1Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 17 May 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I present to you mr Rives , the bearer of this, an eleve of mine in law and politics. he is able, learned, honest, & orthodox in his principles. being just about to enter on the stage of public life he wishes first to see something more of our country at large. he will be one of the distinguished men of our state , & of the United States . in taking him by the hand while in Boston you will...
2Thomas Jefferson to John Langdon, 17 May 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I present to you mr Rives , an eleve of mine in law and politics: honest, able, learned, & true in the holy republican gospel. bestow on him your native kindness, not only for the gratification of your own benevolent dispositions, but to shew him the degree of estimation in which you hold your RC ( DLC : William C. Rives Papers); addressed: “The honorable John Langdon Portsmouth by mr Rives.”...
3Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 18 May 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by mr Rives a young gentleman of this state and my neighborhood. he is an eleve of mine in law, of uncommon abilities, learning and worth. when you and I shall be at rest with our friends of 1776. he will be in the zenith of his fame and usefulness. before entering on his public career he wishes to visit our sister states and would not concieve he had seen any thing of...
4Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 17 May 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer mr Rives , the son of one of our wealthiest citizens and of the neighboring county of Amherst , is an eleve of mine in law & politics. before he commences practice he wishes to visit the country North of us. an honester, abler, or better informed man could not be presented to you. make him sensible of my high estimation of him by the kind offices which you as my friend may render...
5Thomas Jefferson to Daniel D. Tompkins, 18 May 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Altho’ I have not had the honor of a personal acquaintance with you, yet our respective public duties have heretofore produced an intercourse of letters which rendering us not entire strangers furnish the grounds of addressing this letter to you. it will be handed by mr Rives , a young gentleman of this state, an eleve of mine in the law, of great abilities, learning and worth, and one who...
6To Thomas Jefferson from William Cabell Rives, 13 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I have now the satisfaction to inform you that the Bill, for remitting the duties demanded of the university, has passed the Senate, & has probably, by this time, received it’s consummation as a law by the signature of the President. The committee of the Senate, to which the Bill was referred, reported it with an amendment, the object of which was to provide for another case supposed by the...
7William C. Rives to Thomas Jefferson, 20 January 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I have it in my power to congratulate you, at last, on an event, which constitutes a proud epoch in the history of Virginia . The Bill for the establishment of an University at the Central college was passed on yesterday in the House of Delegates by a majority of 141 to 28. Altho’ the previous votes taken in the committee of the whole had left little doubt as to the final success of the...
8To Thomas Jefferson from William Cabell Rives, 7 January 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of 30 th ult. was duly received & I availed myself of the earliest opportunity of conferring with the Postmaster-General, in relation to the subject of it. He suggested some objections to the establishment of a post-office at the University, & in lieu of it, proposed an arrangement which, if it should take effect, it is hoped, will attain all the ends you had in view—that is, to...
9William C. Rives to Thomas Jefferson, 30 August 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I had the pleasure of being at Monticello , the unsettled state of my health has totally disqualified me for intellectual exertion. Indeed, for the last two years, either the incapacity resulting from this cause, or the avocations of business have materially obstructed my desire of knowledge, by taking away the physical power of obtaining it.— The former evil being now partially removed...
10To Thomas Jefferson from William Cabell Rives, 10 November 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of introducing to your acquaintance my brother Robert, who is one of the representatives of the county of Nelson in the next Legislature. He is on a visit to the University, to inspect the plan & condition of that noble establishment, & will be much gratified in the opportunity, which a personal interview will afford, of learning the views of it’s patron & founder.— MHi .