51From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Inglis, 19 October 1772 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter was delivered me in court to-day when it was impossible for me even to read it. I therefore detained the servant till the evening lest there might be any thing which would require an answer. I shall file the answer in which you say nothing of McCaul’s effects. Indeed the other would be improper because it confesses effects of his in your hands at the time of the subpoena served,...
52Memorandum Books, 1773 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 7. Richard Vernon (Orange). Gave him advice for which took his note for 21/6. 8. John Stewart (Augusta) v. James Callison (Augusta). I was directed to enter this petn. some time ago, and did it, but it being still blank and so not chargeable I bring the memm. forward, to get rid of old books. So when necessary recur to rough memm. books 1770. Jan. 21. Mar. 8. Feb. 20. Aug. 22. Carter...
53Thomas Jefferson to John Minor, 30 August 1814, including Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Moore, [ca. 1773?] (Jefferson Papers)
I have at length found the paper of which you requested a copy. it was written near 50. years ago for the use of a young friend whose course of reading was confided to me; and it formed a basis for the studies of others subsequently placed under my direction, but curtailed for each in proportion to his previous acquirements and future views. I shall give it to you without change, except as to...
54From Thomas Jefferson to Charles McPherson, 25 February 1773 (Jefferson Papers)
Encouraged by the small acquaintance which I had the pleasure of having contracted with you during your residence in this country, I take the liberty of making the present application to you. I understood you were related to the gentleman of your name Mr. James Macpherson to whom the world is so much indebted for the collection, arrangement and elegant translation, of Ossian’s poems. These...
55From Thomas Jefferson to Ann Eppes Harris, 26 April 1773 (Jefferson Papers)
I have applied to Mr. Waller on the subject of your bonds. He sais that Colo. Hunter when he left the country directed him not to call for the money due from yourself and son nor to do any thing further with your bonds till further orders. On being furnished by Daniel Hylton with a copy of Colo. Hunter’s letter […] he immediately inclosed it to Colo. H[unter an]d desired his directions […] for...
56Notes for Epitaph and Grave of Dabney Carr, [after 16 May 1773] (Jefferson Papers)
Inscription on my friend D. Carr’s tomb-stone. Lamented shade! [whom ev’ry] gift of heav’n Profusely blest: a temper winning mild; Nor pity softer, nor was truth more bright. Constant in doing well, he neither sought Nor shunn’d applause. No bashful merit sigh’d Near him neglected: sympathizing he Wip’d off the tear from Sorrow’s clouded eye With kindly hand and taught her heart to smile....
57From Thomas Jefferson to William Fleming, 19 May 1773 (Jefferson Papers)
You have before this heard and lamented the death of our good friend Carr . Some steps are necessary to be immediately taken on behalf of his clients. You practised in all his courts except Chesterfeild and Albemarle. I shall think I cannot better serve them than by putting their papers into your hands if you will be so good as to take them. I once mentioned to you the court of Albemarle as...
58Notice concerning Legal Fees, 20 May 1773 (Jefferson Papers)
ON serious Consideration of the present State of our Practice in the General Court, we find it can no longer be continued on the same Terms. The Fees allowed by Law , if regularly paid, would barely compensate our incessant Labours, reimburse our Expenses, and the Losses incurred by Neglect of our private Affairs; yet even these Rewards, confessedly moderate, are withheld from us, in a great...
59From Thomas Jefferson to the Rev. Charles Clay, 21 May 1773 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Carr is to be buried at this place, and I am to beg the favor of you to officiate at his funeral and to give a sermon. I have fixed on no day because I knew not what day would suit you. You will therefore be pleased to appoint one and to inform me of it by the bearer. Any day after Monday would suit me, and the sooner the better, because I left Mr. Warples in so low a situation that his...
60XII. Thomas Jefferson to Farell & Jones, 9 July 1773 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favours of April 23d. 1773 came to hand a few days after the death of Mr. Wayles an event of which I doubt not Mr. Evans has before this advised you. We are assured that you Sympathize on this occasion with his family and friends here, as a correspondence kept up, and we hope approved thro’ a long course of years must have produced on your part some degree of that friendship which we know...
61Notice of Sale of Wayles Properties, 15 July 1773 (Jefferson Papers)
Two Thousand five Hundred and twenty Acres of land in Cumberland , commonly known by the Name of Saint Jame’s ; one Thousand four Hundred and twenty Acres in the Counties of Goochland and Cumberland , on both Sides of James River, opposite to Elk Island; and one Thousand four Hundred and eighty Acres on Herring Creek, in Charles City County. The above Tracts of Land were of the Estate of the late
62Further Notice of Sale of Wayles Properties, 9 September 1773 (Jefferson Papers)
Five Hundred and fifty Acres of land in the County of Charles City , with a convenient Dwellinghouse and other Improvements, Two Hundred and twenty Acres, in the same County, pleasantly situated on James River. Two Thousand five Hundred and twenty Acres in the County of Cumberland , commonly known by the Name of Saint James’s. And one Thousand four Hundred and twenty one Acres in the Counties...
63Deed from Jane Randolph Jefferson for the Conveyance of Slaves, 29 September 1773 (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas Peter Jefferson did by his last will and testament bequeath to Jane Jefferson his wife one sixth part of all his slaves during her life, with power by deed or will to appoint the same to any of his children as she should think proper, and on his death partition having been made, the several slaves hereafter named with divers others were alloted to the said Jane: and whereas Thomas...
64Memorandum Books, 1774 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 2. John Skip Harris (Cumbld.) v. John Hall (S. Carolina). Enter petn. for 750. as. Bedford on both sides of Calloway’s waggon road patd. by def. Dec. 23. 1754. 3. Thomas Jefferson (myself) v. Thos. Mann Randolph (Goochld.). Enter friendly cav. for 400. as. land Albemarle on the South West mountains adjoining Edgehill. 8. John Hylton estate. Give credit for two gross of bottles £3. 9....
65Notes on the Progress of Certain Bills, [9–25 May 1774] (Jefferson Papers)
Entail bill (my own) May 9. 1774. leave to bring in the bill 10. bill read first time & ordd. to be read 2d time 13. Committed 19. reported & ingrossed 20. read 3d time and passed. General Entail bill May 25. leave to bring in bill to empower certain persons to convey away their lands. 26. presented, read, & to be read 2d time Road bill presentd. by Commee Cts. justce. read 1st. time & ordd....
66Draft of Instructions to the Virginia Delegates in the Continental Congress (MS Text of A Summary View, &c.), [July … (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved that it be an instruction to the said deputies when assembled in General Congress with the deputies from the other states of British America to propose to the said Congress that an humble and dutiful address be presented to his majesty begging leave to lay before him as chief magistrate of the British empire the united complaints of his majesty’s subjects in America; complaints which...
67Thomas Jefferson and John Walker to the Inhabitants of the Parish of St. Anne, [before 23 July 1774] (Jefferson Papers)
To the Inhabitants of the parish of Saint Anne. The members of the late house of Burgesses having taken into their consideration the dangers impending over British America from the hostile invasion of a sister colony, thought proper that it should be recommended to the several parishes in this colony that they set apart some convenient day for fasting, humiliation and prayer devoutly to...
68Draft of a Declaration of Rights Prepared for the Virginia Convention of August 1774, [ca. 26 July 1774] (Jefferson Papers)
A Declaration of rights and League for their support by the inhabitants of Virginia. We the subscribers inhabitants of the colony of Virginia do declare that the people of the several states of British America are subject to the laws which they adopted at their first settlement and to such others as have been since made by their respective Legislatures duly constituted and appointed with their...
69From Thomas Jefferson to Archibald Cary and Benjamin Harrison, 9 December 1774 (Jefferson Papers)
As I mean to be a conscientious observer of the measures generally thought requisite for the preservation of our independent rights, so I think myself bound to account to my country for any act of mine which might wear an appearance of contravening them. I therefore take the liberty of stating to you the following matter that thro’ your friendly intervention it may be communicated to the...
70Draft of Resolution concerning Adherence of New York to Articles of Association, [24 March 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
Ordered that certain paragraphs in the public papers, said to have been the votes of the house of representatives of New York be read. The house of Convention taking into their consideration that the said province of New York did by their delegates in General Congress solemnly accede to the compact of Association there formed for the preservation of American rights, that a defection from such...
71Resolution on Land Grants, [27 March 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
His Excellency the Governor having by proclamation bearing date the 21st. day of March in the present year declared that his majesty hath given orders that all vacant lands within this colony shall be put up in lots to public sale and that the highest bidder for such lot shall be the purchaser thereof, and shall hold the same subject to a reservation of one half-penny sterling per acre by way...