Books constitute capital. A library book lasts as long as a house, for hundreds of years. It is not, then, an article of mere consumption but fairly of capital. and often in the case of professional men, setting out in life, it is their only capital.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Letter to James Madison (16 Sep 1821)
(Source)
I believe the second sentence begins, “A library book…”. See an image of the letter at http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.mss/mtj.mtjbib024183 (top of 2nd page).
You are definitely correct. I will update.