501Thomas Jefferson: Will and Codicil, 16-17 Mar. 1826, 16 March 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I Thomas Jefferson of Monticello in Albemarle, being of sound mind and in my ordinary state of health, make my last will and testament in manner and form as follows. I give to my grandson Francis Eppes, son of my dear deceased daughter Mary Eppes, in fee simple all that part of my lands at Poplar Forest lying West of the following lines, to wit, Beginning at Radford’s upper corner near the...
502From Thomas Jefferson to Arthur S. Brockenbrough, 21 November 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
The error of account with Giacomo Raggi may easily be corrected if he should return to this country. but this being doubtful, it may be proper for you to give me a copy of his account as settled and signed by him which I can transmit to Appleton who knows of the payment of the 200.D. and will see that it was not credited in the account. Can you now furnish me with your last half year’s account...
503From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Alexander Scammell Dearborn, 13 September 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 6 th and supposing it possible that mr Appleton may not have sent you an invoice of the cost of the marble for our University arrived in your port, so as to enable you to settle the duties, I inclose you his account furnished to me, by which you will see what their prime cost has been. these marble capitals were ordered Oct. 8. 1823. the new Tariff law...
504Enclosure: Thomas Jefferson’s Notice for Anonymous Insertion in Richmond Enquirer, [ca. 7 January 1822] (Jefferson Papers)
In our paper of the 3 d we quot under the head of the ‘Next President’ we quoted from the Petersbg Intelligencer the information of a Gentleman from Columbia S.C. on this subject mentioning that in a Caucus of the members assembled there for the nomn of a Presid t a letter was read from
505From Thomas Jefferson to Green Clay, 28 May 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 4 th is just now recieved, and I am sorry it is not in my power to give you any information on the subject of your enquiries. such a length of time has elapsed, so much is my memory impaired by age, and so much other matter has since past through it, dislodging what had preceded, that not a trace remains of any treaty with the Cherokees concerning the lands you mention. if...
506Thomas Jefferson to William H. Crawford, 5 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
The death of Gen l Kosciuzko , which I see announced in the papers in a form leaving no doubt of it’s truth, makes it a duty in me to trouble you with this letter. he possessed, as you know, a considerable sum of money in our funds. when he left the US. in 1798. he authorised me, by a power of attorney, to superintend the transaction of his business here, which has accordingly been done thro’...
507From Thomas Jefferson to Arthur S. Brockenbrough, 2 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I was just getting on my horse to see you when some members of Congress arrive and keep me at home. I am obliged therefore to request you to come to me , as it is of great necessity I should see you to-day if possible. we are called on by the Collector of Boston for immediate payment of our bond, due, as he says, the 6 th instant. I must answer him by tomorrow’s mail. ViU : Thomas Jefferson...
508From Thomas Jefferson to John Henry Sherburne, 2 July 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of June 29. was recieved yesterday. the fac-simile of the hand writing of J. P. Jones is good; but as to the engraving of his figure, I must in truth and candor say, it does not recall one single feature of his face to my perfect recollection of him. Houdon’s bust of him is an excellent likeness. why have they not taken a side-face of him from that? such an one would be perfect. and...
509Thomas Jefferson to John Hemmings, 18 December 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter was dated Tuesday the 11 th . came in the mail to Charlottesville Saturday night the 15 th . I recieved it the next day 16 th and it requested the mules to be at Poplar Forest on Monday (yesterday) the 17 th which was impossible. it moreover rained all day yesterday and last night. the boys set off this morning. I desired Jefferson to tell you to make out a bill of scantling for...
510From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Willson Peale, 15 September 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday, and with great pleasure, your favor of the 10 th informing me of your good health, which I hope may long continue. for 7. years past mine has been sensibly declining, and latterly is quite broken down. I have now been confined to the house, and chiefly to my couch, for 4 months, by a derangement of the urinary system, which as yet exhibits no prospect of a definite...
511Thomas Jefferson to Joshua Dodge, 22 August 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
It was not until the beginning of this month that I learned the death of my friend mr Cathalan , a friend of upwards of 30. years, whom I had learned to esteem by a personal acquaintance and many kindnesses recieved at Marseilles from himself, his father and mother , then living. from his constitution and habits, and my more advanced age I had hoped to have been spared the regrets of his loss....
512From Thomas Jefferson to J. Shriver, 21 December 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns his thanks to mr Shriver for the pamphlet and map he has been so kind as to send him on the Canal uniting the Eastern and Western waters. age & debility have in a great degree withdrawn his attention from all public concerns. still he rejoices to see national improvements going on, and especially those which are to facilitate intercourse with our Western brethren. he...
513Thomas Jefferson to John Laval, 12 March 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 3 d was received on the 10 th . I was at the time & now am engageg engaged in the sale of the produce of my farms of the last year which will be soon accomplished and your balance shall be remitted, say in the course of the present month. it should not have waited till now but for the unexampled drought from June last which kept the river which carries our produce to market,...
514Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 11 December 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Dec. 11. 19. wrote to Joel Yancy by Henry going with 2. mules to bring John Hemings E t c. & tools. that J.H. must put away all remaining stuff, first making a list of it for me that I may know what will be wanting for next year. send preserved peaches by him request Hepburn to come, see our streams, site & buildings & give a bill of scantling. I will pay the time & expence of the journey.
515Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 6 March 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I do not know by what individuals the association was formed which is the subject of the inclosed letter to mr Morse . I suppose them to have been few and private, and that the undertaking must have been on too partial a view of the subject. I observe your name not on the roll, and for a reason too light to have been the true one: and I suspect therefore it has been refused for good reasons....
516Thomas Jefferson to John Brazer, 24 August 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
The acknolegement of your favor of July 15 & thank s for the Review which it covered of mr Pickering ’s Memoir on the modern Greek have been delayed by a visit to an occasional but distant residence from Monticello , and to an attack here of rheumatism, which is just now moderating. I had been much pleased with the memoir, and was much also with your review of it. I have little hope indeed of...
517Thomas Jefferson to Jethro Wood, 23 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved on the 7 th of Nov. your favor of Oct. 1. and delayed it’s acknolegement until the arrival, within this week past, of the plough you have been so kind as to send me on the part of the firm of which you are a member. for this mark of their attention I pray them to accept my thanks. I have examined it with care, and think it promises well in all it’s parts; and shall exhibit it with...
518From Thomas Jefferson to Dabney Carr, 3 April 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
The contents of this letter must be an absolute secret between you and myself, not communicable, as yet , even to the partner of all your secrets, altho’ interested in it. Would you accept the chair of law in the University? your present place I know is honorable and profitable; but our professorship is preferable in every point of view. 1. an elegant and convenient house, offices and garden...
519Thomas Jefferson to Luis de Onís, 11 June 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you, Sir, for the Eulogy on D r Valli which you have been so kind as to send me . his devotion to the good of his fellow-men merited all which the Orator has said of him, and entitles him to a distinguished niche in our Martyrology. how far his experiments may contribute to the preservation of human life I am not qualified to judge; but it is much to be regretted that his last one was...
520Thomas Jefferson to Joshua Dodge, 19 April 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Jan. 1. came to hand on the 10 th inst. with information from the Collector of Boston of the arrival at that port of the Cadmus capt Jones , with the Ledanon wine, & it’s invoice. of the letter you mention of preceding date , and the articles by the brig Union of Marblehead , I have as yet heard nothing; and as she has been out long enough to excite apprehensions, I wrote immediately
521Thomas Jefferson to LeRoy, Bayard & Company, 29 May 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Availing myself of your kind indulgence in permitting the payment of my last instalment to be postponed, I this day desire my friend and correspondent in Richmond , mr Gibson , to remit you 432. D 25 C the interest on that instalment from Jan. 1. 1816. to the 15 th of the ensuing month of June , by which time I expect the remittance can reach you. it is true that having a few days past had...
522Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on Newspaper Subscriptions, [ca. 23 August 1817] (Jefferson Papers)
1817. Jan. 25. remitted him 70.D. of which 10.D. was for his paper to May 1. 1817. June 19. sent him 5.D. to May 1. 18 Duane . Nat l Intellig r 1813. Oct. 17. pd to Oct. 31. 12. 1817.
523Thomas Jefferson to Charles Yancey (1770–1857), 23 July 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I duly recieved your favor of the 12 th and chearfully undertook a compliance with your request. I now inclose the drawings you desired. every thing proposed in them is in the plainest style, and will be cheap altho’ requiring skill in the workmanship. without this it will be rendered barbarous in the execution. of one truth I have had great experience that ignorant workmen are always dearest....
524To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 30 December 1817 (Madison Papers)
I returned from Bedford a week ago, after an absence of 6. weeks, and found here the Palladio, with your two favors of Nov. 29. & Dec. 1 & with 3. from Dr. Cooper, written before he had received one from me of Nov. 25. from Poplar Forest. It was agreed, you know, that we should make a report of our proceedings & prospects to the Govr. as our patron to be laid before the legislature. Being...
525Thomas Jefferson to John Manners, 12 June 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of May 20. has been recieved some time since: but the increasing inertness of age renders me slow in obeying the calls of the writing table, and less equal than I have been to it’s labors. My opinion on the right of Expatriation has been so long ago as the year 1776. consigned to record in the Act of the Virginia code, drawn by myself recognising the right expressly, & prescribing...
526Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on Depositions in Jefferson v. Rivanna Company, [ca. 31 May–1 June 1819] (Jefferson Papers)
Colclaser . 9. bason 100.f long. dble width at lower end single width at upper. the spring valley would hold 4. times as much water as their bason. from from the corner of the mill house to this spring branch is about 40 f 13. the floor of Upper chamber 20.I. lower than the floor of the forebay. 14. the shoal occasions the want of double water to get through. the gates have steadily leaked...
527Thomas Jefferson to William Thornton, [29] January 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 9 th was 19. days in it’s passage to me, being received yesterday evening only. and now that I have recieved it, I wish that I could answer it more to your satisfaction. I must explain to you my situation. when I retired from office at Washington my intimacy with my successor being well known, I became the center of application from all quarters by those who wished...
528Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 27 June 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
Instead of the unintelligible sketch I gave you the other day, I send it drawn more at large. mrs Monroe & yourself may take some hints from it for a better plan of your own . this supposes 10.f. in front, and 8.f in flank added to your sills. a flat of 12.f. square is formed at the top, to make your present rafters answer, & to lighten the appearance of the roof. Affectionate and respectful...
529From Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton, 29 August 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I am almost as troublesome to you, my dear friend, as to my Physician, and with less reason as it is in his line & not in yours. but there being nothing to be had here, I am obliged to avail myself of your kindness for every little 2 d article which my situation requires. in mine of the 24 th I troubled you with a commission for catheters which I am in hopes of recieving by an early mail. I...
530Thomas Jefferson to John Wood (of New York), 9 December 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
It is so very troublesome and difficult to make small and fractional remittances into other states. a proof of this is my present remittance of a 5. Dollar note of the Bank of Virginia , because one of the US. bank cannot be had in this interior part of the country. this I believe pays my subscription to the New York sales report to the end of the present year, after which, for the reason...
531From Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton, 19 November 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
The books from Liverpool after which your letter of the 16 th enquiries, on behalf of the collector were sent by mr Dennison one of the members of parliament who was with us the last summer. I inclose you his letter which accompanied them it is so worded, that I might have considered them as a present to myself. but he says he had seen in the library of the University Tim Bobbin on the...
532To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 16 February 1823 (Madison Papers)
You already know that the legislature has authorised the literary board to lend us another 60.000 D. It is necessary we should act on this immediately so far as to accept the loan, that we may engage our workmen before they enter into other undertakings for the season. But the badness of the roads, the uncertainty of the weather and the personal inconvenience of a journey to the members of our...
533Thomas Jefferson to James W. Wallace, 29 May [1818] (Jefferson Papers)
On the Suddenness of the request in the moment of your departure for a keep- sake in the style of Gen l Washington ’s & General Braddock ’s razors, I could not at once recollect any thing exactly suitable. it has since occurred that the travelling razor case which I have been in the habit of using, might be a deposit for those razors, and make a compact thing of the whole, and as it is light I...
534Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 30 June 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I am become quite delinquent in epistolary correspondence; my right wrist, from an antient dislocation, grows now so stiff, as to render writing a slow and painful operation, and has produced an aversion to the pen almost insuperable. I go therefore to the writing table under the spur of necessity alone. The delay in the opening of our seminary in this neighborhood has proceeded entirely...
535Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton, 15 February 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I was startled on reciept of yesterday of yours of the 11 th finding I had been off my guard as to the renewal of my notes. I now send them to you. I must pray you to remit to mr M c Culloch without delay 5. D 35 C duties E t c on the books. were it not for these odd 35. cents I would have saved you this trouble by inclosing him a 5.D. bill. instead of the four barrels of Roman cement be...
536Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Ewell, 28 September 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
On my return after an absence of three weeks from home, I found here your favor of the 6 th inst. I concur with you entirely in favor of hospitals, and think the religion of a place more justly tested by the number of it’s hospitals than of it’s churches. I return you the Note inclosed in your letter , and sincerely sympathise with your misfortunes, which the evils of the times have suffered...
537From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 22 March 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
George Tucker accepts, as you know, and will be in place early in April. Emmet accepts and will be here about the same time. Henry S t George Tucker declines, expressly on the grounds of the local attachments of his family, with abundance of thanks E t c to the Visitors; Barbour throws a greedy grapple at both places. I inclose you his letter and my answer. I have still some hope that when he...
538Thomas Jefferson to Patrick Gibson, 22 May 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
According to the notice in yours of the 16 th I now inclose blank notes for renewal in the banks. It was very unfortunate that the offer for my tobacco at Lynchburg was not accepted the sale at Richmond having yielded (after taking off the water carriage) but 5 ½ Doll. instead of 8 ½ at Lynchburg . it seems that the quality of that tob o is more prized there than at
539Thomas Jefferson to Charles Willson Peale, 28 December 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
‘ Nothing is troublesome which we do willingly ’ is an excellent apophthegm, and which can be applied to no mind more truly than yours. on this ground I am sure you will be so good as to exchange the pair of inkglasses you sent me, & which the furnisher will doubtless exchange. they are a little too large to enter the sockits of my the polygraph I keep in Bedford , as I found on a late visit...
540From Thomas Jefferson to William Hilliard, 22 May 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 9 th has been duly recieved. our money is deposited in the bank of Virginia and Farmer’s bank in Richmond and our Bursar will write by the next mail (of the 25 th ) to have the sum of 18,000. D. immediately deposited to your credit in the bank of the US. at Philada. I have added 3000. D. to the 15. M originally agreed upon. further than this our funds do not admit us to go at...
541From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Kercheval, 5 September 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of the 25 th ult. requesting permission to publish my letters of July 12. and Sep. 5. 1816. but to this I cannot consent. they were committed to your honor and confidence under express injunctions against their publication, and I am happy to learn that that confidence has not been misplaced. the reasons too, then opposed to it, have gained greater strength by...
542From Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton, 1 October 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
$1000. Sixty days after date, I promise to pay t o Bernard Peyton or order, without offset, negotiable and payable at the Farmers Bank of Virginia , one thousand Dollars, — Cents. Value received. MHi .
543Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on the Geographic Center of Virginia’s Population, [before 28 June 1818] (Jefferson Papers)
Counties on the Western waters. Brooke 5,511 Ohio 7,735 Monongalia 12,442 Wood 2,586 Harrison 9,499 Randolph 2,743
544Thomas Jefferson to David Easton, 14 January 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I am truly sorry it is not within my power to give you any information on the subject of the enquiries in your letter of the 9 th . during the revolutionary war Col o Harrison ’s services were employed in the army, mine chiefly in the cabinet and very much within my own state, so that I never had an opportunity of acquaintance with Col o Harrison . at the close of the war I was sent to Europe...
545Thomas Jefferson to Hutchins G. Burton, Thomas Cooper, and Samuel Brown, 28 September 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
The government of the U.S. at a very early period, when establishing it’s tariff on foreign importations, were very much guided in their selection of objects, by a desire to encourage manufactures within ourselves. Among other articles then selected were books, on the importation of which a duty of 15. per cent was imposed, which, by ordinary custom-house charges, amount to about 18 per cent,...
546From Thomas Jefferson to John Vaughan, 19 October 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Raggi called on me yesterday and explained to me the contents of the two boxes of marble arrived at Philadelphia to my address from mr Appleton. the one containing a truncated column 32. I. high, 16 I. diam the other contains the base of the column. I have recieved no bill of lading from mr Appleton, nor other invoice but his general account which therefore I now inclose you. it is the upper...
547Thomas Jefferson to William D. Meriwether, [1 November 1819] (Jefferson Papers)
I recieve this on Monday the 1 st of November a quarter before 11. aclock A.M. and am too unwell to attend RC ( TxDaHCL: JDRC ); on verso of Meriwether to TJ, 30 Oct. 1819 ; partially dated. Not recorded in SJL .
548Thomas Jefferson’s Statement of Taxable Property in Albemarle County, 1 February 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
A list of the taxable property of the subscriber in Albemarle Feb. 1. 1818. 4896 ⅓ acres of land. 2. white tythes to wit E. Bacon and myself. 48. slaves of 16. and upwards. 7.
549From Thomas Jefferson to Dabney Carr, 13 June 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of troubling you with a small commission of enquiry to which I will not add that of a long preamble. Mess rs Dodge & Iznard of Marseilles, by a letter of Feb. 18. 26. advised me that they had shipped 2 casks of wine for me on board the ship Mandarin A. M. Norman Master, bound to the port of Baltimore, and consigned for me to the Collector of that port. that letter I recieved...
550Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton, 24 January 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
In a former letter I asked the favor of you to forward to me by waggon a box of books which I expected from N. York . but I presume they are ice-bound in James river . among a number of boxes of other things from Alexandria which I suppose are in Richmond and which must wait till the boats can run, there is a box of 50. ℔ raisins which I would gladly recieve by waggon also: the box is marked T...