21Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 26 July 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
In compliance with the request of your letter of the 6 th inst. with respect to Peyton Randolph , I have to observe that the difference of age between him and myself admitted my knowing little of his early life; except what I accidentally caught from occasional conversations. I was a student at College , when he was already Attorney General; at the bar, and a man of established years; and I...
22From James Madison to Joseph Delaplaine, 22 October 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the instant. I had previously recd. a copy of the first half volume of the Repository. Of the general object of a work, which is to exhibit the likenesses & lives of selected Individuals, it would be superfluous to express an approbation. In the execution of the work, the essential merit must of course depend on the propriety of the selections, on the...
23Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 11 November 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieve here your favor of Oct. 26. the half volume of the Repository is probably recieved at Monticello where it will await my return. the objections to your work appear to be perfectly answered in the pamphlet you have been so kind as to inclose me. you had a right certainly to chuse your own scale of biography more or less extended, and the shorter as merely an Appendix to your main...
24Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 25 December 1816 (first letter) (Jefferson Papers)
My general aversion from the presumption of intruding on the public an opinion of works offered to their notice has yielded in the present instance to the merit of your undertaking, and to your belief, well or ill founded, that my testimony in it’s favor may be of advantage to it. I have written therefore, in a separate letter , which you are free to publish, what I can conscientiously say on...
25Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 25 December 1816 (second letter) (Jefferson Papers)
On my return from Bedford , after an absence of 7. weeks, I found here your favors of Oct. 28. Nov. 13. 20. & 23. with a copy of the 1 st N o of your Repository. but I found also an immense accumulation of letters recieved during my absence, some of which claimed my first attentions. you know my aversion to the drudgery of the writing table. the great affliction of my present life is a too...
26From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 5 January 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your Letter of 24th. of Decr. with the Pamphlet. I am Sorry to see in our American Reviewes an affectation of imitating European Reviewers. They generally discover an unnatural Appetite for Sour Plums: more Sagacity in discovering little faults than great Merits. I will now for a Moment undertake the Office of a Critic, not for publication: but between you and me. In my Opinion you...
27From 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...
28Thomas 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...
29Thomas 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...
30Thomas 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...