To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 17 May 1820
From Thomas Jefferson
Monticello May 17. 20.
Dear Sir
As the measures which were adopted at the last meeting of our visitors were of a very leading character1 I have thought it proper to inform our absent colleagues of them; and have delayed the communication only until I could add what has been done under the resolutions of the board. As this latter information has not been received by you, I inclose you my letter to General Taylor2 for perusal and pray you, when read, to stick a wafer in it and put it into the post office. You will excuse this economy of labor, as from the stiffening of my wrist, writing is become slow & painful. I have moreover such another letter to write to mr. Johnson,3 and a good part of it to Genl. Breckenridge.
My general health is mended, altho’ I do not gain strength. I am obliged to continue bandages, altho’ under their pressure the swelling is kept down, yet it returns on omitting them. I salute you with constant & unchangeable friendship.
Th: Jefferson
RC (DLC); FC (DLC: Jefferson Papers).
1. For the authorization to build “three other pavilions & their accessory dormitories,” see Minutes of the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia, 3 Apr. 1820.
2. Robert Barraud Taylor (1774–1834) was a Norfolk lawyer, a veteran of the War of 1812, and a member of the original board of visitors of the University of Virginia, serving from 1819 to 1822 (Tyler, Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, 2:188–89). For Jefferson’s letter to Taylor of 16 May 1820, see , 15:252–56.
3. Chapman Johnson (1779–1849) was a Staunton, Virginia, lawyer and state legislator who was a member of the original board of visitors of the University of Virginia, serving from 1819 to 1845. He was rector of the university, 1836–45 (Tyler, Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, 2:197; Manual of the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia, 1998 [Charlottesville, Va., 1998], v).