by Joint Committee on the Library

“ Jefferson, late President of the United States, of the whole of his library for Congress in such a mode, and upon such terms, as they consider highly advantageous to the nation, and worthy the distinguished gentleman who tenders it. But the means placed at the disposal of the committee being very limited and totally inadequate to the purchase of such a Library as that now offered, the committee must have recourse to Congress either to extend their powers, or to adopt such other plan as they may think most proper. ”