1James Madison to Chapman Johnson, 3 June 1833 (Madison Papers)
It has been suggested that the Govr. may wait for some regular notice of the Death of Genl. Breckenridge before he fills the vacancy occasioned by it. I hope this is not the case. He has all the evidence of the event, that is possessed by any of us; and beyond that of the Newspapers, better means of ascertaining it than I have. Perhaps it wd. not be inconvenient for you to learn his views of...
I have just received a letter from Mr. Madison, in which he says,— "It has been suggested that the governor may wait for Some regular notice of the death of Genl Breckinridge, before he fills the vacancy occasioned by it. I hope this is not the case—He has all the Evidence of the event possessed, by any of us,—and beyond That of the news papers, better means of ascertaining it, than I...
3Chapman Johnson to James Madison, 23 July 1831 (Madison Papers)
I returned from the university day before yesterday, the visitors having finished their business and separated, wednesday evening—We had a bare quorum only till friday, when the arrival of Mr. Cabell, who had been detained by indisposition gave us five members, Mr. Monroes successor, Genl. Brodnax, not being with us. We regreted your absence very much, and the more, as it was caused by...
4Chapman Johnson to James Madison, 15 August 1830 (Madison Papers)
Since I inclosed you an extract of a letter from Mr Leigh recommending Colo. de la Peña for the appointment of tutor in the school of Modern languages, I have received several other communications, on the subject of that appointment which I send you herewith– One is from Mr. Stanard very strongly recommending Colo. Colonna, an Italian gentleman now in Richmond. He has been residing there for a...
5James Madison to Chapman Johnson, 23 December 1829 (Madison Papers)
I inclose a copy of the paper which the Secy. to the Board of Visitors has furnished according to an instruction for the purpose. And I ask the favor of you, in case Mr. Cabell shd. have left Richmond to forward the one for him, with the proper direction FC (DLC) .
6James Madison to Chapman Johnson, 2 March 1829 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed is a copy of a Statement by the Faculty of the University, which prepared wth. a wish that it may be published in the Enquirer & Natl. Intelgr. I have forwarded a copy for the latter, and ask the favor of you to have the one inclosed handed to the Enquirer. Previous to this communication from the chairman I had recd. a letter from him, suggesting the Expediency of an inspection &...
7James Madison to Chapman Johnson, 10 August 1828 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 3d. instant was received yesterday and I forward to day to Doctr. Harrison, the authorized appointmt. noting therein its limited term, & the amount of compensation. You will have seen that Doctr. Patterson the Chair of Natural Philosophy. He makes a point of having the Pavilion left by Mr. Long, in which there will be no difficulty; and suggests for consideration, the expence of...
8Chapman Johnson to James Madison, 3 August 1828 (Madison Papers)
As soon as I arrived at home, I wrote to Doctor Harrison, on the subject of the professorship of antient languages. In consequence of it, he visited me last night, and is now with me. I have explained to him the wishes of the visitors upon the subject, particularly their desire that he should devote his whole time to the duties of the station, in order that he may maintain as much as possible...
9James Madison to Chapman Johnson, 1 May 1828 (Madison Papers)
On the rect. of your letter of the 21st. Ult: concurred in by Genl. Cocke, I wrote to Mr Laurence requesting him to ascertain and let us know as soon as possible, whether Mr Ritchie would accept the vacant Chair of Nat: Philo: if offered to him, and how soon he could enter on its duties. The letter probably leaves Phila. in a vessel sailing for London this day; and will be followed by a...
10Chapman Johnson to James Madison, 21 April 1828 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 24. March, accompanied, by the testimonials in favor of Mr. Ritchie and Mr. Dodd, was received, in the due course of mail; and I have been ever since expecting an opportunity to consult our brethren Mr. Cabell and gen: Cocke. Soon after receiving it, I learned that Mr. Cabell was in Washington, to remain there but a few days, and return through Richmond, on his way to...
11James Madison to Chapman Johnson, 24 March 1828 (Madison Papers)
Previous to the receipt of yours of the 8th. inst: I had recd. a letter from Mr. Lawrence our Chargè d’Affaires in London, from which it appeared that the enquiries instituted by Mr. Gallatin for a Professor of Nat: Philos:, were continued by him, but without such an assurance of success as I conceived ought to arrest the pursuit of a satisfactory appointment here; against which it was...
12Chapman Johnson to James Madison, 8 March 1828 (Madison Papers)
I hope you will pardon my delay in answering your letter of December 19th. when I tell you, that ever since its receipt, I have been in duress, by the labors of my office, and by those which neither belonged to my office, nor should have been admitted into it— I now return you the letter of Mr. Trist, on Mr. Walker’s subject—and proceed to perform a promise I made to Genl. Cocke, but which I...
13From James Madison to Chapman Johnson, 18 December 1827 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 15th inst: and thank you for your sympathies on the score of my health, which I have just recovered. I am glad you escaped the abortive trip to the University, the more so as the state of the weather might have endangered yours. The considerations which induced the decision agt. the proposal of Mr Harrison were certainly very cogent, particularly your personal...
14To James Madison from Chapman Johnson, 15 December 1827 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letter of the 9th. and am very sorry that my enquiries of Mr. Trist should have given you the trouble of writing; and am still more concerned to learn that you are indisposed. I sincerely hope your influenza and fever, have left you, and that you are restored to the enjoyment of good health. I received your communication on the subject of Mr. Harrison, and forwarded your...
15From James Madison to Chapman Johnson, 9 December 1827 (Madison Papers)
I have but this moment received from Mr. Trist your letter of the 3d. and catch a fugitive conveyance to the post office, to say that it will not be in my power to attend the meeting of Visitors at Charlottesville this week, being confined by influenza and fever which do not abate, and that I have so written to Genl. Cocke. Mr. Monroe not having been heard from, will certainly not be there. I...
16From James Madison to Chapman Johnson, 1 December 1827 (Madison Papers)
Mr Jesse B. Harrison of Lynchburg offers himself as Successor to Mr. Long, in the Professorship of Ancient languages; and if satisfied by the concurring opinions of the Visitors separately expressed that he may expect the appointment, intends to embark immediately for Germany at his own expence, in order to avail himself of the peculiar opportunities there afforded for improving his...
17From James Madison to Chapman Johnson, 4 November 1827 (Madison Papers)
Previous to the rect. of yours of the 29. Ult. I had requested Gen. Cocke unless Mr. Bonnycastle should hold out a flattering prospect of filling the Chair of N. Phil: from abroad, to notify at once the appt. of Docr. Jones. In consequence of your suggestion, I shall immediately desire him if not too late, to suspend the notification, till the answer of your Correspondent at New York shall...
18To James Madison from Chapman Johnson, 29 October 1827 (Madison Papers)
On my return home the other day I received a letter, from a freind in New York, mentioning Mr. James Renwick, at present professor of Nat. philosophy, in the college of Columbia, as a probable candidate for our vacant chair—and speaking of him in very high terms of commendation. Mr. Renwick does not wish to be regarded as a candidate, but his freind writes to obtain information to enable him...
19To James Madison from Chapman Johnson, 5 October 1827 (Madison Papers)
I have just received a communication from General Cocke, enclosing Mr. Shorts letters, on the subject of Doctr. Jones, also your letter with Mr. Browns and Mr. Bruces. I wrote to you a few days since, from this place, informing you, that doctr. Patterson had declined being a candidate to for the chair of Nat. Philosophy, in our University, and giving you an extract from his letter,...
20To James Madison from Chapman Johnson, 3 October 1827 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letter of the 24. September, communicating Mr. Longs wish to resign his office in the University, at the end of the present session. I feel disposed to act as liberally towards Mr. Long, on this occasion as our duty to the institution will allow; but I doubt whether we should be justified in giving an unconditional assent to his leaving us, at the end of the session. I am...
21From James Madison to Chapman Johnson, 29 March 1827 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 24th. In writing to Mr. Gallatin, I kept in view the shortness of time allowed him, and the necessity of not precluding us from the chance of finding a Successor to Mr. Key in our own Country. It is possible tho.’ barely so, that he may present us an acceptable offer, and hear from us in time to give it effect, by the 1st. of Sepr. But, on the contrary...
22To James Madison from Chapman Johnson, 24 March 1827 (Madison Papers)
I am exceedingly sorry to learn, from your letter of the 18. that mr. Key has availed himself of our indulgence and resigned his place in the University. I see no serious objection to the permission which he asks to continue in office till the middle of August. It would certainly not be proper that he should vacate his seat till the 20. July—when the examination will be over, and the interval...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Chapman Johnson, 26 January 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your circular, on the subject of the law professor has been received, and we have had a meeting to consider what ought to be done. The continued ill health of M r Gilmer is very much to be lamented, and we deeply deplore the prospect of his loss, in the University and his country— We are very sensible of the importance of filling the vacant chair, as soon as possible, but think that a meeting...
24From Thomas Jefferson to Chapman Johnson, 22 January 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of the day before yesterday I committed a quid pro quo which just now occurs to me and must be corrected. I had before me the Riot act 1786. c. 142. and the Gaming act c. 147. §. 28 in the 1 st Rev. Code 536 and 590. in the designation I named the former instead of the latter. of the Riot act we already have the use. but it is the 28 th § of the Gaming act of which no use can be...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Chapman Johnson, 10 December 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
It is my duty to apologise to you and the visitors who will be with you on monday next, for n o attending their meeting—It is a subject of great regret and s ome mortification to me. Though my duties here, are pressing and important, I would have dispensed with them, if by attending your meeting, I could have hoped to fulfil the objects for which it was appointed —But under existing...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Chapman Johnson, 10 August 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 4 th was received yesterday, and I hasten to answer it— I am glad, that we have it in our power to return to our first choice of a law professor—and very chearfully give my consent to the reappointment of M r Gilmer. You will probably find, that it will be agreeable to him, not to commence the duties of his office, for some months—His ill health since his return from Europe,...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Chapman Johnson, 26 May 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 13 th received yesterday, on my return from Lynchburg, imposes on me a very unpleasant duty— I have been acquainted with judge Dade, for ten or fifteen years, and for a part of that time very intimately—We have been actors on the same theatre, and have been together. under circumstances, which have produced a strong, and I hope durable friendship between us—Not to concur,...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Chapman Johnson, 23 April 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to thank you, for your letter of the 15 th inclosing a copy of the rules for the government of the University—I am glad to hear that they are approved, and I hope they will be found useful—My leisure has not been sufficient to examine them with attention—but most of them, at first view, appear to me judicious— The proposition to purchase Perrys land, I would advocate with much interest,...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Chapman Johnson, 12 April 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your letter of the 9 th in which you propose to make absolute, the provisional instruction to our agent, for employment of the anatomical professor—I am very sensible of the advantages which the present occasion offers, for the engagement of this professor, and I am very desirous to have him in place, without unnecessary delay—But I fear it is not safe to venture in the expense...
30Chapman Johnson to Thomas Jefferson, 29 March 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very sorry that it is not in my power to be with you, at the meeting of the visitors , on monday next; I am unexpectedly spancelled , in a criminal prosecution here, from which I cannot be released— M r Cabell , however, who does me the favor to carry you this letter, will be able to give you more information than I should, as to the proceedings of the legislature and the temper of the...