1From Thomas Jefferson to Bishop James Madison, 16 December 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Edwards, son of the Senator from Kentucky, goes to Williamsburg for the benefit of the law school in the college. He is a young man of understanding, considerable reading, and great avidity for knowlege. As such permit me to recommend him to your notice and patronage, and to your aid also in procuring books which generally forms one of the principal difficulties in the way of young...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Bishop James Madison, 4 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
A person here imagines he has discovered a new property […] [magne]tic needle, which however, for want of a well-made dipping needle, he can[…] at least to my satisfaction. there is no such instrument at this plac[e. I] think I recollect to have [seen a] very fine one at your college. I must the[refore] take the liberty of solliciting you to make an experiment for us, which […] the less...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Bishop James Madison, 13 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I take great Pleasure in transmitting the Result of the Experiment, which you wished to have made . The Instrument is delicate, & appears well formed. The Needle, which is 9 Inches in Length, is supported as usual, by a transverse Axis; but each Extremity of the Axis rests upon three small Friction Wheels, whilst the Parts of the Axis which touch them are highly polished, & of Steel. The...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Bishop James Madison, 1 April 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to acknolege the reciept of your favor of Mar. 13. & to thank you for the trouble you have taken. the result of your observations [impress] me strongly with the belief that the person on whose account I [wrote] to you will be disappointed in his supposed discovery. however he has still hopes, and wishes me to ask you to take the trouble of trying again under certain precautions, which, as...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Bishop James Madison, 15 April 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I have endeavoured to understand the Directions of the Gentleman , & would have been happy to have made such Experiments as he wished; but, before this can be done, he must express himself more clearly. At present, I am entirely at a Loss for his Meaning. Indeed, from some Expressions, I suspect he confounds the Compass with the Dipping Needle. Has he a clear Idea of the latter Instrument?—I...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Bishop James Madison, 10 February 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you many Thanks for your Goodness in forwarding the interesting Papers , lately communicated to Congress. Whether the Public will coincide with the Secretary in the Conclusions he has drawn from them, must be very doubtful.—If, as Mr Gerry says, the Minister of France appeared sincere & anxious to obtain a Reconciliation; if his Views too, were liberal in Regard to a Treaty; if this...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Bishop James Madison, 27 February 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Feb. 10. came safely to hand. we were for a moment flattered with the hope of a friendly accomodation of our differences with France by the President’s nomination of mr Murray our minister at the Hague to proceed to Paris for that purpose. but our hopes have been entirely dashed by his revoking that and naming mr Elsworth, mr Patrick Henry & Murray. the two former not to embark...
8From Thomas Jefferson to Bishop James Madison, 6 January 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
A mr Thomas P. Smith of this place, who is particularly able in the line of chemistry, and is master also of the Linnean Botany is desirous of getting a birth in your college, if these professorships still exist there & are vacant. I could not inform him on these points. I remember that in our reformation of the plan of the college in 1779. there was a professorship of Chemistry, Botany &...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Bishop James Madison, 17 January 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I should certainly have answered your Favour by the succeeding Post, had I received it in Time. Unfortunately it did not come to Hand ’till the next Morning. I am sorry I cannot return such an Answer as could be desired. The Professorship of Chemistry &c has not been actually abolished; but after Dr McClurg left us, two Professorships of Humanity were instituted in it’s Stead.—This Revival of...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Bishop James Madison, 31 January 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved your favor of the 17th. & communicated it to mr Smith. I lately forwarded you a letter from Dr. Priestly, endorsed ‘with a book ’; I struck these words through with my pen, because no book had then come. it is now recieved, & shall be forwarded to Richmond by the first opportunity: but such opportunities are difficult to find; gentlemen going in the stage not liking to take...