51Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 7 November 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Three long and dangerous illnesses within the last 12. months must apologise for my long silence towards you. The paper bubble is then burst. this is what you & I, and every reasoning man, seduced by no obliquity of mind, or interest, have long foreseen. yet it’s disastrous effects are not the less for having been foreseen. we were laboring under a dropsical fulness of circulating medium....
52To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 14 March 1820 (Adams Papers)
A continuation of poor health makes me an irregular correspondent. I am therefore your debtor for the two letters of Jan. 20. & Feb. 21. it was after you left Europe that Dugald Stuart, concerning whom you enquire, and Ld. Dare, second son of the Marquis of Lansdowne came to Paris. they brought me a letter from Ld. Wycombe whom you knew. I became immediately intimate with Stuart, calling...
53Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 5 May 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Absences and avocations have had prevented my acknoleging your favor of Feb. 2. when that of Apr. 19. arrived. I had not the pleasure of recieving the former by the hands of mr Lyman . his business probably carried him in another direction; for I am far inland, & distant from the great line of communication between the trading cities. your recommendations are always welcome, for indeed the...
54To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 19 January 1819 (Adams Papers)
About a week before I recieved your favor of Dec. 30. the 22d. No. of the North American review had come to hand, without my knowing from what quarter. the letter of mr Channing to mr Shaw, which you have been so good as to inclose, founds a presumption that it was from mr Channing, and that he is the editor. I had never before seen the work; but have read this No. with attention and great...
55To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 17 May 1818 (Adams Papers)
I was so unfortunate as not to recieve from mr Holly’s own hand your favor of Jan. 28. being then at my other home. he dined only with my family, & left them with an impression which has filled me with regret that I did not partake of the pleasure his visit gave them. I am glad he is gone to Kentucky. rational Christianity will thrive more rapidly there than here. they are freer from...
56From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 18 October 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved the favor of your invitation of the 12 th inst. to join you on the interesting occasion of the reception of Maj r Gen l La Fayette. in testifying the veneration of the citizens of Richm d for his character, their sense of his services, and their affection for his person. no one would harmonise in all these sentiments more cordially than myself, no one perhaps having had so...
57From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 11 July 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
My friend and correspondent of Richmond, Col o Bernard Peyton will have the honor of delivering you this letter. he was a worthy officer of the late war, and now an equally worthy member of the mercantile body. proposing to visit Boston, he has the natural ambition of being presented to the first of the revolutionary characters now living. I ask, of your friendship to give him a few moments of...
58Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 15 May 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Apr. 2. was recieved in due time, and I have used the permission it gave me of sending a copy of that of Mar. 2. to the editor of Tracy ’s Political economy. M r S. A. Wells of Boston , grandson of our old friend Sam l Adams , and who proposes to write the life of his grandfather, has made some enquiries of me
59To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 4 September 1823 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of Aug. 15. was recieved in due time, and with the welcome of every thing which comes from you. with it’s opinions on the difficulties of revolutions, from despotism to freedom, I very much concur. the generation which commences a revolution can rarely compleat it. habituated from their infancy to passive submission of body and mind to their kings and priests, they are not...
60To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 5 May 1817 (Adams Papers)
Absences and avocations had prevented my acknoleging your favor of Feb. 2. when that of Apr. 19. arrived. I had not the pleasure of recieving the former by the hands of mr Lyman. his business probably carried him in another direction; for I am far inland, & distant from the great line of communication between the trading cities. your recommendations are always welcome, for indeed the subjects...
61From Thomas Jefferson to John Quincy Adams, 8 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I know nothing of the facts in this petition, nor of the person on whose behalf they are stated, but I know most of those who subscribe it, and can certify that they are persons of the first degree of respectability in the county in which I reside and of unquestionable credit as to any thing which they affirm. Given under my hand this 8 th of February 1826. To the President of the United...
62Thomas Jefferson to John Quincy Adams, 10 May 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
An absence from home of some length has occasioned your letter of Apr. 24. to remain here unanswered until my return. the operation of sitting for portraits and busts, especially after it has been so often done, and probably as well as it will be done again, and that too before the havoc of age had left nothing but an anatomy to copy, needed the strong motive of my desire to meet any wish...
63Thomas Jefferson to John Quincy Adams, 5 September 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
As Rector of the University of Virginia , I have recieved at several times the underwritten volumes of which I make this acknolegement as a proper voucher for your office , and pray you to be assured of my constant sentiments of respect and esteem. State papers of 1818. 8. vols 8 vo Secret journals of Congress . 4. v. 8 vo Journals of the Federal Convention 1. v. 8 vo Census for 1820. 1. v....
64From Thomas Jefferson to John Quincy Adams, 23 October 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns his thanks to mr Adams for the copy of the Ghent Documents which he has been so kind as to send him. so far as concerns mr Adams personally, the respect and esteem of the public for him was too firmly and justly fixed, to need this appeal to them. but the volume is a valuable gift to his fellow citizens generally, and especially to the future historian whom it will enable...
65Thomas Jefferson to John Quincy Adams, 22 June 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respectful salutations to mr Adams , and his thanks for the copy of the journals of the Convention which he has been so kind as to send him. t hat also presented to the University of Virginia , has been properly addressed to Th:J. as Rector of that institution and shall be carefully preserved until the proper depository shall be provided. he prays mr Adams to be...
66Thomas Jefferson to John Quincy Adams, 1 November 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 4 th of Oct. was not recieved here until the 20 th having been 16. days on it’s passage, since which unavoidable avocations have made this the first moment it has been in my power to acknolege it’s reciept. of the character of M. de Pradt his political writings furnish a tolerable estimate, but not so full as you have favored me with. he is eloquent, and his pamphlet on colonies...
67From Thomas Jefferson to John Quincy Adams, 30 March 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I am thankful for the very interesting message and documents of which you have been so kind as to send me a copy, and will state my recollections as to the particular passage of the message to which you ask my attention. on the conclusion of peace, Congress, sensible of their right to assume independance, would not condescend to ask it’s acknolegement from other nations, yet were willing, by...
68Thomas Jefferson to John Quincy Adams, 26 December 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
On my return to this place after an absence of 6 weeks I find here your favor of Nov. 29 . when I proposed to the President the appointment of mr Sasserno to be Consul at Nice , I was not possessed of his Christian name. I therefore took measures immediately to obtain it, and found also, on my return here, the answers to my enquiries. his name is Victor Adolphus Sasserno . I was intimately...
69From Thomas Jefferson to John Quincy Adams, 3 November 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
A mr Runnels of S t Bartholemew’s, having a son George Runnels now in N. York, has requested me to be the channel of communicating to the government his wish that his son might be appointed Agent of the US. at Trinidad, S t Vincent’s, S t Lucia or S t Kitts. being a stranger to me he referred me to the Baron de Stackleberg for his character, who answers me in these words. ‘ j’ai l’avantage de...
70From Thomas Jefferson to John Quincy Adams, 18 July 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I have safely recieved the two copies of the facsimile of the Decln of Indepdce which you have been so kind as to send me under a resoln of Congress. with a due sense of respect for this mark of attention to myself I contemplate with pleasure the evidence afforded of reverence for that instrument, and view in it a pledge of adhesion to it’s principles, and of a sacred determination to maintain...
71Thomas Jefferson to John Quincy Adams, 12 May 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns his thanks to mr Adams for the copy he has been so kind as to send him of his very able and profound Report on Weights and measures. from the general view, the only one he has yet had time to take of it, it seems really to present every thing which is useful on the subject. he shall read it seriously, with the interest he takes in the subject and with an earnest desire to...
72From Thomas Jefferson to John Quincy Adams, 23 March 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
My grandson, Th: Jefferson Randolph, bearer of this letter being on a journey to the North, I could not permit him to pass thro’ Washington, without enjoining on him the duty of paying his respects to you. I presume he will find you approaching the close of your winter’s campaign, a term as welcome to the civil as military officer. I am glad to avail myself at the same time of the occasion of...
73Thomas Jefferson to John Adlum, 13 June 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 5 th has been duly received, covering my two letters to you of Oct. 7. 1809. and Apr. 10. 1820. 20. 1810. which I now return of these be pleased to make whatever use you think proper. but I should think the first half of the last letter had better be omitted, as it would encumber mr Skinner ’s columns with matter entirely useless & uninteresting to his readers. I am very glad...
74From Thomas Jefferson to John Adlum, 11 April 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved successively the two bottles of wine you were so kind as to send me. the first, called Tokay, is truly a fine wine, of high flavor, and, as you assure me there was not a drop of brandy or other spirit in it, I may say it is a wine of a good body of it’s own. the 2 d bottle, a red wine, I tried when I had good judges at the table. we agreed it was a wine one might always drink with...
75Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on a Proposed Albemarle County Road, [ca. 8 April 1817] (Jefferson Papers)
Present roads Proposed roads from the Mainstreet of Charlottesville Miles po miles to Moore’s creek 0.98 to Secretary’s ford 614. = 1.92. by Smith the Thoro’fare 1.25
76From Thomas Jefferson to Timothy Alden, 14 February 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very sensible of the kind attention of the trustees of Allegany college, in sending me a copy of the catalogue of their library, and congratulate them on the good fortune of having become the objects of donations so liberal. that of D r Bentley is truly valuable for it’s classical riches, but mr Winthrop’s is inappreciable for the variety of the branches of science to which it extends,...
77Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Allen, [5 January 1822] (Jefferson Papers)
Th:J. returns his thanks to mr Allen for the copy with which he has been favored of his agricul address to the Berkshire associan , expresses his great pleasure on it’s succesful progress, and with his best wishes for it’s continued improvem t
78Thomas Jefferson to Burgess Allison, 29 November [1818] (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you, Sir , for the pamphlet you have been so kind as to send me on Naval architecture. retired from the business of the world, enfeebled in body by age & relaxed in mind I cease to interest pay attention wherever I can be excused from it. the improvement appears probable and beautiful, and I wish well to every thing which may better the condition of man, and to nothing more than what...
79Memorandum from Thomas Jefferson to William Alston on Wine, 15 August 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
White Hermitage wine costs about 4. or 4 ½ francs the bottle. the best crop is that of M. Jourdans , who has always furnished me. it is a little silky . but he furnishes Maj r Butler with that which is quite dry , which is preferred by some, according to taste, and is a superlatively fine wine. The best claret (except the 4. crops
80Thomas Jefferson to William Alston, 6 October 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
While I had the pleasure of being with you at the Warm springs , I took the liberty of recommending to you some wines of France & Italy , with a note of their prices & of the channels thro’ which they may be got. but instead of calling for them on my recommendation only, I have thought it better that you should have samples to direct your choice. for in nothing have the habits of the palate...
81Thomas Jefferson to Vachel Worthington and George W. Anderson, 17 June 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very sensible of the testimony of respect rendered me by the Calliopean society , in naming me an honorary membe r of their institution. if distance has rendered my personal a ction with them impossible, I am endeavoring nevertheless to m erit the association with which they have honored me, by emp loying the slender faculties which time and nature have spared me in fostering an...
82From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Anderson, 4 December 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
In your favor of Sep. 27 you were so obliging as to inform me that on communicating to you the port at which the Professors engaged in England for the Univ ty of Virga would arrive, you would give instrns immediately to the Collector to consider the books of the Professors as embraced by the exemption from duty of the act of April 1816. I learnt yesterday for the first time that they would...
83From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Anderson, 7 December 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I learnt yesterday, by a letter from mr Gilmer at New York that Doctor Blaetterman one of our Professors had arrived there and informed him that the other four Professors had sailed in the Competitor from London direct for James river where they might be hourly expected. I must therefore trouble you a second time with a request that instructions may be sent to the Collectors of that river to...
84From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Anderson, 23 April 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Having sollicited mr James Barber to expedite as much as he could the reciept of the 50. M .D. of the claim of Virginia on the Gen l government, which was given to the University of Virginia, he informs me by a letter of the 19 th that the President of the US; without waiting for actual settlement, has sanctioned the payment, on account, of the sum given to the University, and that it is...
85Thomas Jefferson to Robert Anderson, 13 June 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of May 22. has been duly recieved. mine to miss Mary Stith has informed of the you of her title to an undivided sixth of 400. a s of land in this county thro’ which a the vein of limestone passes which traverses this state parallel with it’s first ridge of mountains, and which constitutes what value it has, the land being worthless and about a third or half of it claimed & by two...
86Thomas Jefferson to William H. Anderson, 25 June 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
A long absence from home has been the principal cause of my delay in answering your letter . I now inclose your prospectus with my name to it and 3. dollars, the price of the copy subscribed for; and with my wishes for the success of your work I tender you the assurance of my respect. PoC ( MHi ); on verso of a reused address cover from Thomas Mann Randolph to TJ; at foot of text: “M r W m H....
87Thomas Jefferson to Thomas F. Andrews, 10 July 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of June 23. has been duly recieved, and I am sorry it is not in my power to say a word on the appointmen t of Professors to our University . I explained in my letter to D r Fernandes the circumstances on which the opening of the instituti on would depend. these make it uncertain whether it may be soon or many years hence. during this uncertainty the Visitors form no decisions as to...
88From Thomas Jefferson to William Annesley, 20 November 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I duly rec d the copy of your late pamphlet on shipbuilding, and your favor of the 11 th is now at hand requesting ‘my jdmt on it as a means of bringing it into early & gen l practice in the US.’ born & bred among the mountains, and scarcely knowing the head from the stern of a ship it would be great presumption in me to offer to my f.c. a jdmt on a subject on which they know that I must be so...
89Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Antrim, 8 August 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I am making a change in my central room here which will require the plaistering of the cieling to be done anew entirely say about 30. or 40. square yards. it is extremely desirable to have this done immediately on our closing the roof, which will be about the latter end of this present week. can you do me the favo r so to arrange your business as to come & do it immediately on notice? when...
90From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Antrim, 25 September 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, Joseph Antrim has been employed, as plaisterer, to do the whole plaistering of all the buildings of the University of Virginia, which he has executed with fidelity and a skill of the first order. he is moreover of perfectly correct habits and conduct, sober, industrious, faithful, and worthy of any degree of trust which may be reposed in him. Given under my hand this 25 th...
91Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Appleton, 28 May 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of Apr. 4 . which went by duplicates. since that I have recieved yours of Apr. 29. Aug. 26. and Nov. 10. the accident which delayed the reciept of the bill of exchange for M. and M e Pini has been the subject of infinite regret and mortification to me; there being nothing on which my attention is more religiously fixed than on the punctual remittance of the annual interest...
92From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Appleton, 10 August 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I had been so long without hearing from you ( my last from you being dated Oct. 8. 24.) that I sat down to communicate my anxieties to you which I had accdly done in a long letter when the mail of that day brought me your’s of Apr. 13. and rendered mine of course useless. I learn with regret that you had suffered inconvenience from the want of remittances, your former letters had given me...
93Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Appleton, 4 April 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of Dec. 20. was recieved on the 13 th Ult. & covered the acceptable letter of Madame Pini , which gave me infinit e satisfaction, as it rendered legitimate a delay which is of much con v enience to me, and shall not injure her. be so good as to present to her & to M. Pini my acknolegements for this indulgence, & the assurance that their trust shall not be abused, that the interest shall...
94Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Appleton, 16 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by mr William C. Preston , son of Gen l Francis Preston of this state, who in the course of his travels in Europe , may probably find occasion to call on you. he is not personally known to me, but I am assured of his worth by and distinguished talents by those who know him and command my entire confidence. his standing in this state is high, and I believe I render you...
95Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Appleton, 1 August 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of July 18. 16. since which I have recieved yours of May 15. and 30. July 30. Sep. 27. & Oct. 20. of the same year, & Mar. 5. of the present, with the seed of the Lupinella. this came to hand too late to be sown this season, and is therefore reserved for the ensuing spring. mr Madison recieved what you sent him somewhat earlier, & sowed a little (not chusing to venture the...
96From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Appleton, 8 October 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of July 10. I informed you that the Capitels you had forwarded were then on their way to Richmond. they came to hand here in August and are now put up. they are well approved on the whole, and particularly as to the quality of the marble. but I am instructed to mention some particulars not fully executed. 1. in the Corinthian capitels there is a want of the Cavetto and listel of...
97From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Appleton, 17 May 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of Nov. 22. since which I have recieved yours of Dec. 24. and Feb. 8. in consequence of the information given in the last that the first quality of marble squares for paving the Portico of our Rotunda, polished and accurately squared ready to be laid down, of one foot square, will cost at Leghorn 221/12D. the hundred’ I am now to desire you to send us 1200 squares of one...
98From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Appleton, 8 October 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letter to you was of May 17, since which I have recieved your’s of Apr. 1. May 1. and June 10. I had desired my correspondent in Richmond, Col o Bernard Peyton to procure a bill of excha. on London which will nett there 500.D. clear of exchange payable to mr Sam l Williams on your account to whom I have written to remit the same to you. I just now recieve his information that is done,...
99Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Appleton, 16 April 1821 (second letter) (Jefferson Papers)
My other letter of this date acknoleges yours of Oct. 10. and that of Nov. 2. & 24. is this moment recieved. this letter being on subjects particular between ourselves, I write it separately from that respecting the University and it’s Visitors , which of course must be submitted to their inspection and be placed on their files. I am glad that a remittance thro’ London is more convenient to...
100From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Appleton, 22 November 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
The original letters of Oct. 8. and 9. of which those inclosed are Duplicates were committed to Michael Raggi, who about that time left this place for New York where he expected to embark for some port of Italy. we soon learnt that at N. York his funds fell short so that he could not get a passage; we therefore did not then make the remittance of 4000 D. as mentioned in my letter of the 8 th...