"Monticello, Aug. 12, 1825.
"I am very thankful, gentlemen, for the honor
done me by the society of which you are a committee,
in electing me one of its honorary members. I
could decline no distinction conferred by them or
service I could render them, but on reasons of still
higher importance to themselves. On maturely
weighing the general relations in which the law of
the University and the appointment by its Visitors
have placed me as to every member of the institution,
I believe it my duty to make no change in these
relations by entering into additional and different
ties with different associations of its members. The
duties with which I am charged require that in all
cases which may arise I shall stand in an equal position
as to every person concerned, not only that I
may preserve the inestimable consciousness of impartiality
to all but the equally inestimable exemption
from all suspicion of partiality. Your kind expressions
toward myself ensure to me, I hope, an
equally kind acceptance of the reasons on which I
act, and I can add with truth on behalf of my colleagues
of the visitation, that the highest reward
they can receive from their joint cares and exertion
in behalf of this institution is the anticipated hope
and belief that they are rearing up in science and in
virtue those on whom the hopes of this country rest
for its future government and prosperity. For
myself I pray you to accept assurances of my sincere
affections and best wishes.
