Thomas Jefferson Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/03-12-02-0481

Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 1 April 1818

To Joseph Delaplaine

Monticello Apr. 1. 18.

Dear Sir

Your letter of Mar. 11. was recd on the 24th but it is not in my power to give you any information as to mr Samuel Adams. I knew him only as serving with him in the old Congress. the disparity of our ages prevented any particular intimacy being myself the youngest but one in Congress and he I believe the oldest. he was a very operative member a sensible speaker but entirely without eloquence. but of all this there must be a thousand persons in Massachusets who know more about him than I do. I salute you with esteem & respect

Th: Jefferson

RC (LNT: George H. and Katherine M. Davis Collection); addressed: “Mr Joseph Delaplaine Philadelphia”; franked; postmarked Milton, 4 Apr.; endorsed by Delaplaine. PoC (DLC); on verso of a reused address cover from Joseph C. Cabell to TJ; endorsed by TJ.

Edward Rutledge (1749–1800) was the youngest member of the Second Continental Congress during TJ’s tenure. The oldest was Benjamin Franklin (1706–90), not Samuel Adams (1722–1803) (ANB description begins John A. Garraty and Mark C. Carnes, eds., American National Biography, 1999, 24 vols. description ends ).

Index Entries

  • Adams, Samuel (1722–1803); and J. Delaplaine’sRepository search
  • Adams, Samuel (1722–1803); TJ on search
  • books; biographical search
  • Continental Congress, U.S.; mentioned search
  • Delaplaine, Joseph; Delaplaine’s Repository search
  • Delaplaine, Joseph; letters to search
  • Franklin, Benjamin; as member of Continental Congress search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Public Service; in Continental Congress search
  • Repository of the Lives and Portraits of Distinguished Americans (J. Delaplaine) search
  • Rutledge, Edward; as member of Continental Congress search