Thomas Jefferson had just turned seventy-nine when he was asked his opinion, by a Mr. D. B. Lee, on man’s being able to devise a means of flying. Here is his reply:
Monticello April 27-22
Sir
your letter of the 15th is received, but Age has long since oblidged me to withold my mind from Speculations of the difficulty of those of your letter, that their are means of artifical buoyancy by which man may be supported in the Air, the Balloon has proved, and that means of dirrecting it may be discovered is against no law of Nature and is therefore posible as in the case of Birds, but to do this by macanacal means alone in a medium so rare and unresisting as air must have the aid of some principal not yet generaly known, however I can realy give no oppinion understandingly on the subject and with more good will than Confidence wish you Success
Th Jefferson