1John 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...
2To James Madison from Jared Sparks, 22 May 1827 (Madison Papers)
After my return to Mount Vernon I looked through the letter books, and noted down the dates of all the letters recorded as having been sent to you by General Washington. The list is enclosed. Should you find upon inspection, that you possess letters of importance not comprised in this list, I hope you will have the goodness to furnish me with copies of the same. The letter dated Jany. 1789,...
3Jared Sparks to James Madison, 30 March 1831 (Madison Papers)
Having recently engaged to write a life of Gouverneur Morris, which is to be published with a selection from his writings, I take the liberty to apply to you for a few hints respecting the part he acted in the Convention of 1787. From several quarters I have understood, that he was an active member, and had a good deal of weight and influence, but the published account of that convention is so...
4Jared 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...
5Jared 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...
6Jared Sparks to James Madison, 14 November 1831 (Madison Papers)
My mind has got into a new perplexity about Pinckney’s Draft of a Constitution. By a rigid comparison of that instrument with the Draft of the Committee reported August 6th, they are proved to be essentially, and almost identically, the same thing. It is impossible to resist the conviction, that they proceeded from one and the same source. This being established, the only question is, whether...
7To James Madison from Jared Sparks, 29 December 1827 (Madison Papers)
As Col. Peyton left Boston unexpectedly he did not receive the parcel of letters, as you proposed; but I forwarded them soon after by Col. Storrow, from whom I presume they came safely to your hands. I am now on my way to Washington preparatory to my departure for Europe, and if the letters have been sent to Mr Barbour I shall obtain them, but should this not have been done, you can keep them...
8To James Madison from Jared Sparks, 27 February 1828 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 7th: of January came safely to hand. I trust you have before this time received the packet of letters sent by Col. Storrow. Had any accident befallen them I think he would have informed me. It is probable he has waited for a safe conveyance. I have written him on the subject. As all Genl. Washington’s papers are put up in chests, and deposited in the safety vault of an...
9To James Madison from Jared Sparks, 25 August 1827 (Madison Papers)
Your two very obliging letters of May 30th. and Aug. 6th. have been received. Although you have already seen some of the letters sent by you to General Washington, yet I have tho’t it best to put the whole in the parcel, which I have left with Mr Coolidge for Col. Peyton. You will understand, therefore, that this parcel contains all the letters from you, which I have found among General...
10Jared Sparks to James Madison, 16 April 1835 (Madison Papers)
Will you allow me to ask a favor, which I cannot doubt you will very readily grant? By some accident, for which I cannot account, a letter from you to General Washington, dated Decr. 9th. 1786, has been mislaid or lost. I think I remember having seen the letter, but whether it was in the parcel that I sent to you I cannot say. General Washington alludes to it in such a manner, that it seems...