1From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 25 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry to hear, by letter from Mr. Elder, that your health is infirm, and that it is likely to become necessary on that account for yourself, your brother and cousin to remove to the continent of Europe. Edinburgh had the two advantages of possessing science in as high a degree as any place in the world, and of conveying it in your native tongue. Places may be found on the continent which...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 27 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your favour of the 16th. instant, and desirous, without delay, of manifesting my wishes to be useful to you, I shall venture to you some thoughts on the course of your studies which must be submitted to the better advice with which you are surrounded. A longer race through life may have enabled me to seise some truths which have not yet been presented to your observation. A...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 6 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of April 14. came here during my absence on a journey through the Southern parts of France and Northern of Italy, from which I am but lately returned: this cause alone has prevented your receiving a more early answer to it. I am glad to find that among the various branches of science presenting themselves to your mind you have fixed on that of Politics as your principal pursuit....
4From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 28 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of April 14. 1787. gave me reason to hope we should have seen you here this winter. That being nearly passed over I am apprehensive you may have changed your plan. Or perhaps you have chosen first to finish those courses of lectures which are to make a part of your education. This is certainly wise, but I hope you will not be diverted altogether from your purpose of coming here. I...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 8 March 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I left in the room where I lodged a volume of Lopez de Gomara which I must beg the favor of you to take care of for me till I have the pleasure of seeing you. We arrived here late having a crowded stage and moving very slowly. We set out at day light tomorrow morning, and the weather being intensely cold we have not a comfortable prospect before us. Be so good as to present my respects to...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 28 March 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here on the 21st. inst. after as laborious a journey of a fortnight from Richmond as I ever went through; resting only one day at Alexandria and another at Baltimore. I found my carriage and horses at Alexandria, but a snow of 18. inches deep falling the same night, I saw the impossibility of getting on in my own carriage, so left it there to be sent to me by water, and had my horses...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 18 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 28th of March: to Patsy on the 4th. of April, and to Polly on the 11th. I now inclose a letter for Patsy, which being delivered me by Sr. John Temple, I presume comes from one of her friends the lady Tuftons. The best channel for sending an answer will be to send it thro me, Sr. J. Temple and the D. of Leeds’s office. Letters and papers to the 5th. of Feb. from France shew...
8From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 9 May 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of April 23. with those of the 25th. from the girls. The object of the present is merely to acknowledge their receipt and to inclose you the newspapers; an attack of the periodical head-ach, which came on me about a week ago rendering me unable as yet either to write or read without great pain. It has been abating for some days, and has been so slight to-day...
9From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 23 May 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
A lingering head-ach still prevents me from answering fully your favors of April 23. and May 3. Having taken the bark till it ceased to produce any effect, I discontinued for some days. I shall resume it to day, and hope it will remove the small and feeble returns which still keep me from business. In my letter of the last week to Patsy, I mentioned the state of the President. He is now...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 30 May 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I at length find myself, tho not quite well, yet sufficiently so to resume business in a moderate degree. I have therefore to answer your two favors of Apr. 23. and May 3. and in the first place to thank you for your attention to the Paccan, Gloucester, and European walnuts which will be great acquisitions at Monticello. I will still ask your attention to Mr. Foster’s boring machine, lest he...
11From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 20 June 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of May 25. came to hand on the 5th. inst. I am infinitely pleased at your predilection for settling in Albemarle. Certainly no circumstance in life is so near my heart as to have you near me. This will fix beyond a doubt my intended visit to Virginia, in the fall, in order to see what arrangements may be taken for settling you in Albemarle. In the mean while perhaps it might be as...
12From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 11 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Your last favor was of May 25. Mine was of June 20. having written regularly every third week to you, and the intermediate ones to Patsy or Polly. The bill for the removal of the federal government to Philadelphia for 10. years and then to Georgetown has at length past both houses, so that our removal is now certain: and I think it tolerably certain that the President will leave this place on...
13From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 25 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
This being my week of writing to Maria, I should not have troubled you but to inclose the copy of a letter I write this day to Colo. Randolph. You see that I have taken great liberties in hazarding ideas on which you ought to have been previously consulted: however I do it in such a way as to leave them open for your correction, and when we meet at Monticello, the arrangements may be finally...
14From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 3 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of the last week I believe I did not acknoledge the reciept of yours of July 3. With respect to Mr. Thompson he had been named to the Consulship of the Canaries: but as these offices have no direct emoluments, depending for indemnification on the consignments and other business they may produce, he has declined accepting any. Your application needed no apology. I know the...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 14 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I am setting out on a trip to Rhode-island with the President tomorrow, by water. We shall be absent about 5. or 6. days, and of course his departure hence to the Southward will be that much later than he intended, and my departure, which must be after his, a little delayed. Still I hope to reach Monticello by the 15th. of September, or from that to the 20th. We have just concluded a treaty...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 29 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The President sets out tomorrow. I shall follow two or three days after, so that allowing for stoppages on the road I shall be at Monticello about the 18th. of Sep. unless I should go by the way of Mt. Vernon which will add a delay of two or three days. I hope I shall have the happiness of meeting yourself and my daughters there. Tho’ I count on remaining there a month, yet it will be subject...
17From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 22 October 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
When you shall have perused the inclosed, be so good as to stick a wafer in it and deliver it. It will explain it’s own object, on which therefore I need add nothing. You are certainly right in deciding to relinquish the purchase if Colo. Randolph desires it. But I rather suppose he means nothing more than that he will not abide by the agreement if all the articles are insisted on. He mentions...
18From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 12 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you some wheat which the President assures me from many years experience to be the very best kind he has ever seen. He spread it through the E[aster]n shore of Maryland several years ago, and it has ever be[en c]onsidered as the very best of the white wheat of that state so much celebrated. It is said to weigh 62. 63. 64. lb to the bushel. The grain, tho’ small, is always plump. The...
19From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 23 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you from George town inclosing some seed of the best white wheat. Our journey here was without accident, except that of retardation by the rains. Our delay happened however at the Susquehanna, where the abundance of Sheldrakes was some solace. My newly purchased horse ( Brimmer ) performed well; I drove him a good deal in the carriage. I do not think he lost a pound of flesh on the...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 16 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of Nov. 11. I have yesterday received a letter from Mr. Mazzei authorizing the immediate sale of Colle, and shall therefore write to Mr. Lewis on the subject. I sincerely wish you may be able to get some of Mr. Carter’s land adjoining. But I should think it worth your while to go further than 300 acres, and that by a negociation with Dobson you...
21From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 11 January 179[1] (Jefferson Papers)
I have this day recieved your favor of Dec. It is the first and only news I have had from home since I left it. I have written some scolding letters on this account. I am very sorry for the discontinuance of the Charlottesville post, and will contribute any thing reasonable for it’s reestablishment provided it goes from Charlottesville to Richmond directly, and returns there in like manner. In...
22From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 24 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of the 2d. on the 21st. inst. and am happy to be assured that my correspondence with Monticello will be regular hereafter. I wish the post when reestablished, had been put into the hands of some body in or near Charlottesville. Whenever that question shall come on again, I would give liberally to a Charlottesville competitor to enable him to underbid any one so distant as...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 17 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favours of Feb. 8. and 21. have both come to hand. The former not till 4. or 5. days ago. I am made happy by learning that my daughter is so well as also the little stranger . According to your desire expressed in the letter first mentioned, tho’ last recieved, I take the liberty of proposing for her the name of Anne , a name which must be very dear to you, and belongs also to Patsy’s...
24From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 6 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Mar. 5. came to hand on the 24th. and that of Mar.14. on the 1st. inst. With respect to Mr. Thompson it has been understood that his circumstances are desperate and that he is fond of the bottle. At the time the first appointments of consuls were made, their circumstances were not attended to, and an appointment or two took place of persons under embarrasments of that kind. We...
25From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 1 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknowlege the reciept of your favour of Apr. 7. which came to hand on the 20th. I hope my letters on the subject of my tobacco have got to hand in time to prevent any contract there interfering with the sale I made here. I learn that 4. hhds. more are coming on. Being entitled to the highest price given before payment, I believe I shall be sure of 5⅓ dollars which will neat me 29/3...
26From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 15 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of April 30. came to hand on the 7th. inst. and I thank you for your information relative to the Opossum, which I hope the next season will enable you to complete. You may count it as fortunate that so interesting an investigation remains still to be made, and that, being made with care and science, it cannot fail to attract general notice.—In my letter of last week I mentioned my...
27VI. Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 5 June 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Madison and myself are so far on the tour we had projected. We have visited in the course of it the principal scenes of Burgoyne’s misfortunes, to wit the grounds at Still water where the action of that name was fought and particularly the breastworks which cost so much blood to both parties, the encampments at Saratoga and ground where the British piled their arms, and the field of the...
28V. Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 3 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to Maria this day sennight, and to Martha three days before, to wit June 23. In this letter I asked information to be obtained from Colo. Lewis relative to my tobo. of which I had heard nothing. But having received the day after a letter from him, giving me full information, I mentioned in mine to Maria, that no notice should be taken of my desire expressed in the letter to her sister....
29From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 17 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 7th. came to hand yesterday and brought me the news, always welcome, of your being all well. I have taken effectual means of repairing the loss of the sugar maple seed, by bespeaking a new supply of seed, and purchasing a considerable number of young trees from Prince in Long-island who will forward them to Richmond in the fall. The species of rice which has succeeded, is...
30From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 24 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I had always intended to endeavor to engage with some miller of capital here to erect my mill on such plan as he should chuse and then rent it to him for a term of years. Your letter informing me that Mr. Divers and others were proposing to take Mr. Henderson’s mill, but that they had not been able to agree, induces me to suppose it possible they might be willing to take mine. I should propose...
31From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 7 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of July 24. I acknowleged the reciept of yours of the 7th. which is the last letter I have had from Monticello. I presume you will have seen in the Virginia papers an advertisement of Aug. Davies’s on the subject of a post through Columbia and Charlottesville to Staunton. He writes me word he has no doubt of getting an undertaker to perform the ride once a week, so that I hope we...
32From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 28 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just now recieved your two favors of the 22d. with the information, always welcome to me, of the health of our family. Mr. Derieux’s letters will go by a vessel which sails on Saturday next, consequently before his power of Attorney arrives, nor can I leave any directions to forward it, as the letter inclosing it cannot be described to the chief clerk of the office so as to authorize...
33From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 25 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The first part of our journey was pleasant, except some hair-breadth escapes which our new horse occasioned us in going down hills the first day or two, after which he behaved better, and came through the journey preserving the fierceness of his spirit to the last. I believe he will make me a valuable horse. Mrs. Washington took possession of Maria at Vernon and only restored her to me here....
34From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 20 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I now inclose you, and shall continue to do so, Fenno’s and Freneau’s papers. The latter in two papers a week will contain at least as much good matter as Bache’s six papers a week, and will be a relief to the post. Those I send you will enable our neighbors to judge whether Freneau is likely to answer their expectation. I have not given in Colo. Bell’s list of subscribers , because I do not...
35From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 27 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
By a letter recieved from Prince, I find that he has forwarded to the care of Mr. Brown in Richmond 4. bundles of trees for me, numbered as on the next leaf. I have written to Mr. Brown to forward them, and with this may get in time for you to understand the numbers before you plant them.—I have heard nothing of our post yet, tho’ I presume it began on the 15th. inst. as Mr. Davies notified...
36From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 11 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
We are still without any letters from Monticello since our departure. I received one yesterday from Mr. De Rieux of Nov. 15. in which however he does not mention the family at Monticello. I suppose that some irregularity of the post occasions this. I have never failed to write once a week, and Maria has written several times . Stratton did not sail till yesterday, so that by the time you get...
37From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 18 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I am obliged to trouble you in the following affair. Doctor Walker, in his account against my father’s estate, omitted to credit a sum of £200. paid him Aug. 31. 1766. by Kippen & co. on account of the estate, and debited in their account against the estate. It appeared that he had credited the estate another sum of £200. from Kippen & co. as received 1761. March. and it was suggested that...
38From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 1 January 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Nov. 28. came to hand on the 22d. inst. The length of time it was on the way shews that our post was not yet become exact. The post office bill now before the legislature will place us on the regular establishment, as it directs a cross post from Richmond to Columbia, Charlottesville, Staunton, and thence along that valley Southwestwardly to the South-Western government and so on...
39From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 8 January 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 1st. inst. since which your favor of the 29th. Dec. is come to hand. I had before received a letter from Mr. Forster on the subject of leasing Elkhill for a term of years. But as, in order to pay off Mr. Wayles’s debt to Farrell & Jones, I must part with some property, and I can spare this more conveniently than any other, it would not be prudent for me to put it out of my...
40From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 22 January 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to my daughter this day sennight. I think it certain the Post office bill will now pass, and that there will be a branch of the general post from Richmond by Columbia, Charlottesville and Staunton. The postage of newspapers stands at present at a cent and a half for any distance above 100. miles. There will still be an attempt to reduce it to one half. But even as it now stands it is...
41From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 13 February 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 1st. inst. came to hand on the 11th. which is quicker than has been usual. I see by an advertisement in the Virginia papers that the post to Charlottesville and Staunton is now established, so that on your return to Monticello I am in hopes you will find a more certain and quick conveyance than we have hitherto had for our letters. I will thank you for information of the days...
42From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 20 February 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I received last week your favour from Bizarre. The papers now forwarded will give you the general news. We have an odd story here from Baltimore of Genl. Scott’s having fallen on the Indians and killed 700. of them, tho it was not known that any expedition was meditated. You will perceive that the public effects have fallen. The people begin to see the fallacy and mischeif of the gambling...
43From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 4 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received with great pleasure your favor of Feb. 17. informing us you were all safely moored at Monticello. With still greater I learn that you are at length sure of Edgehill. It is a fine tract of land, and will make you happier by furnishing a pleasing occupation. It secures too, what is essential to my happiness, our living near together. It seems as if you had more snow Southwardly...
44From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 16 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 22d. of Feb. and thank you for the information it conveyed respecting my sale. The winter having been so long and severe has I imagine committed sad havoc on our stocks, and the more so as it succeeded an unfavorable summer. Here the unmonied farmer , as he is termed, his cattle and crops are no more thought of than if they did not feed us. Scrip and...
45From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 30 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 5th. came to hand on the 16th. inst. The Southern post which should have arrived on Tuesday, is not arrived yet (Friday) so that letters by that cannot be yet acknoleged. I inclose you some seeds of the Acacia Farnesiana, the most delicious flowering shrub in the world. It will require to be in boxes, and to be kept in the house in the winter. I formerly made use of the South...
46From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 12 April 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Mar. 18. came duly to hand, and your request with respect to Dr. Barton was immediately complied with as you will see by the inclosed receipt.—A term of payment to Hanson now approaching, I have written to Colo N. Lewis to ask the favor of him to send the bonds taken at my sale to Mr. Eppes, who will deliver them to Hanson and take a proper receipt. Should you be going to...
47From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 19 April 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of Mar. 27. and Martha’s of Mar. 28. came to hand on the 14th. with one of Apr. 2. to Maria. I am sorry to hear my sugar maples have failed. I shall be able however to get here any number I may desire, as two nurserymen have promised to make provision for me. It is too hopeful an object to be abandoned. Your account of Clarkson’s conduct gives me great pleasure. My first wish is that...
48From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 17 May 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letter to you, if I may believe my letter book, was Apr. 19. Yet I think I must have written to you the 26th. also, as I do not recollect the having missed writing to you or my daughter but one week, which was about the 3d. or 4th. instant. Yours of Apr. 9. 16. and May 7. [i.e. May 4] have been duly recd. Mr. Brown’s note on Clow, inclosed in the last is accepted for payment. I...
49From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 1 June 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Having failed to write last week on the regular day, my letter carried you three of Freneau’s papers. Consequently the present covers but one. Fenno’s are sent through Mr. Madison to you.— Maria’s mistress is just now on her departure for England. She came home yesterday. Whether she will enter with Mrs. Brodeau immediately or not, I have not determined. My tobacco is all arrived here, but in...
50From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 15 June 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 4th. inst. and am happy to hear our prospects of wheat are so good. I the more wonder at it when I recollect we were very late in our sowing last fall. As to Indian corn I think there is yet time for it to come to. I concur with you in opinion that it is a very hurtful culture to such lands as ours. I have been hesitating between it’s total abolition, and...