which you may judge of
the probability of raising it at Hudson。
I salute you with great respect。
CIRCULATING LIBRARIES
_To John Wyche_
_Monticello； May 19； 1809_
SIR； Your favor of March 19th came to hand but a few days
ago； and informs me of the establishment of the Westward Mill Library
Society； of its general views and progress。 I always hear with
pleasure of institutions for the promotion of knowledge among my
countrymen。 The people of every country are the only safe guardians
of their own rights； and are the only instruments which can be used
for their destruction。 And certainly they would never consent to be
so used were they not deceived。 To avoid this； they should be
instructed to a certain degree。 I have often thought that nothing
would do more extensive good at small expense than the establishment
of a small circulating library in every county； to consist of a few
well…chosen books； to be lent to the people of the county； under such
regulations as would secure their safe return in due time。 These
should be such as would give them a general view of other history；
and particular view of that of their own country； a tolerable
knowledge of Geography； the elements of Natural Philosophy； of
Agriculture and Mechanics。 Should your example lead to this； it will
do great good。 Having had more favorable opportunities than fall to
every man's lot of becoming acquainted with the best books on such
subjects as might be selected； I do not know that I can be otherwise
useful to your society than by offering them any information
respecting these which they might wish。 My services in this way are
freely at their command； and I beg leave to tender to yourself my
salutations and assurances of respect。
〃THE SPIRIT OF MANUFACTURE〃
_To P。 S。 Dupont de Nemours_
_Monticello； June 28； 1809_
DEAR SIR； The interruption of our commerce with England；
produced by our embargo and non…intercourse law； and the general
indignation excited by her barefaced attempts to make us accessories
and tributaries to her usurpations on the high seas； have generated
in this country an universal spirit for manufacturing for ourselves；
and of reducing to a minimum the number of articles for which we are
dependent on her。 The advantages； too； of lessening the occasions of
risking our peace on the ocean； and of planting the consumer in our
own soil by the side of the grower of produce； are so palpable； that
no temporary susp