1Memorandum Books, 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 3. Mary R. pocket money 2.D. hhd. xp. .13. Desired B. Peyton to remit 20.D. to Harrison Hall for the Portfolio to the end of the current year, and wrote to Hall to discontinue my sbscrption. after that. 4. Hhd. xp. .50 ink .25. 8. Sewers 1. oysters .75. 10. Hhd. xp. .60. 14.
2Thomas Jefferson: Design for Tombstone and Inscription, before 4 July 1826, 4 July 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
[GRAPHIC IN MANUSCRIPT] could the dead feel any interest in Monuments or other remembrances of them, when, as Anacreon says Ολιγη δε κειςομεςθα Κονις, οστεων λυθεντων The following would be to my Manes the most gratifying. On the grave a plain die or cube of 3. f without any mouldings, surmounted by an Obelisk of 6. f. height, each of a single stone: on the faces of the Obelisk the following...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 2 July 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
A death-bed Adieu. Life’s visions are vanished, it’s dreams are no more. Dear friends of my bosom, why bathed in tears? I go to my fathers; I welcome the shore, which crowns all my hopes, or which buries my cares. Then farewell my dear, my lov’d daughter, Adieu! The last pang of life is in parting from you! Two Seraphs await me, long shrouded in death: I will bear them your love on my last...
4From Thomas Jefferson to George Stevenson, 25 June 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had no information from Dodge & Oxnard but of the time of shipping the wine, the vessel and port. the papers the collector was so kind as to send, never came to my hand, but as he ascertained the duty &c. I have this day desired Col o Peyton to remit him 18 D. and I will give you the further trouble of requesting him to ship the wines to Peyton’s address who will pay all charges. I...
5From Thomas Jefferson to George Cooke, 24 June 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I would willingly be useful to you in your proposed visit to Europe for improvement in your professional line were it in my power. but I know not that it is. I have overlived every personal acquaintance which I had on that side of the Atlantic. I think there is not a single one living. with yourself I have had no other than the visit of an hour you were so kind as to make me the last year. but...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Roger Chew Weightman, 24 June 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
The kind invitation I recieve from you on the part of the citizens of the city of Washington, to be present with them at their celebration of the 50 th anniversary of American independance; as one of the surviving signers of an instrument, pregnant with our own, and the fate of the world, is most flattering to myself, and heightened by the honorable accompaniment proposal for the comfort of...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Arthur S. Brockenbrough, 22 June 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Willard undertakes our clock, and, without regard to price, says that it shall be as good a one as the hands of man can make. he will come and set it up, observing that the accuracy of the movement of a clock depends as much on it’s accurate and solid setting it up as on it’s works. he chuses to purchase the bell himself, & says that one of 400.℔. is sufficient for all our purposes. the...
8From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Coolidge, 22 June 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Feb. 27. came to hand in due time; that of the 15 th inst. was recieved yesterday. I have this day directed our Proctor to have 250.D. immediately remitted to yourself for mr Willard, to hold 250.D. more ready to be called for at his convenience, & to count on paying the whole balance at the final conclusion. whenever therefore mr Willard’s convenience may make it acceptable to...
9From Thomas Jefferson to William Matthews, 15 June 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
No definitive order has been given as to the substitutes for arms for the students attending the military school. because of the doubtfulness of our funds. considering however that the number of 55. or 60 only as at present sufficient, I will consult with mr Brockenbro’ whether we may not venture order that number to be made. Accept my salutns DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
10From 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...
11From Thomas Jefferson to Jacob Morton, 8 June 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of May 31 came safely to hand, covering one from Mess rs Taylor & others a commee of the corporn of the city of N. York, and I ask leave through the same channel to return the inclosed answer. with the assurance of my esteem & respect. MHi .
12From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 8 June 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I have for some time entertained the hope that your affairs being once wound up, your mind would cease to look back on them, and resume the calm so necessary to your own happiness and that of your family & friends, and especially that you would return again to their society. I hope there remains no reason now to delay this longer, and that you will rejoin our table and fireside as heretofore....
13From Thomas Jefferson to R. Riker, 8 June 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieve, Gentlemen, with great thankfulness the Medals you have been pleased to send me, commemorative of the completion of the Erie canal. this great work will immortalize the present authorities of New York, will bless their descendants with wealth and prosperity, and prove to mankind the superior wisdom of employing the resources of industry in works of improvement rather than of...
14From Thomas Jefferson to Jacob Taylor, 8 June 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
To the Committee of arrangement of the Corporn of the city of N.Y. I have to acknolege Gentleman the honor of your letter of the 31 st ult, inviting me, in the name of the Corporn of the city of N. York to a participation with them in the festivities with which they propose to celebrate the approaching Anniversary of our indepdce. the few surviving signers of memorable instrument which...
15From Thomas Jefferson to John Henri Isaac Browere, 6 June 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
The subject of your letter of May 20. has attracted more notice certainly than it merited. that the opern to which it refers, was painful to a certain degree I admit, but it was shor-tlived, and there would have ended as to myself. my age and the state of my health at that time gave an alarm to my family which I neither felt nor expressed. what may have been said in newspapers I know not,...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 5 June 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
A word to you, my dearest Ellen, under the cover of mr Coolidge’s letter. I address you the less frequently, because I find it easier to write 10 letters of business, than one on the intangible affections of the mind. were these to be indulged as calls for writing letters to express them, my love to you would engross the unremitting exercises of my pen. I hear of you regularly however, thro’...
17From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Coolidge, 4 June 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
You have heretofore known that the ability of the University to meet the necessary expences of a bell and clock, depended on the remission by Congress, of the duties on marble bases and capitels used in our buildings, a sum of nearly 3000,D. the remission is granted, and I am now authorised to close with mr Willard for the undertaking of the clock, as proposed in your letter of Aug. 25. I must...
18University of Virginia: directions for making a clock and bell, 4 June 1826, 4 June 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Instructions for the government of the Artist in making the Clock for the University of Virginia. The bell is to weigh 400.℔, which it is supposed will ensure it’s being heard 1½ mile under any circumstance of weather. The distance of the hollow cylinder in which the weights are to descend, and it’s oblique direction from the dial plate has rendered necessary an outline of the ground plate and...
19From Thomas Jefferson to William Hilliard, 31 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 6 th inst. since which yours of the 8 th is come to hand. the 3. cases of books from England, 1. from France, and 3. from Germany therein mentioned to have been shipped to the care of Col o Peyton are not yet heard of by us. it is possible that by the time of their arrival at the University , the room in which they are to be arranged, and the necessary presses may be...
20From Thomas Jefferson to John Patten Emmet, 30 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
On mention being made to me. of the contribution of 5. D required from the Students of Chemistry it occurred at once that this must be for an article for which the Visitors had made other provision, of which you had had no information, it happened that no circumstance had occur d to produce the mention of it to you. I now send you extracts from the journals by which you will learn that they...
21From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Lee, 30 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 25 th came to hand yesterday, and I shall be happy to recieve you at the time you mention, or at any other, if any other shall be more convenient to you. Not being now possessed of a copy of Gen l Lee’s memoirs, as I before observed to you, I may have misremembered the passage respecting Simpcoe’s expedition, and very willingly stand corrected. the only facts relative to it...
22From Thomas Jefferson to John Hartwell Cocke, 28 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Can you come and breakfast with us tomorrow morning? I have the papers ready for your inspection, but they require explanation. you can then consider them at your leisure and get them corrected on consultation with mr Garrett. I could ride to Charlottesville, but it is always followed with inconvenience and injury, or I should not ask the indulgence. respectful and friendly salutations. ViU .
23University of Virginia: Statement of income and expenditures, 28 May 1826, 28 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Estimate for 1826. made May 28. 26. Demands which must be met promptly Resources. D Annuity for 1826 15,000 Salaries of 7. Professors @ 1,500 10,500 Rent of 6. Hotels 1,200. Law d o for 6. months 750 Dormitory rent, suppose 164 stud ts @ 8.D. 1,312 Orindary expences of the establmt 3,500
24From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Lee, 27 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the date of my last letter to you I am enabled to add a little informn to that then given. the rev d mr Jared Sparks formerly pastor of the Unitarian church in Baltimore & lately editor of the N. A. Rev. passing to the South for his health informed me in a lre from Northfolk that he contemplated a publicn on the American revoln, and should avail himself of the journey he was on to obtain...
25From Thomas Jefferson to A. St. C. Heiskell, 22 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Col o Peyton is my correspondent in Richmond, selling and disposing of my crops and holding the proceeds subject to my order. formerly I found it sometimes difficult to get cash here for my draughts on him there. in my dealings with mr Raphael it has suited him to take my bills not only to the amount of his quarterly account but for such moderate additional sums as I need for little...
26From Thomas Jefferson to John Hartwell Cocke, 20 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I am extremely dissatisfied withe train in which our works at the University are going on, and were it not for my great confidence in the integrity of those we employ, I should be unable to resist the suspicion of a willingness in them to make the job last for life. I am at present suffering under a relapse so serious as to put it out my power to go there as frequently as is requisite. I will...
27From Thomas Jefferson to James Heaton, 20 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
The subject of your letter of Apr. 20 is one on which I do not permit myself to express an opinion, but when time, place, & occasion may give it some favorable effect. a good cause is often injured more by ill timed efforts of it’s friends than by the arguments of it’s enemies. persuasion, perseverance, and patience are the best advocates on questions depending on the will of others. the...
28From Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton, 17 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I have so entirely left all my affairs to Jefferson that I know almost nothing of them. I am uninformed whether our tob o from Bedford is all down or our flour from here. before he went away, I stated to him that we should have to make the ordinary and current call on you. he told me I might do it, as he had made provn with you on that subject. my quarterly bills are now due and must be drawn...
29Thomas Jefferson’s List of University of Virginia Students Classified by Age and List of Faculty and Staff, ca. 16 May … (Jefferson Papers)
born in 1804. or before 1805 1806 1807 1808. 1809. 21. years of age or more 20. 19. 18. 17. 16. 2 John A. G. Davis k. bo. Edw d T. Harrison. l. bl. Burwell Starke. l.
30From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Barraud Taylor, 16 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed lres will so fully explain themselves that I will not add to your trouble by a restatemt here. I know nothing of William the son, but all men known or unknown have equal rights to charity, if the mass of your business should permit you to give him. the informn he requests I will pray you to send with it the inclosed letter to him. Our University is improving in the points of order...
31From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Lee, 15 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
The sentiments of justice which have dictated your letters of the 3 d and 9 th inst. are worthy of all praise, and merit and meet my thankful acknolegements. were your father now living and proposing, as you are to publish a second edition of his Memoirs, I am satisfied he would give a very different aspect to the pages of that work which respect Arnold’s invasion and surprise of Richmond in...
32From Thomas Jefferson to James Barbour, 12 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
For 20. years past Mons r Thruin superintendant of the National garden of France, has sent me annually a box of seeds assorted to our climate. this having been intermitted for the last two years, I suspected his death. m r Madison now informs me that he has been so for some time, and that his successor now addressg such a box to him as President of the Agricultural society of Albemarle, that...
33From Thomas Jefferson to John Patten Emmet, 12 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
By a letter from mr Madison I now learn that Thouin has been dead some time, that his successor sends the box annually to him as President of the agricultural society of Albemarle, that such a box is now arrived at N. York, of which he has notified Secretary Barbour his successor. to him I have written requesting it’s consignment to us, and the sooner the better as the season is fast...
34From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Miller, 12 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter dated London Aug. 20. 1825 came to hand so long ago as Oct. 31. but considering impossible that a letter under that general address sent to such a city as London, should find you, I thought it useless to answer it. within a few days I learn that Gen l Taylor of Norfolk was your father’s agent, and the only person who could give you a state of his affairs and that he knows your...
35From Thomas Jefferson to J. B. McGruder, 7 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
The request, my dear gentlemen; of your letter recieved the day before yesterday, has greater difficulties than you are aware of. whether buildings erected by the public for appropriate purposes, and committed to the trust and safe-keeping of the visitors, can lawfully be applied by them to purposes different from the trust, may well be questioned. another evil is that if once we permit...
36From Thomas Jefferson to Jacob Abbot Cummings, 6 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
As you are occasionally sending supplies of books to your store here, I am in hopes it may not be inconvenient to supply a private application, and in that confidence request you, with your next parcel, to send me on my particular account those below mentioned. if there has not yet been an 8 vo edition of Turner published, I would rather wait than have a 4 to one. I hope our book room and...
37From Thomas Jefferson to Hezekiah Niles, 6 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Having been lately engaged in indexing my memorandum book of the last year, I observed your name not to be in it, this first suggests to me that I must have forgotten the annual remittance to you. I therefore now inclose you 10. D. for the past and present dues. my memory fails too much to be depended on; but if you would send a scrip of a note with the paper closing the year, this should not...
38From Thomas Jefferson to Arthur S. Brockenbrough, 5 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Instructions to mr Brockenbrough. 1. Engage mr Broke to come immediately & put another cover of tin on the Dome-room of the Rotunda, without disturbing the old one. 2. the inside plaistering will then be to be coloured uniform with Whiting. 3. the finishing the Dome room to be pushed by every possible exertion, as also the Anatomical building, by employing all the hands which can be got. 4....
39From Thomas Jefferson to Arthur S. Brockenbrough, 5 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
When in conversation with you yesterday, I omitted to recommend what I had intended, that is, considering the difficulties of getting up the Capitels, to get the bases first hauled and set the bricklayers immediately to begin the columns, while about them you can get the Capitels in time. The leaks in the roof we must remedy. as soon as Gen l Cocke comes I will consult with him what is to be...
40From Thomas Jefferson to Ferdinand Rudolph Hassler, 5 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor on the subject of the mathematical volume you propose to publish is just now recieved. I have no doubt of it’s value for our schools in general, and that as an elementary work for their use it will be clear & easy, as every thing is which comes from you. but to establish it as a text book in that branch of our institution would be beyond my province. our Professors of Mathematic and...
41From Thomas Jefferson to Jesse B. Harrison, 5 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Being informed that the Professorship of the French and Spanish languages in the Univ y of N.C. is vacant and now to be filled, and that mr Jesse B. Harrison of Lynchbg proposes himself as a Candidate, it gives me pleasure to bear witness to his character as far as known to me. I have had a general acquaintance with him of several years, but a more special one with his pursuits and acquiremts...
42From Thomas Jefferson to F. H. Wright, 5 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very thankful to you for your friendly letter of Apr. 15. after so many years of reflection & experience it is consolatory to me to learn that a f. c. still continues to approve of the line of my conduct in the transaction of the public affairs. with respect to my own embarrasmts, when I see so many persons failing who are so much better qualified for private business then I am, and so...
43To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 3 May 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have percieved in some of our Professors a disinclination to the preparing themselves for entering on the branches of science with which they are charged additionally to their principal one. I took occasion therefore lately to urge one of them (Dr. Emmet) to begin preparations for his Botanical school, for which the previous works necessary furnished unoffensive ground. His answer confirming...
44From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Alexander Scammell Dearborn, 3 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Apr. 26. came to hand on the 1 st instant, and I answer it by our first mail. it really took me by surprise. our bond was payable in 8. months, and our record tells us it was signed on the 4 th of October, which would have carried the payment to the 4 th of June. I now suppose that altho not signed till the 4 th of October, it may have been dated at some earlier day. but for...
45From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 3 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I have percieved in some of our Professors a disinclination to the preparing themselves for entering on the branches of science with which they are charged additionally to their principal one. I took occasion therefore lately to urge one of them (D r Emmet) to begin preparations for his Botanical school, for which the previous works necessary furnished unoffensive ground. his answer confirming...
46From 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...
47From Thomas Jefferson to John Patten Emmet, 2 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
The difficulties suggested in your favor of the 28 th ult. are those which must occur at the commencement of every undertaking. a full view of the subject however will, I think, solve them. In every meditated enterprize, the means we can employ are to be estimated, and to these must be proportioned our expectations of effect. if, for example, to the cultivation of a given field we can devote...
48Jefferson: Lottery Ticket, Apr. 1826, April 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
state of virginia. JEFFERSON LOTTERY. Register No. managers. John Brockenbrough , Philip Norb. Nicholas , Richard Anderson . Combination Nos. This Ticket will entitle the holder thereof to such prize as may be drawn to its numbers in the JEFFERSON LOTTERY. Richmond , April , 1826. For the Managers, Yates & M
49From Thomas Jefferson to Arthur S. Brockenbrough, 30 April 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very glad you have engaged mr Southall to assist us in the affairs of the Univ y and following his and mr Carr’s counsel implicitly you cannot go wrong. accding to the opn of these gent. the one in writing the other expressed to me verbally I observe that the following proceedings may be instituted against Mosby & Draffen, if they have license 1 . prosecute them for the forfeiture of 30.d...
50From Thomas Jefferson to John Patten Emmet, 27 April 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
It is time to think of the introduction of the school of Botany into our Institution. not that I suppose the lectures can be begun in the present year, but that we may this year make the preparations necessary for commencing them the next. for that branch, I presume, can be taught advantageously only during the short season while Nature is in general bloom, say, during a certain portion of the...