Thomas Jefferson Papers
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Thomas Jefferson to John Sanderson, 31 August 1820

To John Sanderson

Monticello Aug. 31. 20.

Sir

Your letter of the 19th was recieved in due time, and I wish it were in my power to furnish you more fully, than in the inclosed paper, with materials for the biography of George Wythe. but I possess none in writing, am very distant from the place of his birth and early life, and know not a single person in that quarter from whom enquiry could be made with the expectation of collecting any thing material. add to this that feeble health disables me almost from writing, and entirely from the labor of going into difficult research. I became acquainted with mr Wythe when he was about 35. years of age. he directed my studies in the law, led me into business, and continued until death my most affectionate friend. a close intimacy with him during that period of forty odd years, the most important of his life, enables me to state it’s leading facts, which being of my own knolege, I vouch their truth. of what precedes that period I speak from hearsay only, in which there may be error, but of little account, as the character of the facts will themselves manifest. in the epoch of his birth I may err a little, stating that from the recollection of a particular incident, the date of which, within a year or two, I do not distinctly remember. these scanty outlines you will be able I hope, to fill up from other information, and they may serve you sometimes as landmarks to distinguish truth from error, in what you hear from others. the exalted virtue of the man will also be a polar star to guide you in all matters which may touch that element of his character. but on that you will recieve imputation from no man; for, as far as I knew, he never had an enemy.1

Little as I am able to contribute to the just reputation of this excellent man, it is the act of my life most gratifying to my heart: & leaves me only to regret that a waining memory can do no more.

Of mr Hancock I can say nothing, having known him only as in the chair of Congress. having myself been the youngest man, but one, in that body, the disparity of age prevented any particular intimacy. but of him there can be no difficulty in obtaining full information in the North.

I salute you, Sir, with sentiments of great respect.

Th: Jefferson

RC (ICN: Thomas Jefferson Letters); addressed: “Mr John Sanderson Philadelphia”; franked; postmarked Charlottesville, 5 Sept.; endorsed by Joseph M. Sanderson. PoC (DLC); edge trimmed. Enclosure: TJ’s Notes for a Biography of George Wythe, [ca. 31 Aug. 1820].

Edward Rutledge (1749–1800) was the only one in the Second Continental Congress younger than TJ during his tenure, 1775–76 (ANB description begins John A. Garraty and Mark C. Carnes, eds., American National Biography, 1999, 24 vols. description ends ).

1Omitted period supplied from PoC.

Index Entries

  • Biography of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence (J. Sanderson) search
  • books; biographical search
  • Continental Congress, Second; TJ as member of search
  • Declaration of Independence; signers of search
  • Hancock, John; andBiography of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence (J. Sanderson) search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Correspondence; fatiguing or painful to search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Health; debility search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Public Service; in Continental Congress search
  • Rutledge, Edward; as member of Continental Congress search
  • Sanderson, John; Biography of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence search
  • Sanderson, John; letter to search
  • Sanderson, Joseph McClellan; endorses letter search
  • Wythe, George; andBiography of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence (J. Sanderson) search
  • Wythe, George; TJ on search