3001To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 6 February 1818 (Madison Papers)
I inclose you a letter from Dr. Cooper, considerably important to the first successes of our college. I will request you to return it to me. I inclose also the answer which I think should be given. If you think so likewise be so good as to seal & forward it. If not, return it, as I should be unwilling to take on myself alone so important a relinquishment. Yet I think it right that we should...
3002Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 6 February 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Jan. 23. is recieved with real affliction. I sincerely lament the loss of D r Wistar , whose health, altho not the best, had yet promised, as I hoped, a longer life. in his line he leaves no superior, and his science was among our principal ornaments. distant as is our position from the immediate scene of this calamity I percieve that, in effect, it may reach us heavily. the...
3003Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 6 February 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I have deferred acknoleging the reciept of your letter of Dec. 28. in the daily hope of being able to speak with more certainty of the time when our Central college will be opened. but that is still undecided and depending on an uncertainty which I have explained to your father . I do not wonder that you find the place where you are disagreeable. it’s character, while I lived in Washington was...
3004Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 6 February 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved a letter of Dec. 28. from Francis to which I had deferred an answer until I could speak with more certainty of the prospects of our central college . he describes his situation as neither agreeable nor advantageous. Doct r Cooper had engaged with us as professor of the Physiological sciences, and had moreover offered to take charge of our classical school, until we can get for that...
3005Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 6 February 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter from D r Cooper , considerably important to the first successes of our college. I will request you to return it to me. I inclose also the answer which I think should be given. if you think so likewise be so good as to seal & forward it. if not, return it, as I should be unwilling to take on myself alone so important a relinquishment. yet I think it right that we should...
3006Thomas Jefferson’s Explanations of the Three Volumes Bound in Marbled Paper (the so-called "Anas"), 4 February 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Explanations of the 3. volumes bound in Marbled paper In these 3. vols will be found copies of the official opinions given in writing by me to Gen l Washington , while I was Secretary of state, with sometimes the documents belonging to the case. some of these are the rough draughts, some press-copies, some fair ones. in the earlier part of my acting in that office I took no other note of the...
3007Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on the Fifth Volume of John Marshall’s Life of George Washington, [ca. 4 February 1818] (Jefferson Papers)
Notes on the V th vol. of Marshal ’s life of Washington . pa. 2. ‘the practicability of perpetuating his authority ’ E t c I am satisfied G l Washington had not a wish to perpetuate his authority. but he who supposes it was practicable, had he wished it, knows nothing of the spirit of America , either of the people, or of those who possessed their confidence. there was indeed a cabal
3008Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on Agreement with Matthew Brown, 3 February 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
in this note I had omitted grouting . but in my verbal agreem t with mr Brown when I n met him in Lynchbg , I stated it to him as an article, and on his visit to me this day he agrees he understood he was to grout in the presence of Clifton Harris . MS
3009Thomas Jefferson’s Statement of Taxable Property in Albemarle County, 1 February 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
A list of the taxable property of the subscriber in Albemarle Feb. 1. 1818. 4896 ⅓ acres of land. 2. white tythes to wit E. Bacon and myself. 48. slaves of 16. and upwards. 7.
3010Thomas Jefferson to David Gelston, 28 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged by the communication in your favors of the 21 st & 22 d of the arrival of my wines at New York , and still more by your kindness in undertaking to send them on to Richmond at once, without waiting my directions. that being my only port on tidewaters, and one from whence we have water carriage to my own landing, is of course the one to which every thing must come to me; & mess...
3011Thomas Jefferson to Jonas Keller, 24 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
On the reciept of your letter of the 15 th I communicated it to mr Leitch for the information of those whom it concerned for as I have before informed you, I have no interest in this business, nor any other concern than that of good will to the young man. the accident of a first application to mr Lee for quite a different object made me the channel of communication between in this business. mr...
3012Thomas Jefferson to Mathew Carey, 18 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I The copy of the catalogue you first sent me came only to the 200 th page. in the latter part of that now rec e ived I find those underwritten which I will pray you to send me. Asserius may come by mail, but the other three volumes I would prefer to have sent by some vessel bound to Richmond . if addressed to Cap t Bernard Peyton of that place he will pay freight & forward them to me. Accept...
3013Thomas Jefferson to Stephen Cathalan, 18 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now enabled to inform you of what has passed on the subject of your letter of July 8. but first must observe to you that at the close of the late war, on the disbanding of the army, our government was very justly disposed to do whatever they could towards providing for the officers who were discharged from service, and in this spirit gave them a preference in all competitions at home for...
3014Thomas Jefferson to Pascal E. Hubbard, 18 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 9 th is recieved making enquiry concerning a mr Thomas A. Massillon who says names me as one ‘well acquainted with him.’ of the thousands who in the course of a long & public life, may have been introduced to me, my memory cannot be trusted to affirm that there never was one of that name. I certainly do not recollect ever having seen a person of that name, and am quite sure I...
3015Thomas Jefferson to John Armstrong, 17 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 4 th was recieved on the 14 th . Gen l Kosciuzko , on leaving the US. in 1798. left in my hands an autograph will disposing of his property in the US. to a charitable purpose; of which will he made me executor. his residence under one government, his property in another, and his executor in a third induced me to write to the Secretary of the treasury & the Attorney Gen l of...
3016Thomas Jefferson to Richard Bache, 17 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just recieved your favor of the 3 d and not doubting the value of a paper which shall be edited by you, I should willingly subscribe to that you propose to edit. but there is a time for every thing, & that for withdrawing from all new engagements is come for me. I have long since excused myself from new papers, & got rid of all the old except one of my own state & one out of it ; & of...
3017Thomas Jefferson to Peter S. Du Ponceau, 17 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of the 5 th & 6 th are recieved, and I am sorry it is not in my power to interest any of the Indian agents for you & particularly those of the 4. Southern tribes . these are all new men to me. mr Meigs Agent with the Cherokees would be the most likely to be useful to you. I recieved last night a letter from mr Harrison , who had been so kind as to give me the pocket MS. of Westover...
3018Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 17 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Dec. 14. came to hand last night only, and that of July 11. was the only previous one I had recieved so that if an intermediate one was written, your conjecture is just that it had never come to my hands. mr Gwathney delivered the folio MS. safe, accompanied by a written Mem o from mr C. B. Page addressed to him, & only noting that it was to be delivered to me. the pocket MS....
3019Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Carstairs, 16 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Availing myself of the circumstance of our former acquaintance, I took the liberty on the 1 st of November of requesting your information on the subject of Philadelphia prices for builders, for our government in a College we are building here : and M r Carey in a letter since that informed me you had been so kind as to call on him, and to recieve for me a copy of the Philadelphia Builder’s...
3020Thomas Jefferson to Matthew Brown, 15 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
The Visitors of the Central College living at a distance apart in the counties round about, and one of them being on the assembly at Richmond , it was not till yesterday I could get a letter from him . this enables me to close the contract of brickwork for that college with you on the terms of your letter of Dec. 20. and altho you do not in that bind yourself to finish half the work by the 1...
3021Thomas Jefferson to Joseph C. Cabell, 15 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
The messenger who carried mine of yesterday brought me in return your’s of the 5 th . I shall be anxious to hear from you after our report of the 6 th shall have been laid before the legislature , & to learn what impression it makes. because that shews how near we are to the accomplishment of a good College, one that cannot but be thought of some value to the state, and the urgency of their...
3022Thomas Jefferson to Mathew Carey, 15 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 8 th with the bill of the cost of the books sent , 14.75 and I now inclose you 15.D. as fractional sums cannot easily be passed between us let them always stand in account. with your letter came the Register, Worrall , Newcome , & Ray
3023Thomas Jefferson to Joseph C. Cabell, 14 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
When, on the 6 th instant , I was answering yours of Dec. 29. I was so overwhelmed with letters to be answered , that I could not take time to notice the objection stated that ‘neither the people, nor their representatives, would agree to the plan of assessment on the wards for the expences of the ward-schools.’ I suppose that by this is meant the ‘pecuniary expence of wages to the tutor.’...
3024Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 11 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Dick arrived here on Friday night with every thing safe. he yesterday he rested of course with his relations and to-day being Sunday he will start tomorrow. Phill will go immediately into the smith’s shop. Hanah ’s Billy is in the Cooper’s shop, and as soon as he can make a good barrel he shall return to Poplar Forest . he is too ungovernable. if what flour you have is not gone to Richmond ,...
3025Thomas Jefferson to Robert Walsh, 9 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I returned a few days ago only from a long visit to my other home, the Poplar Forest . this must apologise for my long detention of your book. I have read it with great delight. Montucla is so voluminous that we can read him but once. but Playfair has brought into a small compass the leading facts in Mathematical history, and presented them so philosophically to our view, as that the memory...
3026Thomas Jefferson to Edward Graham, 8 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much indebted to you for the information contained in your letter of the 3 d instant , by which I learn that difficulties exist as to the lines of my lands including the Natural bridge . it confirms me in my intention of going there some time in the ensuing summer, probably the latter part of it, and of seeing these lines thoroughly investigated. I wish to take nothing from my neighbors,...
3027Thomas Jefferson to Jonas Keller, 8 January [1818] (Jefferson Papers)
On seeing it announced in the newspapers that a number of stocking weavers from Switzerland were arrived at Washington under direction of mr Lee , and supposing they would not all find business there I proposed to him to send one to Charlott e sville , which I thought a good stand. he informed me that the whole constituted a company which could not separate; but that an apprentice should be...
3028Thomas Jefferson to William Lee, 8 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Dec. 15. has been duly recieved, as was at the same time one from mr Keller to whom you have turned over the direction of the company of stocking weavers. having no part in the business respecting mr Stewart ’s being taught, except having offered a voluntary contribution for his benefit, without taking any concern in the company, I could only refer mr Keller ’s letter to them,...
3029Thomas Jefferson to Philip Thornton, 8 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
The above is the copy of a letter I wrote to you at the time of it’s date, and which, I was informed thro’ Col o Randolph , you had not recieved. the object of the present is to renew the offer therein made and to add that Patrick Henry the freeman of colour living there, informs me that some mischeivous people lately threw your kettle over the bridge and destroyed it. he says the canvas tube...
3030Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 8 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I can have no hesitation in placing my name on the roll of subscribers to the print of your Declaration of Independance, & I desire to do it for two copies. the advance of price from 18.66. to 20.D. cannot be objected to by any one because of the disproportionate decrease in the value of the money. what discorages our citizens in the purchase of prints is the tawdry taste prevailing for...
3031Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 7 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to you on the 25 th of Nov. from Poplar Forest from whence I returned but a few days ago, & found here yours of Nov. 10. 20. Dec. 6. & 7. I have taken time to communicate to my colleagues (who all live at distances of 20. or 30. miles around) your acceptance of our Physiological professorship, which they lear
3032Thomas Jefferson to Joseph C. Cabell, 6 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your favor of Dec. 29. the prospect it offers as to the general system of education is not very flattering. indeed I do not wonder at the confusion of opinion prevailing among the members of the legislature . a good system of education in the abstract is among the most difficult of problems, and this difficulty is infinitely increased when the system is to be modified and...
3033Central College Board of Visitors to James P. Preston, 6 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
The late Governor of the Commonwealth having thought proper to confide to us the office of Visitors of the Central College near Charlottesville , under an act of the legislature , establishing as it’s patron, the Governor for the time being, we deem it our duty to report to you our proceedings under that appointment, with the progress & prospects of that institution. The want of a seminary of...
3034Thomas Jefferson to John Barnes, 5 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I will not trouble you with vain condolances, & expressions of regret on the death of our mutual friend Gen l Kosciuzko , which we see announced in the papers in too credible form & which we both lament. besides the power of Attorney left with me & under which we have acted, he left in my hands a Will , all written in his own hand, making a charitable disposition of his property here, of which...
3035Thomas Jefferson to William H. Crawford, 5 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
The death of Gen l Kosciuzko , which I see announced in the papers in a form leaving no doubt of it’s truth, makes it a duty in me to trouble you with this letter. he possessed, as you know, a considerable sum of money in our funds. when he left the US. in 1798. he authorised me, by a power of attorney, to superintend the transaction of his business here, which has accordingly been done thro’...
3036Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin W. Crowninshield, 5 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Dec. 26. has been rec d as had been also in due time that of Sep. 20. , on the subject of mr Cathalan ’s resignation of the office of Consul at Marseilles , & of mr Dodge ’s succession to him. I had also recieved letters of the same tenor from your late most worthy brother , written from Marseilles , and from mr Bentley of Salem
3037Thomas Jefferson to William Wirt, 5 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I have first to thank you, Dear Sir, for the copy of your late work , which you have been so kind as to send me, and then to render you double congratulations 1 st on the general applause it has so justly recieved, and next on the public testimony of esteem for it’s author, manifested by your late appointment call to the Executive councils of the nation. all this I do heartily; and then...
3038Thomas Jefferson to Charles Morris, 4 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, mr Mann Randolph , a midshipman in the navy of the US. proceeding by orders to Boston , where he expects to be under your command, naturally wishes to be favorably presented to your notice. he is a young man of correct conduct, good dispositions, and of estimable character generally. he is a nephew of Col o Randolph my son in law, whom you saw here, and a somewhat more...
3039Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Milligan, 3 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
My duty to mr Tracy does not permit me to be longer silent on the publication of the translation of his work. you were by agreement to have begun it July 4. 1816. eighteen months have elapsed, and we are at the 210 th page of a work of 578. pages: at which rate we should be 3. years more in compleating it. but worse than that, since the 28 th of April now 8. months two half sheets only have...
3040Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patton, 3 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my letter of Dec. 25. I have recieved the invoice of my books from Mess rs De Bure, brothers , of Paris , amount 710 ½ francs, which I inclose to you with their letter to ascertain the amount of the duties. as soon as you are so good as to make these known to me they shall be remitted, and on their reciept I will ask the favor of you to return me the invoice and letter of Mess rs De Bure...
3041Thomas Jefferson to Wells & Lilly, 3 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Meeting casually with the 2 d of the Dissertations prefixed to the Supplement of the Encyclopaedia, by Playfair , I observe that you have before printed the 1 st and are proceeding to print the rest. I ask the favor of you to send me those already printed, and the others as they shall come out. I see on the covers of the 2 d your notice of some books you have for sale, among which are those...
3042To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 2 January 1818 (Madison Papers)
Expecting daily an answer from the President authorising me to sign the within for him I had rather not take on myself a 3d. and therefore send it to you. I have adopted your amendments and made some other small ones. To economise writing I make one letter do for the other gentlemen, joining you with them, altho’ it contains no more than I had before written to you. After signing yourself be...
3043Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 2 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Expecting daily an answer from the President authorising me to sign the within for him I had rather not take on myself a 3 d and therefore send it to you. I have adopted your amendments and made some other small ones. to economise writing I make one letter do for the other gentlemen, joining you with them, altho’ it contains no more than I had before written to you . after signing yourself be...
3044Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, David Watson, and John H. Cocke, [2 January 1818] (Jefferson Papers)
A report to the Governor having been agreed on at our last meeting, and it’s materials being chiefly in my possession, I have presumed to make a draught, and now send it for your consideration. if approved as it is, be so good as to sign it; if any material alteration be thought necessary, if such as not to deface the paper be so good as to make it & sign, if it deface the paper I must request...
3045Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on Lease of Tufton and Lego to Thomas Jefferson Randolph, [after 1 January 1818] (Jefferson Papers)
Memms of an agreement between Tho s Jefferson & Tho s J. Randolph for the lease of the Tufton & Lego plantations of the sd Th: Jefferson with all the negroes, stock and utensils upon them. The lease is to continue five years. the negroes are to be maintained, clothed and their taxes and levies paid by the lessee,
3046Memorandum Books, 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 1. Inclosed to Nichs. G. Dufief 50.D. to pay the 31.D. ante June 8. which Mr. Gibson did not remit and to pay for books lately ordered. 6. Deliverd. E. Bacon 65.D. to pay Isaac Hardin for 65. bush. of rye. Borrowed of E. Bacon 145.D. 11. Paid Rowland Goodman 55.D. on account. 14. Assumed to pay in Apr. or May to O. Callis’s estate 144.90 D. due to them from Mrs. Marks: also the taxes on...
3047Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on Poplar Forest Survey, [after 17 December 1817], document 10 in a group of documents on … (Jefferson Papers)
according to the survey of Dec. 17. to plat the vacant land between P.F. & Cobb ’s. Begin at the w.o. ∠ in the S. end of the S. 50. E. line. ✓ N. 75 E. 59. po. to the old spring poplar side line. ✓ sa. co. 9. po. to locust stake in his field. in all 68. po. [note this
3048Thomas Jefferson to Joseph C. Cabell, 31 December 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Our friend Gen l Kosciuzko has warmly solicited my attention to the case of M. Poinsot des Essarts , stated in the inclosed papers. he wishes to be informed of the situation of the lands therein described, their quality & value, and whether any and what taxes are due on them. I suppose they must be in what is now Harrison county . having no acquaintance in that part of the country, and...
3049Thomas Jefferson to John C. Calhoun, 31 December 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Poirey , who was Secretary to Gen l La Fayette while he served in the American army, transmitted me the inclosed papers from France , with a request to lay them before our government. they came to hand about the time that the war office became vacant. I supposed it to be a case in which the officer per interim would not take on himself to act, and expecting constantly that a principal...
3050Thomas Jefferson to David Higginbotham, 31 December 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
According to promise I sent to mr Short a form of reconveyance of the Indian camp to you, and impressed on him the necessity of executing it. he has just returned it to me duly executed, and I have the pleasure of inclosing it to you with assurances of my constant esteem & respect. RC ( ViU: TJP ); at foot of text: “ M r Higgenbotham ”; endorsed by Higginbotham . PoC ( MHi ); on verso of...