1To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Mann Randolph, Sr., 10 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
There seems to be Fatality attending the promise I made you, of a Supply of beer. Two days after Jupiter went up last, my Brewer went up the County to see his Wife, and I have never set eyes on him since, and of Course have had none brewed! Colo. Cary who is now here, joins me in thanks for the Paccan trees. I dont know of a Rabbit nearer this, than Shirley and Mr. Carter is just now begining...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 25 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry to hear, by letter from Mr. Elder, that your health is infirm, and that it is likely to become necessary on that account for yourself, your brother and cousin to remove to the continent of Europe. Edinburgh had the two advantages of possessing science in as high a degree as any place in the world, and of conveying it in your native tongue. Places may be found on the continent which...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 16 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I am afraid by delaying so long a time to answer your letter I have deservedly forfeited the advantages which might be derived from such a correspondence, but still hope that as I wish to make amends for my fault your goodness will incline you to forgive it. By the reestablishment of my health in great measure, a removal to the continent has become unnecessary, at least before the time which...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 27 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your favour of the 16th. instant, and desirous, without delay, of manifesting my wishes to be useful to you, I shall venture to you some thoughts on the course of your studies which must be submitted to the better advice with which you are surrounded. A longer race through life may have enabled me to seise some truths which have not yet been presented to your observation. A...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 14 April 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your letter containing advice with respect to my education, which I shall allways feel the advantage of having obtaind and which I shall express my gratitude for by the only method in my power, implicitly following it. I have allready attended a course of lectures on each of the sciences you mentioned except Botany and Anatomy, which are to engross the greater part of my time this...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 6 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of April 14. came here during my absence on a journey through the Southern parts of France and Northern of Italy, from which I am but lately returned: this cause alone has prevented your receiving a more early answer to it. I am glad to find that among the various branches of science presenting themselves to your mind you have fixed on that of Politics as your principal pursuit....
7From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 28 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of April 14. 1787. gave me reason to hope we should have seen you here this winter. That being nearly passed over I am apprehensive you may have changed your plan. Or perhaps you have chosen first to finish those courses of lectures which are to make a part of your education. This is certainly wise, but I hope you will not be diverted altogether from your purpose of coming here. I...
8[To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 20 March 1788] (Jefferson Papers)
[ 20 Mch. 1788 . Recorded in SJL Index. Not found.]
9From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 8 March 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I left in the room where I lodged a volume of Lopez de Gomara which I must beg the favor of you to take care of for me till I have the pleasure of seeing you. We arrived here late having a crowded stage and moving very slowly. We set out at day light tomorrow morning, and the weather being intensely cold we have not a comfortable prospect before us. Be so good as to present my respects to...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 28 March 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here on the 21st. inst. after as laborious a journey of a fortnight from Richmond as I ever went through; resting only one day at Alexandria and another at Baltimore. I found my carriage and horses at Alexandria, but a snow of 18. inches deep falling the same night, I saw the impossibility of getting on in my own carriage, so left it there to be sent to me by water, and had my horses...
11From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 18 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 28th of March: to Patsy on the 4th. of April, and to Polly on the 11th. I now inclose a letter for Patsy, which being delivered me by Sr. John Temple, I presume comes from one of her friends the lady Tuftons. The best channel for sending an answer will be to send it thro me, Sr. J. Temple and the D. of Leeds’s office. Letters and papers to the 5th. of Feb. from France shew...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 23 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Martha, Maria and myself have just returned today from a visit to your Sister Mrs. Carr. The journey to Eppington has been postponed for a short time, partly from necessity, having no horses of our own as yet, but principally from our unwillingness to part so soon with little Maria. It should not have been delayed a moment, had we not been convinced that you would not have hesitated to gratify...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 3 May 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry it is not in my power to begin immediately the course of observations you proposed in your last letter . I have not a thermometer even, at present, but shall provide myself directly with one, and as soon as possible with a Barometer. The addition of the Meteorological phaenomena, observations with respect to the migration of birds, and the changes in plants ought to render it a...
14From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 9 May 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of April 23. with those of the 25th. from the girls. The object of the present is merely to acknowledge their receipt and to inclose you the newspapers; an attack of the periodical head-ach, which came on me about a week ago rendering me unable as yet either to write or read without great pain. It has been abating for some days, and has been so slight to-day...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 23 May 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
A lingering head-ach still prevents me from answering fully your favors of April 23. and May 3. Having taken the bark till it ceased to produce any effect, I discontinued for some days. I shall resume it to day, and hope it will remove the small and feeble returns which still keep me from business. In my letter of the last week to Patsy, I mentioned the state of the President. He is now...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 25 May 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Since we wrote last Martha and myself have determined to settle immediately on our farm. We have concluded that the advantage of constant employment in interesting tho’ trivial affairs will more than ballance the many inconveniences we must put up with. On her account alone those inconveniences deserve regard, and she is so certain that they cannot affect her happiness as to be impatient to...
17From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 30 May 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I at length find myself, tho not quite well, yet sufficiently so to resume business in a moderate degree. I have therefore to answer your two favors of Apr. 23. and May 3. and in the first place to thank you for your attention to the Paccan, Gloucester, and European walnuts which will be great acquisitions at Monticello. I will still ask your attention to Mr. Foster’s boring machine, lest he...
18From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 20 June 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of May 25. came to hand on the 5th. inst. I am infinitely pleased at your predilection for settling in Albemarle. Certainly no circumstance in life is so near my heart as to have you near me. This will fix beyond a doubt my intended visit to Virginia, in the fall, in order to see what arrangements may be taken for settling you in Albemarle. In the mean while perhaps it might be as...
19From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 11 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Your last favor was of May 25. Mine was of June 20. having written regularly every third week to you, and the intermediate ones to Patsy or Polly. The bill for the removal of the federal government to Philadelphia for 10. years and then to Georgetown has at length past both houses, so that our removal is now certain: and I think it tolerably certain that the President will leave this place on...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 25 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
This being my week of writing to Maria, I should not have troubled you but to inclose the copy of a letter I write this day to Colo. Randolph. You see that I have taken great liberties in hazarding ideas on which you ought to have been previously consulted: however I do it in such a way as to leave them open for your correction, and when we meet at Monticello, the arrangements may be finally...
21From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 3 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of the last week I believe I did not acknoledge the reciept of yours of July 3. With respect to Mr. Thompson he had been named to the Consulship of the Canaries: but as these offices have no direct emoluments, depending for indemnification on the consignments and other business they may produce, he has declined accepting any. Your application needed no apology. I know the...
22From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 14 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I am setting out on a trip to Rhode-island with the President tomorrow, by water. We shall be absent about 5. or 6. days, and of course his departure hence to the Southward will be that much later than he intended, and my departure, which must be after his, a little delayed. Still I hope to reach Monticello by the 15th. of September, or from that to the 20th. We have just concluded a treaty...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 29 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The President sets out tomorrow. I shall follow two or three days after, so that allowing for stoppages on the road I shall be at Monticello about the 18th. of Sep. unless I should go by the way of Mt. Vernon which will add a delay of two or three days. I hope I shall have the happiness of meeting yourself and my daughters there. Tho’ I count on remaining there a month, yet it will be subject...
24From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 22 October 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
When you shall have perused the inclosed, be so good as to stick a wafer in it and deliver it. It will explain it’s own object, on which therefore I need add nothing. You are certainly right in deciding to relinquish the purchase if Colo. Randolph desires it. But I rather suppose he means nothing more than that he will not abide by the agreement if all the articles are insisted on. He mentions...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 11 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I am extremely sorry it is not in my power to forward to you Andersons account of the Hebrides as I promised: it was lent by Mr. Forster to a friend who mislaid it and as yet it has been searched for in vain. You will probably meet with it at Mr. Dobsons Bookseller 2d Str. Philadelphia. The bargain with my Father will be droped alltogether I believe as I have been with him several times in...
26From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 12 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you some wheat which the President assures me from many years experience to be the very best kind he has ever seen. He spread it through the E[aster]n shore of Maryland several years ago, and it has ever be[en c]onsidered as the very best of the white wheat of that state so much celebrated. It is said to weigh 62. 63. 64. lb to the bushel. The grain, tho’ small, is always plump. The...
27From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 23 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you from George town inclosing some seed of the best white wheat. Our journey here was without accident, except that of retardation by the rains. Our delay happened however at the Susquehanna, where the abundance of Sheldrakes was some solace. My newly purchased horse ( Brimmer ) performed well; I drove him a good deal in the carriage. I do not think he lost a pound of flesh on the...
28From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 16 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of Nov. 11. I have yesterday received a letter from Mr. Mazzei authorizing the immediate sale of Colle, and shall therefore write to Mr. Lewis on the subject. I sincerely wish you may be able to get some of Mr. Carter’s land adjoining. But I should think it worth your while to go further than 300 acres, and that by a negociation with Dobson you...
29From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 11 January 179[1] (Jefferson Papers)
I have this day recieved your favor of Dec. It is the first and only news I have had from home since I left it. I have written some scolding letters on this account. I am very sorry for the discontinuance of the Charlottesville post, and will contribute any thing reasonable for it’s reestablishment provided it goes from Charlottesville to Richmond directly, and returns there in like manner. In...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 2 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Polly has allready informed you of the addition of a little Grand Daughter to your family and of its unexpected arrival; which was pleasing to us as it was not in the least premature. Mrs. Fleming had been kind enough to offer her assistance to Patsy during her confinement which we expected would have commenced about the end of February, and I had gone down to accompany her up. But Mrs....
31To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 8 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Patsy continues in very good health and would have written to you herself had I not prevented her from the fear of her being fatigued. The little one is perfectly well and increases in size very fast. We are desirous that you should honor her and ourselves by confering a name on her and accordingly have deferred the christening till we can hear from you. Polly is very well and prepares to give...
32To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 21 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Patsy, the little girl Polly and myself have been in good health since you heard last from us. Your silence for the two last weeks, makes us fear that you are not so fortunate. Patsy had just begun to visit the public room, but a very deep snow which fell yesterday and today obliges her to return to her Chamber. During the whole of her confinement, she has scarcely felt the smallest...
33From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 24 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of the 2d. on the 21st. inst. and am happy to be assured that my correspondence with Monticello will be regular hereafter. I wish the post when reestablished, had been put into the hands of some body in or near Charlottesville. Whenever that question shall come on again, I would give liberally to a Charlottesville competitor to enable him to underbid any one so distant as...
34To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 5 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Thompson the gentleman whom I mentioned last summer to you as a Candidate for a Consulship has applied to me again on the same subject by a letter which I inclose to you now. I will not repeat my desire that my representation may not have the least weight, as I know that it ought not, and of course am fully convinced that it will not. However as in this case perhaps the inquiry into the...
35To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 14 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Altho the letter carrier between Charlottesville and Richmond is continued in his employment, the conveyance is extremely irregular. He has no fixed day of departure from his own habitation which is about 15 miles from Charlotteslle. but sets out as it suits him on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, and keeps the letters in his hands frequently 3 days after his return. When the Weather is bad he...
36From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 17 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favours of Feb. 8. and 21. have both come to hand. The former not till 4. or 5. days ago. I am made happy by learning that my daughter is so well as also the little stranger . According to your desire expressed in the letter first mentioned, tho’ last recieved, I take the liberty of proposing for her the name of Anne , a name which must be very dear to you, and belongs also to Patsy’s...
37From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 6 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Mar. 5. came to hand on the 24th. and that of Mar.14. on the 1st. inst. With respect to Mr. Thompson it has been understood that his circumstances are desperate and that he is fond of the bottle. At the time the first appointments of consuls were made, their circumstances were not attended to, and an appointment or two took place of persons under embarrasments of that kind. We...
38To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 30 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
We are unhappy at not being able to transmit you as regular accounts from Monticello as you are desirous of having. The discontinuance of the post throws us entirely on the Waggons for the conveyance of our letters, a method not only irregular but extremely uncertain. It is particularly painful to us to be frequently in doubt from the same cause about the state of your health as there is...
39From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 1 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknowlege the reciept of your favour of Apr. 7. which came to hand on the 20th. I hope my letters on the subject of my tobacco have got to hand in time to prevent any contract there interfering with the sale I made here. I learn that 4. hhds. more are coming on. Being entitled to the highest price given before payment, I believe I shall be sure of 5⅓ dollars which will neat me 29/3...
40From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 15 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of April 30. came to hand on the 7th. inst. and I thank you for your information relative to the Opossum, which I hope the next season will enable you to complete. You may count it as fortunate that so interesting an investigation remains still to be made, and that, being made with care and science, it cannot fail to attract general notice.—In my letter of last week I mentioned my...
41VI. Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 5 June 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Madison and myself are so far on the tour we had projected. We have visited in the course of it the principal scenes of Burgoyne’s misfortunes, to wit the grounds at Still water where the action of that name was fought and particularly the breastworks which cost so much blood to both parties, the encampments at Saratoga and ground where the British piled their arms, and the field of the...
42V. Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 3 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to Maria this day sennight, and to Martha three days before, to wit June 23. In this letter I asked information to be obtained from Colo. Lewis relative to my tobo. of which I had heard nothing. But having received the day after a letter from him, giving me full information, I mentioned in mine to Maria, that no notice should be taken of my desire expressed in the letter to her sister....
43To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 7 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of June 23. arrived at Monticello on the 4. of July and made us happy by mentioning the beneficial effects of your journey. We take the first opportunity to inform you that we are in good health ourselves. In a late letter you desire us to let you know our success with the seeds you sent from Philadelphia. The Sugar maple has failed entirely, a few plants only having appeared which...
44From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 17 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 7th. came to hand yesterday and brought me the news, always welcome, of your being all well. I have taken effectual means of repairing the loss of the sugar maple seed, by bespeaking a new supply of seed, and purchasing a considerable number of young trees from Prince in Long-island who will forward them to Richmond in the fall. The species of rice which has succeeded, is...
45From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 24 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I had always intended to endeavor to engage with some miller of capital here to erect my mill on such plan as he should chuse and then rent it to him for a term of years. Your letter informing me that Mr. Divers and others were proposing to take Mr. Henderson’s mill, but that they had not been able to agree, induces me to suppose it possible they might be willing to take mine. I should propose...
46From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 7 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of July 24. I acknowleged the reciept of yours of the 7th. which is the last letter I have had from Monticello. I presume you will have seen in the Virginia papers an advertisement of Aug. Davies’s on the subject of a post through Columbia and Charlottesville to Staunton. He writes me word he has no doubt of getting an undertaker to perform the ride once a week, so that I hope we...
47To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 22 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I can give you no account of the objects of our mutual affection later than the 15. of this month when I left every thing well at Monticello. I came down principally to give my vote in the County of Henrico to my Father who is candidate for a place vacant in the Senate of Virginia. I had made a disagreeable mistake with respect to the day of the election and should have returned immediately if...
48To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 22 August [1791] (Jefferson Papers)
The Satisfaction my Fathers Success gives me, makes me communicate it to you. Colo. Harvey lies dangerously ill. I am Dear Sir your affectionate friend & devoted Servant RC (Thomas A. Lingenfelter, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, 1994); partially dated; addressed: “Thomas Jefferson Secretary of State Philadelphia”; stamped and postmarked; endorsed by TJ as received 27 Aug. 1791 and so recorded in...
49From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 28 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just now recieved your two favors of the 22d. with the information, always welcome to me, of the health of our family. Mr. Derieux’s letters will go by a vessel which sails on Saturday next, consequently before his power of Attorney arrives, nor can I leave any directions to forward it, as the letter inclosing it cannot be described to the chief clerk of the office so as to authorize...
50From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 25 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The first part of our journey was pleasant, except some hair-breadth escapes which our new horse occasioned us in going down hills the first day or two, after which he behaved better, and came through the journey preserving the fierceness of his spirit to the last. I believe he will make me a valuable horse. Mrs. Washington took possession of Maria at Vernon and only restored her to me here....