1From the Virginia Committee of Safety to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 17 June 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
The confusion which hath for some time happened amongst the People in the disputed Lands between Pennsylvania and this Colony, and a Representation to the Convention, that a Civil War, was like to be the consequence if something was not done to prevent it, Induced that Body to take the Subject into consideration, who were sorry to discover that a Jealousy seemed to prevail in the Governing...
2From Thomas Jefferson to the President of the Virginia Convention, 11 July 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
The continued sitting of Congress prevents us from attending our colony Convention: but, directed by a sense of duty, we transmit to the Convention such determinations of the Congress as they have directed to be made public. The papers speak for themselves, and require no comment from us. A petition to the king is already sent away, earnestly entreating the royal interposition to prevent the...
3From John Jay to Edmund Pendleton, 21 September 1779 (Jay Papers)
This morning I had Yesterday the Pleasure of rec g your Favor of the 8 th : Inst and am happy to find that my supplying our Friends absence by in the Instance alluded to ^ to, ^ no less acceptable to You than agreable me— In the Packet enclosed with this are two Copies of a circular Letter from Congress to their Constituents which you I imagine . We rec d
4From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Pendleton, [ca. 30 June 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
I this day received information that the Convention had been pleased to reappoint me to the office in which I have now the honor to be serving them and through you must beg leave to return them my sincere thanks for this mark of their continued confidence. I am sorry the situation of my domestic affairs renders it indispensably necessary that I should sollicit the substitution of some other...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Pendleton, 13 August 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Aug. 3. came to hand yesterday. Having had no moment to spare since, I am obliged to sit down to answer it at a Committee table while the Committee is collecting. My thoughts therefore on the subject you propose will be merely extempore. The opinion that our lands were allodial possessions is one which I have very long held, and had in my eye during a pretty considerable part of my...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Pendleton, 4 March 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Had it been predicted to you that you would receive a letter from me of this date you would probably have expected it would be from the other side the Atlantic. I had proceeded to Baltimore to embark on board the Romulus. The number of cruisers then off our capes deterred her from sailing. In the mean time I received a copy of the king’s speech, and wrote to submit to Congress a...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Pendleton, 26 August 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 10th. inst. came to hand about three days ago, the post having brought no mail with him the last week. You seem to have misapprehended my proposition for the choice of a Senate. I had two things in view: to get the wisest men chosen, and to make them perfectly independent when chosen. I have ever observed that a choice by the people themselves is not generally distinguished for...
8From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 7 February 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The cover is missing, but the contents of the letter permit no doubt that Pendleton was the recipient. The post has been very irregular for several weeks past & this week the Mail South of Annapolis has failed altogether; by which means I lose the pleasure of your alternate favor. A vessel from France informs us that the frigate freigted with the event at York had...
9From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 16 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I was very glad at not being disappointed in my expectations of a favor from you by yesterday’s post. Several reports in quick succession of the arrival & progress of the predatory band under Arnold had rendered us exceedingly anxious to hear the truth & particulars of the matter. Some letters by the post tell us that the Governor with Baron Steuben was wholly...
10From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 6 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Nat W. Pendleton, Wytheville, Va., 1961). Docketed by Edmund Pendleton, “James Madison Esqr. Aug. 6th. 1782.” I shall pay due attention to the request contained in your favor of the 29th. relative to the slave of your nephew. Should I however be so fortunate as to recover him, the price of slaves here leaves no hope that a purchaser will be found on the terms demanded. We have had several...