1From Francis Walker Gilmer to Alexander Garrett, 30 April 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this day received of Alexander Garrett, Bursar of the university of Virginia, two sets of bills of exchange, amounting to £2.110.. 7..0. Sterling, drawn by Joseph Marx on Mesrs. Gowan & Marx of London. The first set of bills, amounting to Eighteen hundred pounds Sterling, to be applied to the purposes of the university, according to instructions; the second set, amounting to three...
2Francis W. Gilmer to Thomas Jefferson, 18 August 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I am penetrated with regret at the death of your illustrious friend, and I would fain call him mine— Mr. DuPont (de Nemours) —It is a consolation to me that I had redeemed before his death every promise which I ever made him.—His treatise on National Education was translated, of which I apprized him before I heard that he was indisposed. So long as he lived his own genius preserved the...
3Francis W. Gilmer to Thomas Jefferson, 8 October 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
one of the last injunctions of our excellent & ever to be cherished friend Mr Corrêa , was, that I should send a small quantity of the ashes of Salsola kali to D r Cooper , that he might learn whether it contain as much Soda when growing remote from the sea, as when contiguous to it. The season being rather far advanced for a fair experiment even when I returned to Richmond , I lost little...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 15 September 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I have given you so much bad news, that I determined to delay writing a few days, that I might communicate something more agreable. When I returned from Edinburgh, where my ill success, is in fact to be ascribed (I am well assured) to the ill will of some of our Eastern Bretheren, who had just before me, been in Scotland, I determined to remain at London, as the most convenient point for...
5Francis W. Gilmer to Thomas Jefferson, 15 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I have now the honor to inclose you the subscription to the central college . I have set about manuscript papers in some other counties with a request that they be forwarded to you or M r Madison . Some subscriptions will be made in Fauquier . P.S. one gentleman from particular circumstances has subscribed 300$ less than he at one time promised—which makes the whole amount that much less than...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 10 August 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your letter of the 5 th and should have called to see you, but for my constant unwillingness to add another to the crowd of visitors who harass & oppress you. My health is much improved, and I hope the Springs will quite restore it to me. I set out tomorrow or the next day for “Bowyers White Sulphur,” where I shall remain about three weeks. MoSHi : Francis Walker Gilmer Papers.
7To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 27 January 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I send by Mr. Garrett, a short report, such as my state of health enables me to make out at a sitting, without being irksome. I will enter into details when I see you, which shall be as soon as the roads are passable. I send also, a catalogue of the books & apparatus. Part only of the books have arrived. They should be opened without delay. Some delay I fear will occur, in sending a portion of...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 10 May 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received from Mr Minor, a note urging me to call on you to day. Had my health permitted, I should have been with you weeks ago, but I can neither bear the fatigue of so long a ride, nor of continued conversation, and should be every way a troublesome & unprofitable guest to you. I hope in a week, to be able to see you. But my present health, & the long continuance of my sickness, render...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 12 March 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I kept no copies of the numerous notes which passed between Mr. Barlow and myself, on the subject of Mr. Bonnycastles engagement, but I have a very distinct recollection of the offer & assurances I made. you will observe, that the contract with D r Blaettermann allows him only $1000 salary after the first year. Without any very specific understanding with D r Dunglison & Mr. Key, in my...
10Francis W. Gilmer to Thomas Jefferson, 18 March 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose this letter to Mr. Jefferson both because it is an injustice to Ticknor to deliver even a message from him in any other words than his own, and because I am sure it will give him pleasure to hear young Terril thus spoken of by such a man. In the ‘ darkness visible ’ of Richmond , it is a happiness, a privilege, to be illuminated by the radiance of such a mind. If the enemies of...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 21 June 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to you at Liverpool informing you of my arrival on the 6 th Hatton lying immediately in my way to London, I determined to call on D r Parr: unluckily for me, he had gone to Shrewsbury; and I shall be obliged to visit Hatton again, before I go to Oxford. Since my arrival in London eight days ago, Mr. Rush (who is soon to return to the US) has been so constantly engaged, that he could do...
12Francis W. Gilmer to Thomas Jefferson, 23 June 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
It is never without self-reprehension that I make a request which can for a moment draw your mind from the great concerns in which it is constantly engaged. But you are the only person living who can answer a very interesting question which has arisen in the general court . A citizen of Virginia has been indicted before that tribunal for a felony committed in George Town in the district of...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 14 January 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I have delayed perhaps longer than I ought informing you, that the state of my health renders it impossible I should join the university by February. For my own part, I have been so long sick, & growing worse, that I have little hope of ever being good for any thing again. I know the delicacy which the interests of the university requires. There will be a considerable law class concevened...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 28 May 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
on my arrival here, I found two letters and a bill of lading from Gowan and Marx, concerning the books you have already received. His letter does not apprise me, whether the two shipments of books he mentions, completes the order. a copy of a letter from Bohn to Marx, mentions also, a small box of books consisting of additions, omissions &c. to that part of the order to be executed in London....
15Francis W. Gilmer to Thomas Jefferson, 29 November 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr William B. Page of Frederick has put into my hands as counsel a long record, from which I find, that on the 3 d Augt. 1787. a judgement was obtained by yourself and Mr Eppes executors of Mr Wayles against Col: Byrd for £96.. 12.. 9. 3. and costs—when assets. Mr Page is executor of Mrs Byrd who was executrix of her husband
16To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 23 February 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yesterday from Mr. Key, a letter from D r Birkbeck of London, inclosing another from Mr. Harwood, of which I deem it my duty to apprize the visitors of the university. Mr. Harwood is the Lecturer on Natural History, at the Royal Institution, London. He was the only person I had any idea of employing in this department, of whom I could hear. His engagements however would not permit...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 13 August 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
It is now more than a fortnight since I arrived at the ancient capitol of Scotland. The first four or five days were spent, in making inquiries for persons fit for any of our purposes, but especially for anatomy, natural history, and natural philosophy, for I had well satisfied myself in England, that we could not, except by chance, procure either of the latter there. In all Scotland, from all...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 3 December 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I avail myself of the first moment of leisure, to answer your letter of the 23 d nov r which requires the less consideration, because the same wish had already been intimated to me, long ago, by three of your colleagues. An acceptance of the ulterior appointment, as you observe, goes to an entire change of my whole plan of life: and the prudence or propriety of making so total an alteration in...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 26 December 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here on saturday after a very fatiguing journey from New York, staying two days in Baltimore, & as many in Norfolk. I did not write to you after receiving your last letter because I hoped to see you before this. I find myself so weak & so much exhausted by the Steam boats, that I think it imprudent to try the stages to charlottesville. as soon however as I can bear the journey I...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 13 March 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you a very full account of all that passed between Mr B. & myself. I am astonished he should be so entirely in error, from any thing I ever said or, wrote, for I know not what Mr Barlow may have told him. I am surprised that the books from the continent which were to be shipped in Nov r were not shipped on 29 th Jany. I cannot understand this. I have been waiting 6 weeks for a letter...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 31 January 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Intelligence has at last reached us, that the Competitor is not lost; it put into Plymonth in the gale, & was there on the 8 th Dec r We may expect the professors every day. The delay is vexatious, but less distressing than the loss of the professors would have been. MoSHi : Francis Walker Gilmer Papers.
22To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 12 November 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just arrived in 35 days from Cowes, of Continuel tempest, emaciated to a shadow, not by sea sickness only, but by the bitter aggravations of a violent fever the whole way, exasperated by want of a physician, of medicine, of food, of rest, & of attendance. I shall be here some time to recruit. I am happy to inform you, I have engaged all the professors but for the chair of natural...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 13 January 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I have deferred writing to you, with the daily expectation of setting out to see you. My strength after so long a confinement naturally returns very slowly, and even now it would fatigue me too much to travel by the stage to Albemarle, nor can I consent to accept the private carriages which have been offered me. I am very desirous to see you, & to report to you fully my conduct, opinions &c....
24To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 6 May 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received both packets you forwarded. I arrived here this morning at 10 o’clock, and have already taken a birth, on board the Cortes, (Capt. De Cost) which sails on Saturday (the 8 th ) at 10’ o’clock for Liverpool. Permit me to suggest that if the Bursar has any option in the matter, he would find the Bank of Virginia more prompt and liberal in its dealings than the F.rs. The Cortes is...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 6 June 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Within this hour, I have arrived at Liverpool, after a voyage of 26 days from New York to Hollyhead. We were six days beating in St. George’s channel, against a wind dead ahead and it still continuing, I determined to disembark at Hollyhead, & to proceed by land thro’ Wales. I was obliged to come by this place, else I should have gone directly to London. I shall remain here only long enough,...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 28 November 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
D r Blaettermann will arrive in the Trident, bound from London, to new York; & I wonder he is not in. The other professors will arrive in the Liverpool Packet of the 16 th octr. at new York also, & that too, must be here in a few days. My health is still so low, & my future strength so precarious, after such a continued & dreadful shock, that I could not with propriety give a positive...
27Francis W. Gilmer to Thomas Jefferson, 15 November 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment received the farewell of Mr. Corrêa to Virginia , to you, and to us all. I cannot so well acquit myself of the obligation his kindness has laid me under, as by inclosing his letter to you. I who know the sincerity of the sentiments it contains, can appreciate its worth. Read it, and be good enough to return it at your leisure. RC ( MoSHi : Gilmer Papers); at foot of text: “...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 30 November 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I observe from the paper, that both the Trident, & the Columbia (Liverpool packet) have just arrived at this port, and no doubt our professors with them; but being too ill to be of any service to them, I may not perhaps see them. They could not at the time procure a passage to the Chesapeak. It may be of use to you in making fixtures for their reception, to know, that, Blaettermann has a wife...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 1 December 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I am here looking after a mild air, and have had for eighteen days the most unpleasant weather I ever knew, at this season. If I have strength to lecture, I shall begin on the 1 st Feby. I am tired of long inactivity, and had rather die in harness than in the stable. I found a door to connect the chamber with the study in the Corinthian pavilion, absolutely necessary to any comfort, and hope...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 24 January 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I am glad to hear you are so well. My health is such that I can only say I have denied every body. I could not talk with you two minutes without injury. Moreover I am forbidden to go down a high pair of stairs. When I can hold a conversation & leave my room, I shall still be proud of the honour you now offer me. MoSHi : Francis Walker Gilmer Papers.