From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, [25 November 1800]
To Thomas Mann Randolph
mr Madison’s Tuesday morng. [25 Nov. 1800]
Th:J to TMR.
I ought to have brought with me my catalogue of books, but forgot it. it is necessary for me in making out a catalogue for Congress at the desire of their joint commee. it is lying I believe either on the table in my book room, or under the window by the red couch in the Cabinet. will you be so good as to send it to me by return of post, well wrapped & sealed up in strong paper. direct it to me at Washington on Patomac.
Mr. Trist’s information as to the Pensva legislature was not quite exact. the lower house past a bill, which the upper rejected at once. the two houses are decisively pitted against each other. a majority of two Federalists in the upper. Adieu affectionately
RC (DLC); endorsed by Randolph as a letter of 25 Nov. 1800 received on the 27th. Not recorded in SJL.
Catalogue for congress: on 25 Apr. the House of Representatives resolved to establish a joint committee “for the purpose of making out a catalogue of books, and adopting the best mode of procuring a Library, at the City of Washington,” as recommended in Section 5 of the law providing for the removal and accommodation of the government, enacted the previous day. A sum of $5,000 was appropriated for the project. Robert Waln of Pennsylvania and Thomas Evans and Levin Powell of Virginia were appointed by the House to serve on the committee. The Senate agreed to the resolution on 28 Apr. and appointed Samuel Dexter, William Bingham, and Wilson Cary Nicholas to serve ( 10:684; , 3:682–3; , 3:81; , 2:55–6).