David Williams (5) (1738–1816)

I have duly received the volume on the Claims of literature you did me the favor to send me through Mr. Monroe, & have read with satisfaction the many judicious reflections it contains on the condition of the respectable class of literary men. The efforts for their relief, made by a society of private citizens, are truly laudible; by they are, as you justly observe, but a palliation of an evil, the cure of which calls for all the wisdom & the means of the nation ... (TJ to Williams, 14 November 1803)

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=rbc3&fileName=rbc0001_2007jeffca...… (altro)

... I thank you for the copy of Williams. I have barely dipped into it a little. enough however to see he is far short of the luminous work you are printing [Destutt de Tracy's Commentary]. Indeed I think that the most valuable work of the present age. I received from Williams some years ago his book on the claims of authors. I found him to be a man of sound and true principles but not knowing how he got at them and not able to trace or develope them for others ... (TJ to William Duane, 13 November 1810).

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=rbc3&fileName=rbc0001_2007jeffca...… (altro)