u honored me with your letter of May the 31st, I was not
returned from a journey I had taken into Italy. This circumstance,
with the mass of business which had accumulated during my absence, must
apologize for the delay of my answer. Every discovery, which multiplies
the subsistence of man, must be a matter of joy to every friend to
humanity. As such, I learn with great satisfaction, that you have
found the means of preserving flour more perfectly than has been done
hitherto. But I am not authorized to avail my country of it, by making
any offer for its communication. Their policy is to leave their citizens
free, neither restraining nor aiding them in their pursuits. Though the
interposition of government in matters of invention has its use, yet it
is in practice so inseparable from abuse, that they think it better
not to meddle with it. We are only to hope, therefore, that those
governments, who are in the habit of directing all the actions of their
subjects by particular law, may be so far sensible of the duty they
are under of cultivating useful discoveries, as to reward you amply for
yours, which is among the most interesting to humanity.

I have the honor to be, with great consideration and respect, Sir, your
most obedient and most humble servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER LXXXIV.--TO PETER CARR, August 10, 1787

TO PETER CARR.

Paris, August 10, 1787.

Dear Peter,

I have received your two letters of December the 30th and April the
18th, and am very happy to find by them, as well as by letters from Mr.
Wythe, that you have been so fortunate as to attract his notice and
good will: I am sure you will find this to have been one of the most
fortunate events of your life, as I have ever been sensible it was of
mine. I enclose you a sketch of the sciences to which I would wish you
to apply, in such order as Mr. Wythe shall advise: I mention also the
books in them worth your reading, which submit to his correction. Many
of these are among your father's books, which you should have brought
to you. As I do not recollect those of them not in his library, you must
write to me for them, making out a catalogue of such as you think you
shall have occasion for in eighteen months from the date of your letter,
and consulting Mr. Wythe on the subject. To this sketch I will add a few
particular observations.

1. Italian. I fear the learning this language will confound your French
and Spanish. Being all of them degene