1To Thomas Jefferson from William John Coffee, 1 December 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Seeing in one of the Prints of the day a Strange account of a Very Strange adventure you of Late unfortunately have undergon with a Strange man calling him self a Sculptor , because he has had the presumption to try to make a few Busts of four distinguished, Gentlemen—as If like four Painting, Makeing Busts constituted the necessary requisite for a great Artist, But this man, this Sign Painter...
2To Thomas Jefferson from William John Coffee, 19 August 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Some time ago, M r Antrim The Plastorer for the University, called on me with Drawings for ornaments to decorate the in side of the Rotondo, and requested that I would state to M r Brockingbrow the terms on which I would execute them, this I did in as plain a manner as I could, but owing to something I have not receved any reply to those terms so long sent in, or to a letter since sent to M r...
3To Thomas Jefferson from William John Coffee, 21 March 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
We form plans of profit, and Pleasure, and determine to put them in to execution, but from Imperfect powers of Perception (alltho we boast much of our Little Knowledge) we can t see this moment wat the next will Produce, I Tharfore sometimes Think that chance brings to Pass; for man more then any Contemplated designe That Human machines can make. I had got all my necessary Things redy for your...
4To Thomas Jefferson from William John Coffee, 16 January 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
That no time might be lost I Called on M r Maverick the same day I recivd your favour dated the 5. Jan y which came to hand not till the 14 th I stated to him your wishes and the following in his answer Viz that owing to Ill health his business has out of necesity being neglected, that now they are in hand and will Positiveliy be forwarded to Richmond from this City in the whole of the...
5To Thomas Jefferson from William John Coffee, 1 January 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
To Promniss I have shiped the ornaments; and have inclosed an extra Bill of Lading fore M r A. S. Brockenbrough; so that directions may be sent to the Consigne to forward them according to your wish to the University. The Scooner whent to sea on the 29 and as the wether has been unusualy fine should conclude she may have reached her disten ed Port by the time you get this Information. This...
6To Thomas Jefferson from William John Coffee, 20 December 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Sir you wish to know when you are to have the ornaments for the Rotunda; I answer that they are all finished, and only wait the Packing and Enshipment, to be on the way for your institution no time shall be lost on my part to get them under way and then the risk of the seas must be yours the Last was mine and I Insured them. I do not see any necessary directions to your People unless it is to...
7To Thomas Jefferson from William John Coffee, 11 September 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just returned from a small Journey and found your very pleasing favour. altho I had made arrangments to have left the Northern states for a warmer winter residence as before mentioned to you—on the Commencement of october, Still I think it a Pleasing duty to Obey your wishes, in as Prompt a way as Possible. but cant say at the moment the time you may expect the ornament, however I will...
8To Thomas Jefferson from William John Coffee, 24 May 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I believe you may not have seen these before If so they may be Pleasing—at the same time I know you dont want to be troubled with all the Papers of the United States; But this One I Esteem the best that is Printed in this City, so fare at least as relates to foreign News, should it give you half an howers gratification for the loss of time; I shall be amply rewarded for thus sending, at some...
9To Thomas Jefferson from William John Coffee, 11 January 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
It is a long time since I have had, wat I may truly call the pleasure of any communication with you, I assure you sir—it would be very pleasing to know that you engoy the Blessings of good health, and as I have no other way but from your self would beg that Honor confered, should you hold willingness and time so cheape. I would also beg to be permited to ask the state of the university. hope...
10To Thomas Jefferson from William John Coffee, 19 May 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Lettere of the 30 Last Month was received and on it’s arrival I felt much gratification from the Honor your kind Attention showed me. I am glad you are satisfyed that every thing has been Properly sent, to you, and to M r Brocknibro, but am sorry that Col o Peyton should have been so little attentive to my directions but those are matters of small importancs to the Col o and Therefor do...
11To Thomas Jefferson from William John Coffee, 17 April 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
You must not consider me importunate but if you please consider my applycation in the following manner. Viz I have at a considerable distance from this place made a contract which ought to have been fulfiled on the first of April (or to forfeit a sum of money. it is now the 17 th day and I have not been able to comply in consequences I am not only likely to lose my forfiture but also lose a...
12To Thomas Jefferson from William John Coffee, 31 March 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
It would be proper for me to apologize for this Intrusion on your retirement was it not at the request of Col n Peyton who wishes me to advise you of the script of One Hundred Dollars which I have placed to your Accnt. It came to hand this day the Col n took this most Prompt & Proper means to expedite Buisness; he obtained an order from One of the Banks in Richmond upon one of the Banks in...
13To Thomas Jefferson from William John Coffee, 27 March 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Your goodness will Please to Excuse this Application for as Circumstances stand, it is not to be avoided, I think I stated to you in mine of the 15. Last Febr y my Intentions to leave this City on the first day of April and wishing to be as Punctual as I can to any Contract made, I have tharfore packed up all my moveables. My House is Let and myself only waiting your very obligeing remittance...
14To Thomas Jefferson from William John Coffee, 27 March 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I receved Valued favou a few howers after I sent to you my Last Letter and am sorry I have given you that Trouble. I also recved a Letter from Mr Brockenbrough of which I Cant help saying that I am not only Very much astonished but much disapointed, your Condesention to peruse the Inclosed Letter will Inform you of my dissatisfaction, you be so kind as to Inclose as soon as you & M r B. has...
15To Thomas Jefferson from William John Coffee, 15 February 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
It gives me much pleasure to hear, your arm is in a State of recovery but Cant help saying that your moste Active mind must take care that you dont weary or take Cold in the fracture as you know at this season of the year thair is much fragility in the bones of a leg or an Arm, it would be to you a grievous misfortune to have a second fracture, and a Publick Affliction and from this happiness...
16To Thomas Jefferson from William John Coffee, 15 February 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Hon bl Tho s Jefferson D st To W m John. Coffee To goods Shiped on the 16 of last December 1822 { as follows 20 Human masks in Composition at $1.25. Each 25.00 24 ox sulls in Composition at $1 36—Each 32.64
17To Thomas Jefferson from William John Coffee, 3 January 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
The day after receiving your last favour 30 of September I rode over to mr Maverick. I Called on him a few days back and understand, that work is Compleated and in your Possession I hope it does meet with your Entire Approbation. I now have the Pleaseur of Informing you that on the 15 th of Last Month I shiped in good Order, and in duble Cases the whole of your Ornaments for Bedford House, and...
18Enclosure: Arthur S. Brockenbrough’s Notes on Contract with William J. Coffee, [ca. 8 July 1822] (Jefferson Papers)
Extract from the agreement entered into betwe e n the Proctor of the University of V a & W. J. Coffee for the composition ornaments for the Entablatures of the drawing rooms &c at the U.V a Viz Ionic with modid modilions
19William J. Coffee to Thomas Jefferson, 25 June 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
The receiveing a letter from you was a Pleaseing favour which I had look’d for som time, and in answer as relates to the Engraving of the ground Plan of the University the letter that accompany s this will put you in Possession of wat you request to know. Mr. m. is a Gentleman of the first ability s in that art in this City and the date of Estimate will show that I had not neglected the favour...
20Enclosure: William J. Coffee’s Memorandum on His Work at the University of Virginia, [ca. 25 June 1822] (Jefferson Papers)
Progress of the work for the University I find I have taken this Worke much too Low I now think by $200. for have been obliged to model Every distinct ornament for the Purpose the Last of thease models I have now in hand, I then have to repeat the Each of theas for thee Quantey the Siz of thee Entablatures theare thee Led Ornaments Verey Larg which is Verey difficult to Cast that difficulty...
21William J. Coffee to Thomas Jefferson, 1 November 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
When last I had the Pleasure of seeing you, I think you had a disire to have your Picturs Cleaned & repired, and which you then Postponed on account of your been likely to be from home at the time you would wish to superintend the work, If you now have time to attend to them and feel the same disposition, it would give me much gratification to Pay you a Visit for that Purpose, I have nothing...
22William J. Coffee to Thomas Jefferson, 8 September [1822] (Jefferson Papers)
About the midle of this month it was your request to have the ornaments for Bedford House , as well as the ornaments for the University they are all, in great fordwardness and will be redy for shipment on the Last of this month, no time has been Lost sincs I have been at home or have I applyed a single hour to any other Employ ment so verry Laboreous & difficult has been this undertaking. but...
23William J. Coffee to Thomas Jefferson, [1 September?] 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived in New York on the 18 of July much fatigued with a Journey of 1203 miles by Land, that is from Monticello to Canada & from Canada to N. York Via— Albany , and as Soon as I was recoverd from a slight Indisposition owing to the Heat of the season,
24Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 17 March 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by mr Coffee , an English gentleman of eminence in the arts of sculpture and painting. he has been for some time an inmate with us at Monticello , having been engaged in making the busts in plaister of myself and all the grown members of our family. he has done the same at mr Madison ’s and some other families of my neighborhood, and much in Richmond and to very general...
25William J. Coffee’s Estimate for Varnishing Thomas Jefferson’s Paintings, 16 March 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
On looking over M r Jefferson Paintings I find som of them will want much doing to and som not so much except that all must be well Varnished, I think they will take in time fifty days I Value My time when I am employed at five Dollars pr day, but in the case of M r Jeffersons Pictures I Shall Say three Dollars pr day. There are I think fifty Paintings and therefore the expencs can easily be...
26William J. Coffee to Thomas Jefferson, 5 January 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
After having promised to see you in person and to undertake the management of one of your Cisterns in N ov last , I Can Scarcely tell what to Say in extenuation unless it is to beg parton pardon if I have given any disappointment; the fact is, time has so Slipped thro’ my fingers in a manner I cannot well account for, and untill the prese n t moment, I have not had the Satisfaction of...
27To John Adams from William John Coffee, 26 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
I cant help Expressing my great disapointment at not being favored with an answer to my Solicitaions so Long Past, I know that I am to you a Stranger and on that accnt feel sorry to trouble or Intrude on your time or retirement, but at the same time having executed busts of all the other Presidents its proper to have yours I have also a considerable wish to Employ my talents on your bust to...
28To John Adams from William John Coffee, 10 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
I Som three weeks ago took the liberty of writing to you in Concequen ce of the Advice of Mr Jefferson’s but he I fear will no longer have Permission to give Advice he being given Over by his Physicians, but that Sad news you no doubt—Sir are too well aquainted with now Sir as I must Shortly go to Washington and the Cold wether would hinder my proceeding in The Modeling Sir will your goodness...
29William J. Coffee to Thomas Jefferson, 7 November 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
As I promised you at when at monticello , so had I previous to the reciept of your Verey pleaseing and welcom Commission made moste of the necessary Inquires with relation to your Cisterrns, to day I have as fare as I can completed my Inquires on that Subject. A Part of duty I owe to you past Kindness. [Duch Terras] thar is no Such thing in this City thare was som yeares Ago Imported Such A...
30Enclosure: William J. Coffee’s Memorandum to Thomas Jefferson on Roman Cement, [ca. 7 November 1818] (Jefferson Papers)
notes on the Roman Cement This Cement is not A Composition It is A natural production of A Very Extraodinary Kind I think it is Very Common in this Country, and Som future time I shall troubl you to Asist me in finding it out as I well understand the maner of manufatre and Application, and tharefor my Observation s to you as to the maner of usesing it may be depended on All the new and...