Thomas Jefferson Papers

Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 23 July 1817

To James Madison

Monticello July 23. 17.

Dear Sir

The promptitude & success of our subscription paper, now amounting to upwards of 20,000.D. with a prospect much beyond that renders the decision immediately necessary of some important questions which I had thought might have laid over to our periodical meeting the last of September. having an opportunity of writing to Genl Cocke, I invited him to join me in a visit to you on Friday the 25th. I recd his answer last night, that he would do so and would try to bring mr Cabell with him. last night also an opportunity was offered me of sending a letter to mr Watson. I do so; and he probably will be with you also. thus the visit I had promised for my self singly to you on my return, is suddenly manufactured into a meeting of our visitors at Montpelier,1 te inconsulto. I do not know whether mr Cabell & mr Watson will certainly come, but Genl Cocke & my self will be certainly with you on Friday, to dinner if we can get there by half after two; if not, we will dine at Gordon’s & be with you afterwards, therefore do not wait a moment for us. the illness of our principal driver will disappoint mrs Randolph in the participation in the visit which she had much at heart. affectionate esteem & respect to mrs Madison & yourself.

Th: Jefferson

RC (NNGL, on deposit NHi); addressed: “James Madison esq. Montpelier near Orange C. H.”; franked; postmarked Milton, 26 July. PoC (DLC); on verso of reused address cover of Richard Peters to TJ, 28 June 1817; endorsed by TJ.

te inconsulto: “without consulting you.”

1Manuscript: “Monpelier.”

Index Entries

  • Central College, Board of Visitors; and subscription search
  • Central College; subscription for search
  • Gordon’s Tavern (Gordonsville) search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Travels; to Montpellier (Madison family estate) search
  • Madison, Dolley Payne Todd (James Madison’s wife); TJ sends greetings to search
  • Madison, James (1751–1836); letters to search
  • Montpellier (Montpelier; J. Madison’s Orange Co. estate); TJ visits search
  • Montpellier (Montpelier; J. Madison’s Orange Co. estate); visitors to search
  • Randolph, Martha Jefferson (Patsy; TJ’s daughter; Thomas Mann Randolph’s wife); plans visit to Montpellier (Madison family estate) search
  • slaves; as drivers search
  • subscriptions, non-publication; for Central College search