1To James Madison from Thomas Cooper, 15 November 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have sent you a copy of my lectures on political economy which I have found intelligible to the students here. I have also taken the liberty of sending a copy for Mr Eppes of Poplar forest near Lynchburgh which I request you would have the goodness to transmit to him. It is the copy marked * take off the envelope directed to you & there is a direction to him. I beg my kind respects to Mrs...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 23 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
The Students here, continued in open rebellion till this morning at 10 Clock, when after a very stormy meeting, the majority agreed, that they should all return to their duty. we had given notice, that to day we would suspend untill november next, every Student in College who refused. They have agreed to our calling up any witness whatever in case of an accusation against a student, and put...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 18 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I congratulate you, on the proper feeling for your long life of meritorious service that seems to pervade every part of our country, and I anticipate from it, in every way, a result such as your friends would wish, and ought to expect. May the attachment of your fellow citizens render the close of your useful life, equally comfortable and honourable. I should not trouble you now with a letter,...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 18 May 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you a newspaper paragraph of mine, which I have published with a view to do good. The proceedings of the State of Georgia strike me with horror. My facts, are from a friend & neighbour (Gen l Wade Hampton) who has just arrived from New Orleans through the Creek nation. I cannot doubt your agreeing with my views of this melancholy subject. I have sent copies to heads of Departments at...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 15 April 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I was exceeding glad to receive one more letter from without expecting it, and I rejoice to find that you are yet capable of exertion. I send you my Pamphlet on Consolidation in opposition the prevailing heresy of the General Welfare, & also my petition for the restoration of my fine imposed under the Sedition Law. You are not many years distant from the inevitable separation we must all...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 17 March 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope you have received about this time, a copy of my tract on Materialism which I ordered to be sent to you when printed from Philadelphia. I sent you some time ago a third edition of my tract on The Tariff. I see with infinite regret the ignorance or the cowardice of each of the Presidential Candidates on this Question: not one of them dares come out boldly on the one side or on the other...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 27 December 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged by your kind letter, and I would willingly pursue your advice if I could, by publishing the sequel to the tract I sent you, and which I think conclusive of the question. But the publisher of the tract you have refused to put his name to it as printer, and refused to sell it. I dare not give away any copies; the whole impression is in my library. I have sent one copy to...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 13 December 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I sent you some days ago the report of the Senate and the Message of the Governor of this state: I send you now the report of the house of representatives in relation to myself. You will find I have gained a victory: but it will only increase the caution and rancour of my fanatic opponents. & we have scotched the snake, not killed it. Hence my situation is far from comfortable here; for the...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 23 November 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I sent you a short time ago two pamphlets, both as yet unpublished. That on the Tariff I printed to distribute among our members of the legislature & at Congress. The other I shall be compelled to disseminate with great caution if at all. I have drawn up the Physiological arguments against the common metaphysics. the logical notion of the double nature of the animal Man, but altho’ written...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 18 June 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Foreseeing an approaching storm, I wrote to you, on the chance of being able to find shelter against its effects; but I have expressed myself in my letter to you not so clearly as I ought. I am fully of your opinion, that those who govern your University neither can or ought to give countenance to any rival establishment public or private in its neighbourhood. My views were these: It is...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 6 May 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged by your letter. I fear however that you overrate the theological liberality of this State. my representation to the legislature last session, and some pieces on the pretensions of the clergy to Tythes which have been copied into a paper here, from a Philadelphia publication the “Reformer”, have so exasperated the Presbyterian clergy, that they have been, and now are holding...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 12 March 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I sent you last winter two printed copies of the report of the legislative committee on the affairs of the College, unanimously adopted by the house. I sent them, because every public testimony in my favour, tends to justify your former kind recommendation of me to the Visitors of your University. I hope that report will serve as sufficient proof that you were not mistaken, the clergy...
13To James Madison from Thomas Cooper, 21 December 1822 (Madison Papers)
I take the Liberty of inclosing you a report concerning ⟨the⟩ State of our College. I remain always with the ⟨highest?⟩ respect, Dear Sir Your obedient Servant RC ( DLC ). Docketed by JM. The enclosure may have been the one-page Report of the Committee on the College, on So Much of the Governor’s Message as Relates to the College, Also on the Presentments from Chester and York. Wm. J. Grayson...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 21 December 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I understand the inclosed report was adopted by the House of R. this morning. There has been every possible effort made on the part of the Presbyterian and Baptist clergy to put down this College, by denouncing it under my care, as the seat of infidelity and tyranny. The report propagated by them throughout this state, North Carolina, and (as M r Preston tells me) Virginia, were, that this...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 20 November 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your letter. Our town here is crouded with Presbyterian parsons; they are a systematic and persevering sect, and while they have the address to cajole the people out of their money, their power will encrease. he who has any regard for the peace of himself & his family can venture to stem this tide of fanaticism? About 20 Years hence the prevailing sect among the...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 18 October 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I spent the three months of vacation at this College, in an excursion to various parts of the State of Pennsylvania, chiefly for the purpose of attending to some land concerns in which I am interested. I write to you now, for the purpose of giving you some idea of the progress of fanatacism, which I could not have figured to myself if I had not had the advantage of extensive personal...
17Enclosure: South Carolina College Faculty’s Account of Student Disturbances, 7 February 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
THE FACULTY Of the SOUTH-CAROLINA COLLEGE , with respect to the late occurrences , desire to state , THAT during the month of January, 1822, the Classes of Students had repeatedly, in a body, absented themselves voluntarily sometimes from prayers, and sometimes from recitations. It became necessary to stop this practice; for otherwise the College business would be subject to the controul of...
18Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 14 February 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you the history of a College rebellion (an annual case here) which p may be put by among the memoires pour servir à l’histoire du gouvernement academique ; facts that furnish some useful conclusions. You are to consider as true in addition the following facts: viz That the Professors have never been absent from a single recitation, so far as I know, since I have been at this College ....
19Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 30 June 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that Mr Eppes passed his examination with credit to himself, and satisfaction to the faculty , & to the Trustees who were present. I have no doubt that his next year will be spent profitably, as I clearly perceive a spirit of literary emulation among the young men here of all Classes. His talents are certainly above par, and his industry induces me to hope &...
20Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 23 June 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you the account of our collegiate Studies, which the Trustees have directed to be published. It does not meet my full concurrence, but under all circumstances, it is very well. I much doubt if there is a better appointed Institution in the United States than this. Our mathematical professor , with great modesty, and great industry in teaching, ranks with Bowditch , Audraine & Nulty ;...
21To James Madison from Thomas Cooper, 12 March 1821 (Madison Papers)
When I first engaged to act as chemical Professor at the south Carolina College, I refused to contract for a longer period than a twelve month, expressly on account of my engagement in Virginia. At my departure from this place last autumn, I refused making any promise to return here on a permanent engagement, untill I had an opportunity of ascertaining the prospects of the Charlottesville...
22Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 12 March 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I am glad to find from M r Eppes ’s information, that the Legislature of Virginia has enabled the Visitors of the University to proceed with their Plan. When I passed by Montecello , it was with a view principally to ascertain whether any strong probability could be counted upon, as to the appointment of Professors; meaning to regulate my conduct here, by the information I could obtain at your...
23Thomas Cooper’s Order on Alexander Garrett, 20 October 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
Please to pay to my order, at the Bank of Virginia in Richmond , on the first day of January 1821 , Seven hundred and fifty dollars, being the remaining portion of the sum of fifteen hundred dollars, allowed me as Professor, by the Visitors of the University of Virginia at Charlottesville . MS ( ViU: TJP-PP ); in Cooper ’s hand, with notations in other hands as indicated; at foot of text in...
24Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 1 October 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I find it impossible to be with you so early as the 11 th of this month , I will therefore defer my visit, to Poplar forest , which will not be out of my way from Richmond to Columbia . I send you and M r Madison to day a pamphlet which I know not how to account for not having been Sent before. The contest so disgraceful to the Democracy of this state
25Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 8 September 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Vaughan cut the inclosed out of a Carolina Paper that came here yesterday. I suppose it must have been of date about the last of last month. I understand there have been no cases of sickness but among the irish who work on the Canal. I am with great respect RC ( MHi ); endorsed by TJ as received 24 Sept. 1820 and so recorded in SJL . Enclosure: clipping, pasted at foot of text, from the...
26Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 1 September 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote hastily yesterday for fear of losing the post. But as I believe I am in time to day, I write to say that I think there is nothing to be apprehended at Columbia in point of health. There is no swamp, no stagnant water near it; the mist of the River grounds, has never been known to cross the main street; and during the three last years, it has not only been healthy, but singularly so....
27Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 31 August 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
When I can be at Monticello I cannot yet determine. I attend to your movements. I write to say, that Columbia is situated on a Sand bank. One mile from the River, & 200 feet above it. I believe it to be as healthy, as any place in the Union, if I can judge from what I have seen of the place, & the uniform testimony of its most respectable Inhabitants. The situation impressed me with the common...
28Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 21 August 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for your friendly letter . I hope to go by land to Carolina & to be there, about the middle of Oct r . M rs Cooper takes my family by sea in November. I think if Mess rs Eppes & Baker are at Columbia by the beginning of the second week of Oct
29Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 12 July 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for your kind letter of the 4 th but I can give no decisive answer as to S. Carolina . The Trustees passed an unanimous resolution to apply to the Legislature for a new Professorship with 1000 Dlrs a year, giving me the option of Law or Geology and Mineralogy. I preferred the latter as more immediately connected with Chemistry, & they will apply for it. Whether the Legislature when...
30Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 3 May 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
On monday last 1 st instant , the board of Trustees of south Carolina College , at a regular meeting, (usually held here, during the courts of appeal in Law & Chancery , the Judges being Trustees) unimously unanimously determined That it should be proposed to and urged with the Legislature to appoint a Professorship of Geology and Mineralogy, or else a professorship of Law, with a Salary of...
31Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 24 April 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your letter announcing the prejudices excited among the people by the Clergy, without surprize. I have never published any thing on theological subjects in this country, but the Sentiments you may have read in my review of D r Priestley ’s philosophical & metaphysical writings. In England about 35 Years ago , I published something of the same kind, but neither here or there, any...
32Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 21 March 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yours of the 8 th yesterday. The contents greatly chagrined me, as it is on every account to be regretted that your Institution cannot go into operation till 1822; and even that period is contingent. I was right in the commencement of our correspondence on this subject, in taking into my calculations the chapter of accidents. I shall request M r Vaughan to transmit you a draught not...
33Enclosure: Thomas Cooper’s Order on Alexander Garrett, [by 3 March 1820] (Jefferson Papers)
Please to pay to the order of M r John Vaughan of this City seven hundred and fifty dollars being an anticipation in part of my salary as Professor in the University of Virginia agreably to the terms of my proposals in a letter to M r Jefferson of 25 Oct r 1819 MS ( ViU: TJP ); in Cooper’s hand, with notations in other hands as indicated; undated; adjacent to signature: “Treasurer of the...
34Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 1 March 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I have waited anxiously to hear from you whether I shall certainly be wanted at Charlottesville next Spring. My family are at a loss whe r to prepare for their departure thither, or to this place. I have this day received a letter from Richmond , enclosing the following extract from the Rev. J. H. Rice ’s evangelical Magazine for January last p 49. “ The Visitors of the University have made...
35Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 10 February 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
M rs Cooper writes to me that no letter has been received from you since my departure from Philadelphia , and desires to know whether she is to set out with her family to Virginia in the beginning of the Summer or sooner. My first course here, will end in June. my second will occupy four months of the next winter, when I shall quit this situation for Charlotte’sville If I am wanted there....
36Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 24 December 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I sent you yesterday a Democratic Press containing a view of the Missouri Question. I shall send the Seal &c by M r Stack . I set out to Charleston on Tuesday. By this days post I Send you a pamphlet to amuse you. should any thing occur, pray write to me at Columbia . As I know not whe r I shall be hear here again, I shall leave a draught either in favour of M r
37Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 18 December 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had the Seal for the University a long while by me, without knowing how to transmit it. The cost $16—which I think cheap. It is paid for. I shall set out to Columbia in South Carolina by the time you receive this. They have elected me Professor of Chemistry at the Columbia College ; at my request for 12 months only; as I stated to the trustees , my engagements in Virginia . should any...
38Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 24 November 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for your letter of the 19 th Inst . How I shall dispose of my own time next year, I know not. M rs Cooper is desirous of removing in Spring, and remaining there till I can join her; of course, if the garden walls could with propriety be finished round the garden, it would be a convenience. I have succeeded in my law suit , but the land I had verbally contracted to sell last April,...
39Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 25 October 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I have reflected on the proposal of the board of Visitors . Besides the untoward circumstances stated in my last letter to you , I have just received a letter from M r Wickliffe of Lexington Kentucky , stating that as I could not engage myself permanently there, in consequence of my previous engagement in Virginia , the board had declined the offer of my temporary assistance in favour of D r
40Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 22 October 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I received and perused with much surprize and regret, your communication of the 15 th Instant , announcing the Inability of the Visitors of the University of Virginia , to fulfil the proposals made to, and accepted by me. I was aware from what I had lately seen in the newspapers, that the Institution was under pecuniary difficulties, but I could not be aware of their extent, or their bearings....
41Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 11 October 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to you to Bedford Virginia , and since to Montecello . The castings were shipped about Six weeks ago to by M r John Vaughan who undertook the commission and thought it expedient to wait for a fresh assortment from the Furnace. The Bill will be presented to me and forthwith paid. About three months ago I procured a seal for the University , of which I sent you an impression: I did not...
42Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 13 September 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to you at the Bedford Springs of this State , supposing from what I saw in the newspapers, you might be there. The castings are at last furnished. J. Vaughan has undertaken to forward them according to your directions. The seal is done; & the impression sent to you, which as soon as it receives your approbation I will pay for, as I shall for the castings, when the account is sent to...
43Enclosure: Report on Thomas Cooper’s Collection of Minerals, 9 July 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
At the request of Professor Cooper , we have examined a Collection of Minerals, selected for the College of Charlottsville , and find them to consist of— 1st. Specimens of all the Rocks constituting the Primitive, Transition, Secondary and Flötz Formations. The specimens are large, and chiefly American. They fully illustrate the Geology of the United States , as far as it is at present known....
44Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 28 July 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Binns informs me he has sent you a copy of his Declaration of Independance; finished, except as to the arms of the United States ; and he desires me to say that when you have looked at it, he will feel himself obliged by any suggestion you may be inclined to make for the improvement of it; which he will carefully attend to. Mr Collins went to Baltimore just before the meeting of the...
45Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 21 June 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Vaughan has written to you that he will see to the Stoves & have them duly shipped. When I receive the acc t I will pay it. I have had much trouble in fixing on a Minerva. None to be found in Tooke , Spence , or any french Pantheon on authority. I examined Monfaucon , but I could find none worthy of being copied. I found the Minerva of Velletri in the
46Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, [22 April 1819] (Jefferson Papers)
M r John Vaughan as I am not yet able to walk about has undertaken to buy the Stoves and see them duly shipped to Cap t Peyton at Richmond to whom I will write when they are put on board the packet. I greatly regret to see in the papers that a wing of your house has been destroyed by fire: but I hope it amounts to no injury but what can be repaired. RC ( ViU: TJP ); partially dated at foot of...
47Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 18 April 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Ware is absent from Philadelphia I find, in order to take the benefit of the Insolvent Law in Delaware State . A respectable looking Quaker, a M r James has been twice with me, and appears to be a relation much interested in Ware ’s welfare. The result of the conversations is as follows. Ware will thankfully accept the terms you propose as to prices, which he considers as liberal. There...
48Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 15 April 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
M. Leshot found me yet confined to my bed; he gave me 125 Dlrs, and by the time he returns from New York , I shall in all probability be enabled to procure the Stoves. Mr Slack goes tomorrow to Norfolk & thence to Charlottesville . As to the Seal, I must wait till I can get up, and procure a classic drawing of the Peplon. The Peace Minerva, I believe has wings to her helmet. I know of no...
49Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 11 April 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
When you wrote to me concerning the advertisements and the Stoves, I was greatly oppressed with a cold and fever which prevented me from going about to look out for patterns. I put the advertisement three times at a week’s interval in the Democratic Press, and in like manner in Poulson’s daily advertiser. A fortnight ago dating from yesterday, I was attacked with pleurisy which has confined me...
50Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 13 [March] 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I have inserted the advertisement in the Democratic Press, and shall also insert it in Poulson’s paper: one democratic and one federal. I am glad there is to be a meeting of the visitors on the 29 th because it will afford an opportunity of laying before them my views of the situation proposed to me. My receipts here, are a few dollars above 3000 during the last year. The expences of my...