11William W. Hening to Thomas Jefferson, 22 October 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have now the pleasure of presenting to you the first volume of the Statutes at Large, which was published on yesterday, only. In the execution of this work I have had to encounter many difficulties; but I have spared no pains to render it as perfect as possible. The typography is the best that could be procured in this place, where I was compelled to publish it, for the purpose of revising...
12William W. Hening to Thomas Jefferson, 4 September 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received from M r George Jefferson your volume of sessions acts from 1734 to 1772, inclusive.—The acts of 1773, which are stated to have been lost from your collection, I have in my possession. The first volume of the statutes at large will be published in a few days. It comes down to the termination of the commonwealth of England ; and gives an entirely different view of our history,...
13William W. Hening to Thomas Jefferson, 31 July 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 25 th Inst. has just come to hand; and, for your attention to my request, be pleased to accept my thanks. Of the MSS. received from you, those containing the laws from 1639 to 1660 inclusive, were deficient, except the acts of a few Sessions: contained in the MS. procured from the ex rs of M r Bland — I had no difficulty, however, in supplying the defect, having procured...
14William W. Hening to Thomas Jefferson, 8 July 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have lately received a letter from Judge Tucker , inclosing an extract from a gentleman in Salem (Mass.) who is collecting materials for a history of printing in America , from its first introduction.—The writer suggests, that at one period, the publication of News-papers, in Virginia , was either discouraged or totally prohibited; and the object of Judge Tucker ’s enquiry of me is, to know,...
15William W. Hening to Thomas Jefferson, 23 April 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have not sooner acknowledged the receipt of the MSS which you were so obliging as to send me, because I was unwilling to trespass for a moment on your time, which was incessantly occupied with the cares of government, and in an honest endeavour to avert those evils with which the injustice of the two great belligerent powers of Europe seemed to threaten us.—Permit me to congratulate you on...
16To Thomas Jefferson from William Waller Hening, 31 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Just as I was about to take the stage for Charlottesville, I was summoned to attend a council which will meet after the departure of the mail, and which cannot be formed without me, owing to the sickness and absence of members.—I regret therefore the impossibility of meeting you at Monticello, during your present visit.—I will avail myself of the arliest opportunity to realize your obliging...
17To Thomas Jefferson from William Waller Hening, 24 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
It was my intention to have taken the stage for Charlottesville, on this day, but learning from Mr Law that your stay at Monticello would be rather longer than I at first apprehended; and the session of the Court of Appeals, in which my presence is necessary, not having terminated; I am induced to postpone the journey till next week. I believe that I have now collected every MS volume of our...
18To Thomas Jefferson from William Waller Hening, 17 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Perceiving from the public prints, that you have lately left the seat of Government on a short visit to Monticello, I am desirous of arranging with you, while there, the materials for the edition of the Statutes at Large which I am about to publish.—I shall take the stage next week, for Albemarle, in order to confer with you on the subject; and should you contemplate an absence from Monticello...
19To Thomas Jefferson from William Waller Hening, 7 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I merely comply with the request of the Judges of the Court of Appeals in addressing this letter to you. Well aware of the variety & importance of your public engagements, it is with great difficulty that I can prevail on myself to trouble you with concerns of minor importance, however interesting they may be to individuals. During the last session of the court of Appeals, six cases were...
20To Thomas Jefferson from William Waller Hening, 15 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I know not whether it be proper to address this letter to you; but I hope you will ascribe it rather to an ignorance of the correct channel of communication that to a wish to offer you any disrespect.—I am induced, however, to write directly to you, because the circumstance to which I wish to call your attention was considered by me an individual and not an official act. In this, I may have...