Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-09

rope on it's principal book marts,
notably Amsterdam. Frankfort. Madrid
and London. for such works relating to
America as could not be found In
Paris. So in that department partic-
ularly such a collection was made as
can never again be effected. because 1t
is hardly probable that the same OPP
portunities, the same time, industry.
perseverance and expense with the
same knowledge of the photography OF
the subject could ever happen again in
concurrence.
During the same period I was led
to procure also whatever related to
the duties of these in the high con-
Germs Of a nation-so that the collec-
ton. which, l suppose. is between nine
and ten thousand volumes, WI, while y, ~
science and literature generally, ex-
tends more particularly TO whatever
belongs to the American statesman
I'm the diplomatic and parliamentary
branches it is full. 1t Is long since l nave
been sensible it ought not to continue
private property. The loss which Con-
gress has now incurred makes the pres
ent the proper moment for their accom-
mediation by 1t. Nearly the whole are
we'll bound the abundance Of them ele-
gantly and of the choicest editions ex-
listing"
The offer created much debate in Con-
gress Some of the members commended
that Jefferson's library would more than
supply the loss Of the original, and advo-
Gated its immediate acceptance as a
foundation for a national library to be
gathered on a scale of ever-increasing'
grandeur. Others objected on the ground
that Jefferson had collected many works
in foreign languages which had little val
ue to an American statesman and many
on subjects which were seldom needed
as reference by a member of the legis-
lative body. These books referred to
were on the subjects of religion and phi
losophy. which had always attracted the
steady and deep interest Of the scholarly
third President.
On still another point did the library
committees of the houses of Con-
gress disagree-the matter of the
price which should be paid for
the books Ks After much thrash nan
the committee was favorab BILE to the
proposed purchase and it was decided
that the amount to be paid should be de-
termined by the appraisal of disinter-
ed a delicacy In estimating the value Of
his own property, though he had oddly
suggested that the books might be priced
according to the size of the volumes
limos should be valued alike. irrespective
of binding or subject matter
From a review of Jeffersons corre-
spondence at the time, it would seem
that the general sentiment was favor
able to the purchase of his collection.
President Madison, a close friend of
Jefferson, wrote him a letter. in which
he said: II learn that the library COM
mittee will report favorably on your
proposition to supply the loss of the
books by Congress IT will prove gain
to them if they have the wisdom to re-
place it by such a collection as yours"
The price finally agreed upon was
$23.950, settled by the valuation of Jo-
seph Mulligan, a Georgetown booksell-
err. who had been a collector for Jeffer-
son and was we'll acquainted with the
value of the books.
AS soon as these details were settled
Jefferson busted himself in his library
at Monticello for a fortnight revising