1Thomas Jefferson to Samuel H. Smith, 8 May 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
Our 10 th and last waggon load of books goes off to-day. this closes the transaction here, and I cannot permit it to close without returning my thanks to you who began it. this I sincerely do for the trouble you have taken in it. when I first proposed to you to make the overture to the library committee, I thought that the only trouble you would have had, that they would have said yea, or nay...
2Thomas Jefferson to Samuel H. Smith, 27 February 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 14 th 15 th was 8. days on it’s way, and this goes by the first return mail. with respect to the Treasury notes, they of course should not be made out until the library is delivered, or ready to be delivered. when this takes place, I will take the liberty of specifying my wishes as to the notes. as soon as I recieve the Catalogue, I will set about revising and arranging the...
3Thomas Jefferson to Samuel H. Smith, 30 January 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
Presuming that my Catalogue has by this time answered all the purposes of information as to the contents of my library, and needing it almost daily myself, I will ask the favor of it’s return; but only in the case of it’s being no longer useful to the Committee . I propose, on recieving it, to commence the task of reducing the whole mass exactly to the arrangement of the Catalogue, some...
4Thomas Jefferson to Samuel H. Smith, 29 October 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of the 19 th and 21 st were recieved by our mail of the day before yesterday. presuming that the proposition in my letter of Sep. 21. was not sufficiently explained, I will state more particularly the course I had supposed the transaction would have taken. the proposition was that the books should be valued by persons named by the committee themselves, and the payment made in...
5Thomas Jefferson to Samuel H. Smith, 11 October 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
In the letter which accompanied my catalogue I promised an Alphabetical Index of Author’s names referring to the chapters of the catalogue in which the titles of their works would be found at large. I have just finished & now inclose it. mr Millegan will be so good as to stitch it in at the end of the catalogue, the paper being of the same format. My affairs at a distant possession (in Bedford...
6Thomas Jefferson to Samuel H. Smith, 21 September 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I am imposing a task on your friendship which needs much apology, and will be explained in the letter accompanying this. it is to offer my library to the library committee of Congress . I would not have trespassed on your time so much, but that I hope it will give you little trouble. the delivery of the accompanying letter (which is written separately with that view) and the Catalogue will...
7Thomas Jefferson to Samuel H. Smith, 21 September 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I learn from the Newspapers that the Vandalism of our enemy has triumphed at Washington over science as well as the Arts, by the destruction of the public library with the noble edifice in which it was deposited. of this transaction, as of that of Copenhagen , the world will entertain but one sentiment. they will see a nation suddenly withdrawn from a great war, full armed and full handed,...
8Thomas Jefferson to Samuel H. Smith, 23 August 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Sam l H. Smith , & his thanks for the oration he has been so kind as to send him. he has read it with great pleasure, and sympathises in all it’s sentiments sincerely, one excepted, respecting the exhausting our resources on a navy. our strength is on the land, & weakness on the water. our enemies’ strength is on the water, at land nothing. and...
9Thomas Jefferson to Samuel H. Smith, 15 August 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Altho’ sollicitation for appointment is generally an irksome office, it is rendered the less so on in the present instance by the occasion it furnishes of addressing you after so long an interval. first then as to the direct object. Joseph Dougherty , who lived with me 8. years in Washington rather as a riding agent than as the head of my stable, informs me you are appointed Commissioner of...
10Thomas Jefferson to Samuel H. Smith, 6 August 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter from D r Barton to myself, with a note from him expressing a wish it might appear in your paper; which wish he repeated verbally in a visit he paid me lately. as there seems to be a dearth of news at present, perhaps it may be as acceptable to your readers as any thing else: but of this you are to judge for yourself. I am in arrears with you for the last year. if you...