51Isaac Briggs’s Account of a Meeting with Madison [1 November 1820] (Madison Papers)
“11 mo. 1—Fourth day of the week. This morning, I went 5 miles to Montpelier, the se⟨at⟩ of James Madison, and arrived there before either James or his wife had proceeded from their lodging-room; Of course, I was there long before breakfast was ready. I remained here the whole of this day, and both James Madison and Dorothy entertained me with much friendly conversation, as well as with the...
52Isaac Briggs’s Account of a Visit to Monticello, 2–4 November 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
In my last letter to you, dated on the 7, I brought down to my arrival at Monticello the narative of the incidents of my journey. I will now continue the subject. 11 mo. 2—fifth day of the week , I reached Monticello about 4 o’clock afternoon. On entering the great hall I saw sitting just within the door a stranger; supposing him to be a member of the family, I asked him, “Is Thomas Jefferson...
53To Thomas Jefferson from Isaac Briggs, 24 February 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to introduce to thee my young friend Herman Boye. He is by birth a Dane, very modest and unassuming, yet possessing a handsome stock of science. He has been appointed to complete the map of Virginia left unfinished by Wood, and I think the appointment a good one. I need not say more, as he will present himself to thy observation. I will speak now of myself. The Board of Public Works...
54To James Madison from Isaac Briggs, 8 March 1823 (Madison Papers)
On the 30th. of January last the Board of Public Works of Virginia elected, for their principal engineer, Col. William McRee. This gentleman, who is beyond question a very accomplished military engineer, has declined the acceptance of that office on the ground that “its duties embrace the business of civil engineering in general, and its particular application to such objects of internal...