1Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 17 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I have already acknowledged the receipt of your last obliging favours.— I beg you to inform me whether you ever had any children besides M rs Eppes & M rs Randolph —what are the ages of these ladies—and how many children they have and all their names?— What Literary and other societies you may be a member of in this & other countries? or what societies you have been a member of? Where were you...
2From James Madison to Joseph Delaplaine, 20 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of with the preceding one on the same subject. I sincerely wish the success to your Biographical Undertaking which your exertions merit; both for your own sake, and for the gratification it is capable of affording to the Public. But having not yet perused the half volume I possess, I can not say more than was said in the few lines heretofore dropt you. In truth, considering...
3To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 3 April 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have received, within a few days, your portrait, painted by Mr. Morse for me.— I have already informed you that I received an anonymous letter from a lady without date or place of residence, but bearing the Boston postmark, requesting me in urgent terms not to use the portrait for an engraving. Before the portrait arrived, I heard, through various channels, from persons of Boston, that the...
4Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 12 April 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
My repugnance is so invincible to be saying any thing of my own history, as if worthy to occupy the public attention, that I have suffered your letter of Mar. 17. but not recieved till Mar. 28. to lie thus long, without resolution enough to take it up. I indulged myself at some length on a former occasion, because it was to repel a calumny still sometimes repeated, after the death of it’s...
5Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 14 October 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure of sending to you herewith, your second number of the Repository which contains your portrait & life. With both of which I hope you will be pleased.— I should be happy to hear from you, for my own private satisfaction, respecting the merits of the 2 d n o — My work is so very expensive that it keeps me constantly, even oftentimes without market money.— I take the liberty of...
6Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 30 October 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 14 th got to hand a few days ago only, and with it the 2 d number of the Repository. I now inclose you 12.D. for the 2. numbers recieved & for the next in advance, and will take care in future to keep always in advance. you ask my opinion again of this number. I find the style and execution entirely good. were I to indulge a criticism it would be that you extend to the living...
7Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 10 November 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the pleasure, a few weeks ago, of sending to you , the second half volume of the Repository. Being on a visit of business to New York , I know not whether you did me the honour of answering my letter . I indulge a hope that I have given satisfaction to all your family & friends in the life that I have given of you. Certain it is, that I have been highly complimented by many persons for...
8Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 11 March 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I am preparing for the Repository, the life of the late illustrious Samuel Adams . I received this day, from Boston , a letter from his worthy Grandson, who in speaking of the scanty materials, says “I presume, that Thomas Jefferson , (the sage & patriot), would furnish you with some important facts.”— Can you do so, D r sir? Any thing you may think of, would be acceptable, to, D r sir, your...
9Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 1 April 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Mar. 11. was rec d on the 24 th 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...
10From James Madison to Joseph Delaplaine, 17 June 1818 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 10th. inst: preceded by one on the same subject; and have just recd. 2 packets from Cincinnati, as shewn by the post mark. They are addressed to me without letter, or any indication that they were to be forwarded to you. One of the packets consists of several pamphlets, which with the exception of the two herewith enclosed, were heretofore sent you by J. P. Todd. The...
11To James Madison from Joseph Delaplaine, 22 June 1818 (Madison Papers)
I am honoured, this day, with your obliging favour of the 17th: instant. Have the goodness, dear sir, to send to me the Mss &c &c, to which your letter alludes, as soon as possible. With perfect respect & esteem your obedt. & very huml. st. My very best respects & regard to Mrs. Madison & Mr. Todd. RC ( DLC ). Docketed by JM.
12To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 11 August 1818 (Adams Papers)
I am prepared, whenever I may have the consent of yourself & family, to commence writing your life for my National Biographical work “the Repository of the Lives & Portraits of Distinguished Americans”, the first volume of which, containing Twelve lives & portraits, is already published.— Pray inform me, from what sources I may derive the materials from which I shall be enabled to complete...
13From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 31 August 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have not been able, till this moment to acknowlege your Letter of the 11th. You have my full consent to publish whatever you please concerning my Character. My Life can never be written, not even by myself; for it would take me as much time to write it, as it has to live it. You enquire for “Sources:” I know of none better than American Journals Newspapers and Pamphlets; next to them the...
14Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 22 December 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope you m a y be pleased with the 3 d half vol. of the Repository which I this day send to you.—Can you favour me with a line? RC ( DLC ); dateline at foot of text; addressed: “ Tho s Jefferson Esq r Monticello Virginia ”; endorsed by TJ as received 31 Dec. 1818 and so recorded in SJL ; additional notation by TJ beneath endorsement: “
15To James Madison from Joseph Delaplaine, 11 October 1820 (Madison Papers)
At the request of the author, I have the honour of transmitting to you, for your kind acceptance, a volume of poetry, for your good opinion of which, I know he would feel much gratified. An elementary book for the use of schools, new in its design & arrangement, will be issued from the press by the same author, in a fee [ sic ] months; at which time I shall have the pleasure of sending to you...
16Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 11 October 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
At the request of the author , I have the honour of transmitting to you, for your kind acceptance, a volume of poetry, for your good opinion of which; I know he would feel much gratified. An elementary book for the use of schools, new in its design & arrangement, will be issued from the press by the same author , in a few months, at which time I shall have the pleasure of sending to you a...
17From James Madison to Joseph Delaplaine, [ca. 31] October 1820 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your note of the 11th. with the little poetical volume of Mr. Mead; for which I desire that my thanks may be accepted. It is so long since I indulged myself in this species of reading, that I can the less venture to pronounce on the merit of the performance. From a hasty glance over it, my attention was caught by passages, which appeared well to accord with the inspiration of the...
18Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 15 January 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour, some considerable since, of sending to you , for your kind acceptance, in the name of the author, a poem by my friend M r Charles Mead .— From a gentleman of your distingu i shed character, and well known cultivated taste, I know it know Would be gratifying to M r Mead to receive an opini o
19Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 29 January 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 15 th is recieved, as was in due time that of Oct. 11. with the poem of mr Meade , and I did not know that I had omitte d to return my thanks for it. this I hope will be kindly imputed to my increasing inability to write letters. when I gave you a written opinion on the biographical work you were engaged in, you will recollect I mentioned that it was the singular case in...
20To James Madison from Joseph Delaplaine, 23 January 1822 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of sending to you at the request of my friend Mr. Charles Mead, a book for the use of schools which he has been at considerable pains in preparing, & for which he has received unqualified approbation. He would feel highly honoured by receiving a testimonial in its favour & if it may be agreeable it would give me pleasure to receive it from you. With very high respect &...
21Enclosure: Joseph Delaplaine’s Prospectus for an American Travel Guide, [by 9 February 1822] (Jefferson Papers)
H. C. CAREY & I. LEA intend to publish, A COMPLETE PICTURE of the UNITED STATES. THIS work is designed to comprehend the various subjects of population, (with a brief view of manners and customs,) soil, climate, lakes, bays, rivers, canals, and inland navigation generally. Mountains, bridges, roads, and antiquities.—Natural and civil history, as far as the plan will permit;—with an account of...
22To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 9 February 1822 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty of soliciting the favour of you to furnish me within a few weeks, should you have leisure, a very brief account of such subjects in relation to your quarter, as you may feel interested to see in the picture of the United States, and for which I shall give you credit in the publication, unless you direct otherwise. I have the honour of informing you that I have received in my...
23From James Madison to Joseph Delaplaine, 12 February 1822 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of Jany. 23. and with it the little volume of Mr. Mead entitled “School Exercise.” A plan which brings into a small compas[s] the several branches of youthful instruction, which places them in the proper order of succession, and conducts the Student, by easy gradations in each, from an early to an advanced Stage of education, speaks sufficiently its own commendation....
24Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 12 February 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I by no means wish to trespass upon your time even for five minutes; but if there is any subject in which you may feel interested enough to see in the picture of the United States , in relation to your quarter, depend upon it I shall feel great happiness in its insertion.— RC ( DLC ); addressed: “ Thomas Jefferson Esq r Monticello Virginia ”; franked; postmarked Philadelphia , 14 Feb.;...
25Joseph Delaplaine to Thomas Jefferson, 18 February 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the pleasure of writing to you a few days ago, & enclosed a prospectus of the Picture of the United States . If you may think of any thing worthy to be inserted in it I shall be happy to be favoured with it.— Or, if in on look ing into Morse ’s Geography you find he has omitted any matter which you May deem interesting, I hope you will have the goodness, provided you may have leisure, to...
26To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 5 March 1822 (Adams Papers)
A few weeks ago I had the honour of informing you that I have a fine portrait by King, of your distinguished son, the Honourable John Quincy Adams, in my National Gallery of portraits.—I took the liberty at the same time, to request the favour of you to forward to Charles Shaw Esqr. of Boston, a package which I then enclosed to your special care.— A letter which I had the honour of receiving...
27From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 12 March 1822 (Adams Papers)
I thank you kindly for the Portrate of Mr Jay, which I very much admire, it is a great likeness it is stamped with wisdom sagacity, and benevolence as they have been, stamped upon his Countenance and Conduct, all his Life time.—I have delivered your formal letter to Mr Charles Shaw, to Mr William Smith Shaw the superintendent of the Boston Atheneaum and I shall deliver that inclosed with Mr...
28To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 26 March 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have been honoured with your obliging favour.— I find that the second portrait that you would be glad to see, is that of Dr. Rush which I now beg leave to enclose for your kind acceptance.— The letters which I addressed to Mr. Charles Shaw the Author of the accot. of Boston were properly directed. They contained a request that he would furnish me with some facts in relation to Boston to be...
29From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 23 April 1822 (Adams Papers)
Portraits or Busts, of Men or Women taken in Old Age, which as Ossean says, and says truly is dark and unlovely are always disagreeable; much more so are those taken after Death or in Articulo mortis The Portraits of Dr Franklin taken when he was eighty four were no more like him, in the middle of his Age or even when he was seventy years Old than they resembled those of Voltair I delight to...
30From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 24 April 1822 (Adams Papers)
Portraits, or Busts, of Men or Women taken in Old age which as Ossian says, and says truly is dark and unlovely, are always disagreeable, much more so are those taken after death, or in articulo mòrtes The Portraits of Dr Frankline taken when he was eighty four, were no more like him in the middle of his Age or even when he was seventy years old, than they resemble those of Voltair. I delight...
31To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Delaplaine, 21 February 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed letter is from one of my best & worthiest friends. He is the Cashier of the Bank of Germantown near us, & is well known for exemplary conduct.—It would afford me peculiar gratification if you would answer his letter. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.