JEFFERSON, Thomas. Autograph letter signed ("Th:Jefferson") to Samuel Kercheval of Frederick County, Va.; Monticello, 15 January 1810. 1¼ pages, 4to, a few marginal tears and minor stains, edges a bit darkened, most of address leaf lacking . JEFFERSON'S PHILOSOPHY OF PHILANTHROPY: "WE ARE ALL...BOUND TO CONTRIBUTE A CERTAIN PORTION OF OUR INCOME..." A considerate, thoughtful response to Kercheval, who had enthusiastically solicited Jefferson's support for a new school in Frederick County, even sending the former President blank subscription forms to use in soliciting funds from his friends and neighbors. Since retirement, with his own resources severely strained, Jefferson had been frequently importuned with many such requests. He patiently explains that "Nothing has been done. I go rarely from home, & therefore have little opportunity of soliciting subscriptions. Nor could I do it in the present case in conformity with my own judgment of what is best for institutions of this kind." He spells out his personal rules for charitable contributions: "We are all doubtless bound to contribute a certain portion of our income to the support of charitable & other public institutions. But it is a part of our duty also to apply our contributions in the most effectual way we can secure their object. The question then is whether this will not be better done by each of us appropriating our whole contributions to the institution within our own reach, under our own eye, & over which we can exercise some useful controul? Or would it be better that each should divide the sum...among all the institutions of his state, or of the United States? Reason, & the interest of these institutions themselves certainly decide in favor of the former practice." This rule, he explains, was "forced on me...by the multitude of applications...to me from every quarter of the Union on behalf of academies, churches, missions, hospitals, charitable establishments etc. Had I parcelled among them all the contribution I could spare, it would have been for each too feeble a sum to be worthy of being either given or received. If each portion of the state, on the contrary, will apply its aids & its attentions exclusively to those nearest around them, all will be better taken care of. Their support, their conduct, & the best administration of their funds will all be under the inspection & controul of those most convenient to take cognizance of them, & most interested in their prosperity." For this reason, he cannot solicit contributions from friends: "...I could not propose to others what my own judgment disapproved as to their duty...These considerations appear so conclusive...that I trust they will be a sufficient apology for my not having fulfilled your wishes...They are therefore submitted to your candor, with assurances of my best wishes for the success of the institution you patronize...."
JEFFERSON, Thomas. Autograph letter signed ("Th:Jefferson") to Samuel Kercheval of Frederick County, Va.; Monticello, 15 January 1810. 1¼ pages, 4to, a few marginal tears and minor stains, edges a bit darkened, most of address leaf lacking . JEFFERSON'S PHILOSOPHY OF PHILANTHROPY: "WE ARE ALL...BOUND TO CONTRIBUTE A CERTAIN PORTION OF OUR INCOME..." A considerate, thoughtful response to Kercheval, who had enthusiastically solicited Jefferson's support for a new school in Frederick County, even sending the former President blank subscription forms to use in soliciting funds from his friends and neighbors. Since retirement, with his own resources severely strained, Jefferson had been frequently importuned with many such requests. He patiently explains that "Nothing has been done. I go rarely from home, & therefore have little opportunity of soliciting subscriptions. Nor could I do it in the present case in conformity with my own judgment of what is best for institutions of this kind." He spells out his personal rules for charitable contributions: "We are all doubtless bound to contribute a certain portion of our income to the support of charitable & other public institutions. But it is a part of our duty also to apply our contributions in the most effectual way we can secure their object. The question then is whether this will not be better done by each of us appropriating our whole contributions to the institution within our own reach, under our own eye, & over which we can exercise some useful controul? Or would it be better that each should divide the sum...among all the institutions of his state, or of the United States? Reason, & the interest of these institutions themselves certainly decide in favor of the former practice." This rule, he explains, was "forced on me...by the multitude of applications...to me from every quarter of the Union on behalf of academies, churches, missions, hospitals, charitable establishments etc. Had I parcelled among them all the contribution I could spare, it would have been for each too feeble a sum to be worthy of being either given or received. If each portion of the state, on the contrary, will apply its aids & its attentions exclusively to those nearest around them, all will be better taken care of. Their support, their conduct, & the best administration of their funds will all be under the inspection & controul of those most convenient to take cognizance of them, & most interested in their prosperity." For this reason, he cannot solicit contributions from friends: "...I could not propose to others what my own judgment disapproved as to their duty...These considerations appear so conclusive...that I trust they will be a sufficient apology for my not having fulfilled your wishes...They are therefore submitted to your candor, with assurances of my best wishes for the success of the institution you patronize...."
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