1Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 5 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter from Judge Peters, president of the board of agriculture at Philadelphia , solliciting either a drawing or a model of your hill-side plough. I prefer sending it to you while at Varina , because as you have Isaac there you may find it as easy to have the plough made there as a model, and from Varina you can give it a ready passage to Philadelphia . this however as is...
2Thomas Jefferson to Richard C. Derby, 6 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Feb. 27 . from Washington is just now recieved. mrs Randolph and family, as well as myself, would have been much gratified by the visit which mrs Derby and yourself had proposed to make us at Monticello , had the state of the roads, the weather, & other circumstances permitted it. but ‘ tout ce qui est differé n’est pas perdu ,’ as the French say, and as I am by your letter...
3Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 6 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I have detained Martin a little longer than you intended because my waggons were to set off this day for Bedford and I concluded to send him with the work he had done by one of them. it was but one day’s journey of their way, and saves your waggon a trip of 5. days to come for them. by Martin ’s count there are 129. knobs. their tops will require to be kept well painted, as they present the...
4Thomas Jefferson to Fernagus De Gelone, 6 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your’s of Feb. 25. and now ask the favor of you to send me the Archimede de Peyrard 2. v. 8 vo 4. D 50 C and Hippocrate de Gardeil . 4. v. 8 vo 8.D. for which I inclose you 12. D 50 C in bills of the Richmond banks which I presume can be exchanged at par with you, as they are 1. or 2. p.c. above par at Philadelphia
5Thomas Jefferson’s Instructions for Setting a Sundial, [ca. 6 March 1817] (Jefferson Papers)
To set the Dial. The first and all-important object is to have the top of the dial post perfectly horizontal. without this it never can be true one moment. to this end, after the post is immoveably fixed in the ground, the top should be tried with a level and planed to the true horizontal level in every direction. it will take a butt of a tree 28. or 29.I. diameter. when planed, place the dial...
6Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 6 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
During the unexampled spell of hard weather which we had in Jan. & Feb. and March , I thought it better not to send the waggoners on the road, and especially as Milly and her two young children were to come back with them. but it has been with inexpressible regret that I have been obliged to retain them latterly while these fine ploughing days were passing. but the necessity of bringing corn...
7Thomas Jefferson to Fernagus De Gelone, 7 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
After dispatching my letter of yesterday in answer to your’s of Feb. 25. I looked over the catalogue you had inclosed me and found 2. or 3. other books which I will pray you to send me with those ordered in my letter, to wit. La Conquista de Mexico, De Solis 3. v. 8 vo I take for granted it is in Spanish. Borda . usage du Cercle 4 to Tragedies d’ Euripides . 4. v. 12 mo if in prose ; but not if in
8Thomas Jefferson to Simon Bernard, 8 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with your letter of Feb. 21. covering one from my friend the General la Fayette . I sincerely congratulate you on your arrival in this land of peace and safety, and still more I congratulate my country on the acquisition of your talents, which, directing our preparations for war, are most likely to continue it a land of peace and safety. I wish that in any circumstances of your...
9Thomas Jefferson to George M. Dallas, 8 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Condoling sincerely, as I have done, with the family of the late mr Dallas , as well as with the public, for the great loss sustained in him, it is a satisfaction to learn that we are likely to have the benefit of whatever he has left in writing. what this may be I am not informed, except so far as already published: but besides the benefit of the a republication, I am sure he has written...
10To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 10 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
Besey calling on me for some seed allows me just time to write a line, to await your arrival at home, requesting your attendance as a visitor of our proposed college on Tuesday the 8th. of April, being the day after our election. You will of course, I am in hopes come here the day or evening before, that we may have some previous consultation on the subject. I shall also request Genl. Cocke &...
11Thomas Jefferson to John H. Cocke and David Watson, 10 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
It has been in contemplation for some time to establish a College some where near Charlottesville , of which I presume you have been apprised by the reciept of a Commission from the Governor appointing you one of the 6. Visitors. a first meeting of the Visitors is extremely urgent, to recieve from our predecessors what belongs to the institution, and to set it in motion. no person being...
12Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 10 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Besey calling on me for some seed allows me just time to write a line, to await your arrival at home, requesting your attendance as a visitor of our proposed college on Tuesday the 8 th of April, being the day after our election. you will of course, I am in hopes come here the day or evening before, that we may have some previous consultation on the subject. I shall also request Gen l Cocke &...
13Thomas Jefferson to John Barnes, 11 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Feb. 28. was recieved on the 5 th instant and I now inclose you a power of Attorney copied from th e form you sent me . it has been detained by the difficulty of access to a justice of peace in a county of 60. miles length over which they are sparsely scattered, and difficult to be found at home. I hope the form is such as not to require periodical renewals, which if the certificate...
14Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Miller, 11 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
The season calling for corks has come upon me before I had thought of it, and it being difficult to get them good but from a person who understands them, I must pray you to send me as many gross of the best as the inclosed bill of 5.D. will pay for. I understand that a steam packet now plies between Norfolk and Richmond so that I am in hopes they can come certainly and speedily addressed to mr...
15Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton, 11 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I must ask the favor of you to purchase for me 6 gross of the best corks to be had in Richmond , and to send them by the stage to Milton to the address of mr Vest postmaster, the season for using them being now actually upon us. mr Gibson as usual will be so good as to pay the bill. affectionately and respectfully yours PoC ( MHi ); on verso of reused address cover to TJ; at foot of text: “Cap...
16Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Eston Randolph, 15 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 10 th was handed to me yesterday afternoon only when the Shadwell mills were built, the rent was settled on great enquiry made in this state as well as in those North of us, at one out of every 24. Barrels of flour expected to be manufactured, and to be taken at the place of sale. we supposed the Shadwell mills would manufacture 5000. Barrels of which, according to this...
17Thomas 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...
18Thomas Jefferson to Stephen Cathalan, 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 have it in his power to call on you. he is not personally known to me; but I am assured of his distinguished talents and personal worth by those who know him and command my entire confidence. his standing in this state is high, and I believe I...
19Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 16 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed to you by mr William C. Preston a young gentleman of this state, either son, or nephew (I know not which) to the gentleman of that name with whom you served in Congress about 1792. I do not know him personelly, but learn from those who do, and in whom I have confidence, that he is of excellent talents, and perfect integrity. his standing in this state is high, and he will...
20Thomas Jefferson to David Higginbotham, 16 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved duly your favor of Feb. 22. on the subject of paints. I shall certainly want a very great quantity in the course of the present year, as I have to renew the whole outer painting of this house and the terrasses, and to paint that in Bedford which has never been done. but I did not make more of any thing scarcely last year than would pay for the corn we did not make. I must therefore...
21Thomas Jefferson to Lucy Marks, 16 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
In a letter which came to me by mail yesterday and to which the writer had forgotten to subscribe his name, I received those I now send you, the one sealed, the other open as it now is. observing the name of General Clarke on one of them and my letter being dated at Louisville induces me to suppose it is from him. I tender you the assurance of my great esteem and respect. PoC ( MHi ); on verso...
22Thomas Jefferson to Charles Willson Peale, 16 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Feb. 28. came to hand yesterday evening only. mr M c Ilhenny is right in saying he left a letter for me; but I did not get it till a month after he went away. however all is well. we have had the good fortune to get a Swiss from Neufchatel , inferior, I think, to no watchmaker I have ever known. sober, industrious, and moderate. he brought me recommendations from Doct r Patterson...
23Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton, 16 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
During an absence of 27. years from Europe , the ordinary course of mortality, aided by a bloody revolution & active guillotine has swept off nearly every personel acquaintance on that side of the Atlantic . with some literary characters I have since had correspondence, but I not knowing them personally or their habits of society, I do not take the liberty of giving letters of introduction to...
24Thomas Jefferson to Archibald Thweatt, 16 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
your favor of the 2 d was recieved yesterday. I am much indebted to you for your attention to our turn-pike road, which was an electioneering maneuver of the scoundrel Yancey . the day the bill was postponed in spite of him he had the base hypocrisy to write to me and insinuate he had had it postponed. he attended our last court with a view of feeling the pulse of the people, but so many of...
25Thomas Jefferson to Francis Adrian Van der Kemp, 16 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I learn with real concern that the editor of the Theological Repository possesses the name of the author of the Syllabus. altho he coyly witholds it for the present, he will need but a little coaxing to give it out and to let loose upon him the genus irritabile vatum , there and here. be it so. I shall recieve with folded arms all their hacking & hewing. I shall not ask their passport to a...
26Thomas Jefferson to Fitzwhylsonn & Potter, 19 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Vest , postmaster of Milton , who committed the volumes of Edinburg review to the stage, which I sent you, thinks he shall be able to recover them. the difficulty has arisen by a change of the driver. he says they were left by the former driver at the old stage office. perhaps you can find them there. I have generally had a good deal of bookbinding to do, and am likely still to need it...
27Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Milligan, 19 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
The last proof sheet I recieved from you was to pa. 48. Mar. 1. and dispatched it Mar. 2. I am anxious to get as forward as possible, as 4. weeks hence I go to Bedford , & shall be absent 4. weeks. I send thro’ the care of mr Gray a small box, containing Homer 9. vols, Juvenal 4. vols, & Horace 2. vols, to be bound as they are tied up. I wish them to be done in your handsomest & solidest...
28Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 19 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
A considerable time ago I recieved from the Historical committee of the Philosophical society of Philada a letter informing me they were in possession of a MS. volume, which from their description I concluded must be a copy of Col o Byrd ’s journal of the Carolina boundary. it was on that occasion I asked the favor of you to procure me the reading that work. as they meant to print it, they
29Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 19 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
The waggons arrived yesterday forenoon with every thing safe except that Jerry left one of his mules dying on the road. this I dare say was the effect of poverty, which is the stamp of all our animals here. they have no forage short or long but what he I buy, and people are now talking of 8. and 10.D. a barrel for corn. I hope, if there is to be such another year, I shall not live to see it. I...
30Thomas Jefferson to David Michie, 22 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 20 th was recieved on the day of it’s date. I do not know why that part of it is addressed to me which complains of insinuations against your integrity as a man, and honor as a gentleman. I am not aware of having uttered such myself, and cannot be answerable for what may have been uttered by others. As little do I percieve why ‘a note which you say is of a nature a little...