1To James Madison from William Lee, 4 April 1817 (Madison Papers)
Mr Capellano has decided to make you a visit at Montpellier in the course of the summer. He says he does not like to be hurried in a Work of this nature. In making you a visit he might extend his journey to Mr Jeffersons of whom we have no good bust. He will conform to your convenience, I presume before or after harvest will be most agreeable to you. I have the honor to be with great respect...
2William Lee to Thomas Jefferson, 16 June 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
The little Swiss colony of Stocking weavers to which the letter you honored me with refers is composed of three heads of families their children and four workmen with twenty four choice Looms many of which are after the English model with the newest french improvements. I am half concerned in this factory the whole of which has cost me in the purchase of the Looms and the passage & sustenance...
3William Lee to Thomas Jefferson, 6 July 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 25th of last month was duly rec d and I should have replied to it before now but that a slight indisposition arising from the pain of a neglected dislocation prevented it— I have conversed with my principal Swiss who thinks that the young man you mention ought to pay his own board as he comes simply to learn the trade for his own benefit—our apprentices after the first year...
4William Lee to Thomas Jefferson, 14 October 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to recommend to Your kind civilities the bearer of this the Rev d C. Lowell of Boston a particular friend of mine of many years standing I shall be grateful for your goodness towards him RC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “ M r Jefferson ”; endorsed by TJ as received 27 Oct. 1817 and so recorded in SJL . Charles Lowell
5William Lee to Thomas Jefferson, 15 December 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
The young man in question arrived a few days ago and is now at work at the factory. M r Keller tells me he finds him very intelligent—He boards at the factory and M r Keller to whom I have abandoned it for the present wishes to fix the price s of his board and what he is to pay for learning the trade. I have put off the adjustment of these points until I know your ideas on the subject and I...
6William Lee to Thomas Jefferson, 12 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry there has been a misunderstanding respecting M r Stewart — M r Keller thinks he cannot afford to keep him at two dollars per week as from the weakness of his constitution he will never be able to turn out much work the movement of the Loom fatigues him considerably. Besides every necessary of life has become so dear here that in boarding him for 2$ per week M Keller says he would be...
7To James Madison from William Lee, 27 February 1818 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of sending my account of articles forwarded to you from Bordeaux amounting to $425.3c. from which must be deducted a sum of money you paid to me in 1811 and which I had omitted to credit you with when I sent out from Paris the articles purchased for Mrs. Madison. I believe it was 300$ but as some of my papers have been mislaid I have not been able to come at the sum nor can...
8William Lee to Thomas Jefferson, 6 March 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Arganil a respectable french homme de Lettres residing in Newport R.I. is anxious to procure the situation of professor of the French, Spanish & Italian languages in one of our Colleges for which I believe him eminently qualified. Thinking it possible that such a person may be wanted in the institution patronised by you I take the liberty to inclose for your perusal two or three of his...
9To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 20 November 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Knowing how much you feel for the sufferings of Col o W m Duane I beg leave to lay before you a letter I have this moment received from him and at the same time to state that the place of naval officer at Philadelphia having become vacant M r Duanes friends procured one hundred and fifteen names of the most respectable merchants & others in Philadelphia recommending him to the place which I...
10To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 8 January 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Edward Wyer, a friend of mine purchased in spain the last year, a cabinet of Conchyology and mineralogy, which is said by those who are good judges to be valuable—He wishes to dispose of this collection and thinking it might be wanted at your Institute, I have taken the liberty to mention it to you as I presume it can be had cheap. D r Wallace of Virginia is here & desires me to say that if...
11To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 22 January 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been favored by your letter of the 17th. I was induced to write you on the subject of M r Wiers cabinet, from what had occasionally fallen from him and D r Wallace in relation thereto. M r Wier purchased this collection in spain last year, expecting to sell it in the U. States to advantage, in which he has been disappointed and as he contemplates going to Europe, he would prefer selling...
12William Lee to James Madison, 9 November 1830 (Madison Papers)
In all the events of my chequered life, I have ever considered you and Mrs Madison, my best & dearest friends, to whom I owed more than to all the world. Through good and through evil report, you were always the same and I therefore experience much delight in announcing to you both my marriage with Mrs Ann McLean, the widow of the late munificent John McLean, which took place on the 4th inst....