1To 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...
2From 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...
3To 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...
4To 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,...
5To 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...
6From 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...
7From 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...
8From 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...
9To 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...
10From 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...
11Chapman 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...
12James 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...
13Chapman 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...
14James 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...
15Chapman 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...
16James 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...
17James 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 &...
18James 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) .
19Chapman 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...
20Chapman 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...
21James 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...
22Chapman Johnson, to Governor John Floyd of Virginia to James Madison, 3 June 1833 (Madison Papers)
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...
23Thomas Jefferson to Chapman Johnson, 5 January 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I observe that a petition has been presented to the legislature by the Rivanna company for an enlargement of their powers. as these are to be exercised wholly within my lands & almost solely over my property, and have not hitherto been marked by a very tender forbearance from injury to me, it becomes necessary, while they ask for power, for me to ask for some just protection from it. mr Philip...
24Chapman Johnson to Thomas Jefferson, 9 January 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated the 5 th of this month , on the subject of a petition, presented to the Legislature, by the Rivanna Company —If that subject should come before the Senate, I will take pleasure, in investigating the facts, and in presenting them to the other members of our house, in their true character— RC ( MHi ); endorsed by TJ as received 13 Jan. 1813...
25Chapman Johnson to Thomas Jefferson, 10 June 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknowledge your’s of the 4 th , received this morning, and to promise you my attention, to the case of David Michie against yourself, depending in the Albemarle circuit Court ,— I was apprised of the application for a certiorari, during the sitting of the last court, and on the authority of your former letter, would have contested the propriety of granting it, if the application had...
26Chapman Johnson to Thomas Jefferson, 21 June 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
The last saturdays mail, brought me Your favor of the 16 th covering a statement of the proceedings on the writ of forcible entry and detainer , in the case bew between yourself and David Michie — Yours of the 4. had been previously received and answered;— My answer , which I suppose you have here received, gives you the ground on which I suppose that the supersedeas certiorari was awarded.
27Thomas Jefferson to Chapman Johnson, 7 November 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I was unwell during the last session of our district court , or I should have seen you there and delivered to you the inclosed for your kind assistance in the case of Michie’s Certiorari on the proceedings of forcible entry; and I was not without a hope that your business might have given you leisure to take a dinner or an evening with us which will always give me pleasure. I had a...
28Chapman Johnson to Thomas Jefferson, 16 November 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving your letter of the 7. by the last mail enclosing twenty dollars, my fee in the certiorari case of Michie , in the Albemarle Circuit court —. I was very sorry to hear that indisposition had deprived us of the pleasure of seeing you, at Charlotte’sville — I hope when at Charlottesville hereafter, I shall have it in my power, to avail my self of your polite...
29Thomas Jefferson to Chapman Johnson, 26 December 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
You have heretofore known something of jarrings between the Rivanna company and myself. certain claims of right, equal, & even paramount to my own, which they set up to my canal, and whi a work which has cost me 30,000.D. and which would render it’s value almost null to me, oblige me to bring a suit in chancery to quiet my title . I have prepared a bill , but cannot finish it until I can see...
30Chapman Johnson to Thomas Jefferson, 7 January 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving this morning, your letter, of the 26 h Dec r addressed to me, at Staunton , and the duplicate thereof, addressed to this place— In your suit in chancery, with the Rivanna company you may count on my Services as counsel, and so, according to your request, you may expect me to appear for You as counsel, in any cause, in which You may be concerned, within the range...