11Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 4 [May] 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I embrace every opportunity for presenting my respects, constantly wishing thee all possible heath health & happiness. This Work has long been wanting, & for years I have been urged to undertake it. I am pretty well satisfied with the plan of it, & hope it may meet thy approbation. May I be permitted to solicit from thee something for it? It is designed for general circulation, & I shall spare...
12Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 17 December 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I was duly favored with thy obliging favor of last autumn , & immediately sent the Gazetteer as directed. Did it arrive safe? & how dost thou like it? But, this is only a minor cause of my writing at this time, though I confess myself anxious to learn thy opinion of my Work. I am tired of this unceasing jargon of politics, with which I am surrounded, this warring of principle against no...
13Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 24 February 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
My attention is called, by an old man of about 70 years, to a wish of his that 2 volumes of his writings may be submitted to thy examination. Doct. Williams has written the History of Vermont , in 2 8vo. volumes, & very naturally thinks that he has written very well. He is anxious to learn thy opinion of that Work; or at least to have it read by thee. The Doctor writes & thinks & feels like an...
14Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 24 September 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Could I make thee fully sensible of the sentiments of esteem, & a regard almost reverential, with which I feel impressed on taking my pen to address thee, thou wouldest feel the more disposed either to receive my trifling communications with friendship, or to blame a degree of forwardness in my manner, not reconcilable with propriety, unless on the score of sentiments of good-will, & an ardent...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Horatio Gates Spafford, 8 April 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
To save the trouble, let thy clerk, or some young man say whether I can send thee a 3 dollar octavo volume by mail, 620 pages, post free, & if not how I can send it? I have just published a Gazette & Geography of the State of New York, which I want thee to see. There are many things, incidentally said, besides mere topographical details, intended to counteract injurious tendencies in our young...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Horatio Gates Spafford, 28 October 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to much of a Virginian, & to friendly to the great design on which thou art bestowing thy talents, in the evening of a most illustrious & useful life, that I beg leave to present, for the Library of the Central College, the little Book sent herewith. Though perfectly aware of its dimmintive size, too small for a token of the Author’s regard, especially when offered to such a man as thee,...
17Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 28 February 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me again to recall thy recollection to the poor old literary drudge, who has constantly experienced the kindness of thy regard, & no small share of the ‘ Calamities of Authors . ’ After devoting 3 years to my new Lands in the Western part of Pennsylvania , expending as many thousand dollars, raising their value from 50 cents to 3 dollars an acre, an unfortunate difficulty about the...
18Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 30 March 1814, with Postscript 7 April 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Thy very interesting Letter of the 17th instant came duly to hand, & will form a kind of guide to my future life. Those sentiments were my own, except that in relation to the Lawyers, I was not informed of a possible cause, having read very little Law or Lawyers’ books. I hope I have an implied permission to show the Letter to some friends, for I have done so already. Ere this can reach thee,...
19Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 5 April 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Thy evening of life is an object of general concern, amongst all those who are attached to Republican principles. I would not lightly obtrude upon its repose—for I feel towards thee a veneration I have never known towards any other person. But I desire permission to say, confidentially, that I have in contemplation, should I survive thee, to write a History of thy Life, on a scale of brevity,...
20Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 25 December 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose to thee a long Paper, which I wish to have thee read, & to favor me with thy suggestions on any amendment or alteration. I wish to learn thy opinion of the propriety of the sentiments, & whether or not it may be well to publish them now. It was intended for the Dec. & Jan. Nos. of my Magazine, but I have concluded to delay it till January. Please have the goodness to enclose the...