To Thomas Jefferson from William Jones, 6 August 1825

Permit me to interrupt your repose so far as to make some enquiry respecting your seminary of Education at Charlottesville in the Vicinity of your Residence. I have a Son now at Oxford whose Intelect is Judged to be promising, having a very slender Education myself such only as a common country school would afford 35 years past I am not capable of Judging the boys capacity with that accuteness which otherwise I might do. I am prepared however to state that his amiable disposition and moral conduct is very rarely exceled by boys of his age &c—

The inqu[i]ry intended to trouble you with is the sum necessary pr Annum for board in a Respectable and moral House, Tuition, and the probable amount including all charges, and the necessary preparation or Course of Studies before he can enter to advantage &c—I believe he is now commencing Greek and is about 14 years of age—

I am in limited circumstances and not able to undergo unnessary expences but am willing to afford my son every facillity in my power &c—one inducement for sending him to your seminary is that he has been somewhat afflicted with the Rheumatism and Mr Joseph B Littlejohn with whom he lives advised me to send him to the sulpher Springs a few weeks on trial &c—

I should not have intruded myself upon your notice had I been acquainted with the caracter of any individual near Charlotteville beside yourself, Your Friendly advise in reply to the above will be thankfully recd by