1To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 9 March 1770 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you some nectarine and apricot graffs and grapevines, the best I had; and have directed your messenger to call upon Major Taliaferro for some of his. You will also receive two of Foulis’s catalogues. Mrs. Wythe will send you some garden peas. You bear your misfortune so becomingly, that, as I am convinced you will surmount the difficulties it has plunged you into, so I foresee you will...
2To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 5 April 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
I do not know that the terms on which the crown engaged to grant the lands in Virginia are contained in any other charter than that by Car. ii. the 10. of Oct. 28 of his reign. The original, I believe although the seal is not now to it, I found in my office; and I understand it is recorded in the Secretary’s office. A copy of it I now inclose to be sent by the first opportunity. In the mean...
3To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 6 April 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my letter of yesterday, I have looked cursorily over all the charters in my office. Of those sent by Mr. Montagu the three which seem to concern the matter you are considering are the same that are in the appendix to Mr. Stith’s history and the other which is all that I have of them besides is an ordinance relating to the appointment of a council in England for the affairs of the colony....
4From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, [June? 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
The dignity and stability of government in all its branches, the morals of the people, and every blessing of society, depend so much upon an upright and skilful administration of justice, that the judicial power ought to be distinct from both the legislative and executive, and independent upon both, that so it may be a check upon both, as both should be checks upon that. The judges, therefore,...
5To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 27 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Lord Dunmore, driven from Gwins, retreated to St. George’s island in Potowmack, a station we hear he found no less unquiet than what he left, so that he hath gone up that river, distressed, it is imagined for want of water. Ought the precept, ‘if thine enemy thirst give him drink,’ to be observed towards such a fiend, and in such a war? Our countrymen will probably decide in the negative; and...
6To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 28 October 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 18th instant , by some accident or other, did not come to hand before it was too late to answer it by this days post. Make use of the house and furniture. I shall be happy if any thing of mine can contribute to make your and Mrs. Jefferson’s residence in Williamsburg comfortable. Adieu. RC ( DLC ). TJ’s letter of the 18th instant is missing. It must have contained a request...
7To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 11 November 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
The resolutions describing treasons are inclosed. The report for ascertaining the value of coins , &c. remains in the same state of repose as you left it in, among several others that are, as the president says, not acted upon. I gave Col. Harrison an extract of that part of your letter which related to him, and asked him what answer I should make? He told me he would do what you desired so...
8To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 18 November 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Whenever you and the speaker think I should return to Virginia to engage in the part which shall be assigned to me in revising the laws , I shall attend you. As to the time and place of meeting and my share in this work, I can accommodate myself to the appointment, and be content with the allotment my colleagues shall make. In the mean time, I purpose to abide here, if the enemy do not drive...
9From Thomas Jefferson to George Rogers Clark, 3 January 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
As some Indian Tribes, to the westward of the Missisippi have lately, without any provocation, massacred many of the Inhabitants upon the Frontiers of this Commonwealth, in the most cruel and barbarous Manner, and it is intended to revenge the Injury and punish the Aggressors by carrying the War into their own Country. We congratulate You upon your Appointment to conduct so important an...
10From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, 1 November 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
I have got thro’ the bill ‘for proportioning crimes and punishments in cases heretofore capital,’ and now inclose it to you with a request that you will be so good as scrupulously to examine and correct it, that it may be presented to our committee with as few defects as possible. In it’s style I have aimed at accuracy, brevity and simplicity, preserving however the very words of the...