1To 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...
2To 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...
3To John Adams from William John Coffee, 16 October 1818 (Adams Papers)
The Subject of which I write I believ you are Acquainted with by the Honorabl Thos Jefferson & lines he wrote to me relates to my being Employed—to take a Small Bust of you Head—I have being Employed by Mr J. Madison & his Excellence Mr Munro & many others of celebrity—in June last at Monticelo Mr Jefferson Inform’d me he had wrote to you on the Subject and of you willingness to admit me to...
4To 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...
5To 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...
6To 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...
7To 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...
8To 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...
9To 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...
10To 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...