1Jared Sparks to Thomas Jefferson, 12 November 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
In addressing you I am not certain that I do not take an inexcusable liberty, but it is one, which I am prompted to take, by the interest I feel in the subject respecting which I am about to make some inquiries. I observe in your Life of Capt. Lewis , prefixed to Lewis & Clarke ’s Travels, a short notice of our unfortunate countryman, Ledyard . I have always been an ardent admirer of this...
2John Hollins to Thomas Jefferson, 4 August 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
The Rev d M r Sparks , the bearer of this, being on his travels in your part of Virg a and naturally feeling a desire to have an introduction to your worthy self—I have at the request of some of your friends, & my particular acquaintances, used the freedom to address you a few lines, introducing that Gentleman to your usual civilities & politeness=it is true I have no personal knowledge of M r...
3Jared Sparks to Thomas Jefferson, 20 August [1820] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Sparks accepts with pleasure Mr. Jefferson ’s invitation to dinner at 3 oclock. His friend and travelling companion, Mr. Steell of Baltimore will accompany him. RC ( NNPM ); partially dated; dateline at foot of text; addressed: “ Thomas Jefferson . Esqr. Montecello ”; endorsed by TJ as a letter of 20 Aug. 1820.
4Jared Sparks’s Account of a Visit to Monticello, [20 August 1820] (Jefferson Papers)
But one of the greatest curiosities I met with was Thomas Jefferson . Whether you will call this a natural or an artificial curiosity, I am puzzled to know. At all events, I went to see him at the exhibition-house at Monticello , up a long hill, which is almost daily trod by many a weary pilgrim’s foot. I was very kindly received and politely treated; and I think there are very few persons who...
5Jared Sparks to Thomas Jefferson, 18 September 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope you will pardon the liberty I take in sending you a work, which I have lately published, and which accompanies this note. I know not whether the sentiments advanced in it agree in any respect with yours; but should you have leisure & inclination to look it over, I trust you will not be displeased with its manner & spirit. You will at least be ready to countenance any fair and liberal...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Jared Sparks, 13 January 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope you will pardon me for the liberty I take in sending you the last number of the North American Review. I have thought you might be pleased to see an article, which I have there drawn up, on the subject of colonizing free blacks in Africa. The interest, which you formerly took in the subject, encourages me to this belief. In another part of the work, (p. 163) you will see I have made...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Jared Sparks, 3 April 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
For some time past I have been contemplating a publication on the American Revolution, intended to embrace the substance of the most authentic materials, particularly such manuscript papers & documents, as have not yet been made public. In perusing the histories of the revolution hitherto written, I have been forcibly impressed with the belief, that the best of them exhibit only the shadows of...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Jared Sparks, 13 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your kind favor of 8 th ult o reached me in Raleigh, and I write to thank you for the willingness you express to promote my project of a history of the Revolution. As my tour has already been much longer in duration than I expected, and as pressing duties at home demand my speedy return, I am compelled for the present to deny myself the pleasure of the visit to Monticello, which I...
9To James Madison from Jared Sparks, 12 April 1827 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed letter from Mrs Randolph was forwarded to me, with the expectation that I should hand it to you in person, but I have been prevented till the present time from proceeding farther south. In a few days, however, I hope to have the honor of waiting on you, and my chief motive for sending this letter in advance is, that I may intimate to you some of the purposes for which I am...
10Jared Sparks’s Visit to Montpelier, 25 April 1827 (Madison Papers)
April 25th, Wednesday. Breakfast at Orange Court House. Rode thence to Mr. Madison’s, four miles distant, where I spent the day most agreeably. My principal object in visiting Mr. Madison was to converse on historical matters pertaining to General Washington and Revolutionary times. I found him affable, ready to converse, full of interesting facts, and communicative. A few particulars related...