From Thomas Jefferson to Antoine Louis Claude Destutt de Tracy, 14 February 1806

I have to return you my thanks for the very acceptable present you have been so kind as to make me of the two first parts of your work on Ideologie, & of the Analysis of Dupuis. both are on subjects highly interesting. my present position not permitting me to read beyond the papers of the day, I treasure them with those things which are to sweeten a retirement to which age and a passion for letters are daily pressing me. the worth of these works is already stamped by the judgment of those whose good opinion is most flattering. that of my collegues of the American Philosophical society will be manifested to you by their election of you as a member of their institution. with assurances of my sincere concurrence in this mark of their estimation, I pray you to accept my salutations, and the tender of my high respect & consideration.