1Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 18 May 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by mr Rives a young gentleman of this state and my neighborhood. he is an eleve of mine in law, of uncommon abilities, learning and worth. when you and I shall be at rest with our friends of 1776. he will be in the zenith of his fame and usefulness. before entering on his public career he wishes to visit our sister states and would not concieve he had seen any thing of...
2Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 17 May 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I present to you mr Rives , the bearer of this, an eleve of mine in law and politics. he is able, learned, honest, & orthodox in his principles. being just about to enter on the stage of public life he wishes first to see something more of our country at large. he will be one of the distinguished men of our state , & of the United States . in taking him by the hand while in Boston you will...
3William C. Rives to Thomas Jefferson, 30 August 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I had the pleasure of being at Monticello , the unsettled state of my health has totally disqualified me for intellectual exertion. Indeed, for the last two years, either the incapacity resulting from this cause, or the avocations of business have materially obstructed my desire of knowledge, by taking away the physical power of obtaining it.— The former evil being now partially removed...
4William C. Rives to Thomas Jefferson, 4 June 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
W. Rives offers his most respectful compliments to Mr. Jefferson, & informs him that he is at present unable to communicate the precise amount of the costs of Mitford’s Greece & Mrs. Macauley’s England , but will procure the agent of Brown & Rives in this place to obtain a particular statement of them from the house in Richmond . The manner in which Mr. Jefferson proposes to discharge these...
5William C. Rives to Thomas Jefferson, 20 November 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
An unexpected call from my friends has rendered it necessary for me to leave this neighbourhood before your return from Bedford . In consequence of this event I am prevented from delivering that portion of your books, which I have already read. I intend, however, to return after a few days, when you shall receive them.—Permit me, sir, to avail myself of this opportunity of expressing the...
6William C. Rives to Thomas Jefferson, 3 December 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
You will receive from the bearer of this note the books, whose names are subjoined.— I have read Dalrymple on Feudal property, but as a recurrence to it may sometimes become necessary, I have retained it.—It was my wish to have waited on you this morning, but preparations for my departure from Milton , and the constant expectation of the stage’s arrival, detain me here. 2 nd Vol. Kennets Hist....
7Thomas Jefferson to John Langdon, 17 May 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I present to you mr Rives , an eleve of mine in law and politics: honest, able, learned, & true in the holy republican gospel. bestow on him your native kindness, not only for the gratification of your own benevolent dispositions, but to shew him the degree of estimation in which you hold your RC ( DLC : William C. Rives Papers); addressed: “The honorable John Langdon Portsmouth by mr Rives.”...
8Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 17 May 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer mr Rives , the son of one of our wealthiest citizens and of the neighboring county of Amherst , is an eleve of mine in law & politics. before he commences practice he wishes to visit the country North of us. an honester, abler, or better informed man could not be presented to you. make him sensible of my high estimation of him by the kind offices which you as my friend may render...
9Thomas Jefferson to Daniel D. Tompkins, 18 May 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Altho’ I have not had the honor of a personal acquaintance with you, yet our respective public duties have heretofore produced an intercourse of letters which rendering us not entire strangers furnish the grounds of addressing this letter to you. it will be handed by mr Rives , a young gentleman of this state, an eleve of mine in the law, of great abilities, learning and worth, and one who...