1From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 5 January 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your Letter of 24th. of Decr. with the Pamphlet. I am Sorry to see in our American Reviewes an affectation of imitating European Reviewers. They generally discover an unnatural Appetite for Sour Plums: more Sagacity in discovering little faults than great Merits. I will now for a Moment undertake the Office of a Critic, not for publication: but between you and me. In my Opinion you...
2Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 25 December 1816 (first letter) (Jefferson Papers)
My general aversion from the presumption of intruding on the public an opinion of works offered to their notice has yielded in the present instance to the merit of your undertaking, and to your belief, well or ill founded, that my testimony in it’s favor may be of advantage to it. I have written therefore, in a separate letter , which you are free to publish, what I can conscientiously say on...
3Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 25 December 1816 (second letter) (Jefferson Papers)
On my return from Bedford , after an absence of 7. weeks, I found here your favors of Oct. 28. Nov. 13. 20. & 23. with a copy of the 1 st N o of your Repository. but I found also an immense accumulation of letters recieved during my absence, some of which claimed my first attentions. you know my aversion to the drudgery of the writing table. the great affliction of my present life is a too...
4Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 11 November 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieve here your favor of Oct. 26. the half volume of the Repository is probably recieved at Monticello where it will await my return. the objections to your work appear to be perfectly answered in the pamphlet you have been so kind as to inclose me. you had a right certainly to chuse your own scale of biography more or less extended, and the shorter as merely an Appendix to your main...
5From James Madison to Joseph Delaplaine, 22 October 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the instant. I had previously recd. a copy of the first half volume of the Repository. Of the general object of a work, which is to exhibit the likenesses & lives of selected Individuals, it would be superfluous to express an approbation. In the execution of the work, the essential merit must of course depend on the propriety of the selections, on the...
6Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 26 July 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
In compliance with the request of your letter of the 6 th inst. with respect to Peyton Randolph , I have to observe that the difference of age between him and myself admitted my knowing little of his early life; except what I accidentally caught from occasional conversations. I was a student at College , when he was already Attorney General; at the bar, and a man of established years; and I...
7Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 20 May [1816] (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 11 th is just recieved, and with it the head of Columbus for which accept my thanks. it has been evidently taken at an earlier period of his life than that of the Florentine gallery, which I think you will deem worthy of taking additionally. I shall be happy to recieve mr Otis here, and yourself also should you conclude to come as intimated. I wish it may not be later than the 1...
8From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 5 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
your letter of 27th Feb, has surprised me. Of the writer of the anonymous letter to you I have no knowledge. The portrait taken by mr Stewart is the property of John Quincy Adams my son, taken by his order, often repeated, for six years, from St Petersburg & paid for by his property; I have no right in it, or power over it. Most certainly it will never go from under my roof, with my consent,...
9Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 9 February 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Before the receipt of your letter of Jan. 27. I had received those of Dec. 20. & Jan. 14. which remained unacknoleged. this I am certain you will pardon when I assure you that I pass from four to six hours of every day of my life at the writing table, answering letters in nine tenths of which neither my interests nor inclinations are engaged. this mass of labor obliges me to marshall marshal...
10From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 26 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
You request a Service of Some difficulty, and more delicacy. The Number of Revolutionary Patriots in Massachusetts Patriots of the Revolution was not Small; and all have left Posterity and Connections to dispute with me. But if you demand my Opinion upon honour, I will give it, as it lies in my present Recollection. Samuel Adams, James Otis Junior, Major Hawley of North Hampton, Major General...