Thomas Mann Randolph to Joseph C. Cabell
| My dear Sir, | March 2. 1821 |
My desire to keep myself from being involved in any error which the extreme hurry might produce alone induced me to make known that I took no part in the Tuesday meeting of the Board of the Literary Fund. It would have given me much pleasure to have aided in any way, in or out of Board, in preparing the answer: as far as the perpetual interruption—to which I am subject from the general ignorance of the actual insignificance of the station I am in, would have allowed. I am called on every hour to exercise powers or perform functions totally unconnected with my office: and the explanation, why I cannot, takes more time than would have been requisite to perform the act[. . .]
Unluckily I was at Mr Calls dinner yesterday, which was after 5, and I returned too late to do any thing last night towards the investigation required to verify the tabular statement which had been sent in; for I had not the papers necessary.
P.S. I desire not to conceal my feelings at the constant disposition manifested by the Council to render totally insignificant an office allready reduced far below what was ever contemplated by the Constitution Framers. The Treasurer prevailed on them in January to hold a Board to receive his Bond on the very day I returned while several days after would have answered. at such Boards many disagreeable things are done.