2601Thomas Jefferson to John B. Colvin, 8 April 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the historical work you have been so kind as to send me. but to give the precise opinion on it which you ask, is not very easy. History is one of those branches of science which different persons will pursue to greater or less extent in proportion to their views and opportunities. those of higher aims will resort to the original authors that nothing known to others may be...
2602Thomas Jefferson to Charles Willson Peale, 24 December 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved in October a letter from mr M c Ilhenny whom you were so kind as to recommend as a watchmaker, informing me he would come on to establish himself at Charlottesville as soon as he could hear from me. I was just about setting out on a journey to Bedford , and answered him therefore by advising him to postpone his coming till my return. he did so, and arrived in Charlottesville by the...
2603Thomas Jefferson to Charles W. Goldsborough, 9 February 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the information of your letter of Jan. 19. on the subject of the newly improved looms; but the extent of my manufactures is merely the cloathing my family which employs two common looms with the flying shuttle. I had indeed been much pleased with the beauty of the operation of Janes ’s loom, which was exhibited, by the purchaser of his patent right for this state , at our...
2604Thomas Jefferson to Richard Rush, 11 July 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of June 27. and in that mine of Jan. 21 1812. I pray you to present my high respects to mrs Rush your mother, and my thanks for the trouble she has been so kind as to take in searching for the two letters specified in my former one , as well as to your brother . I have no doubt that those two letters were of the number of those which mrs Rush mentions to have...
2605Thomas Jefferson to François André Michaux, 15 April 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of Aug. 10. and, with it, your beautiful account of the pines & firs of our country, for which be pleased to accept my thanks. I sincerely wish the work may be prosecuted, & that the citizens of the US. may not be wanting in due encouragement to it. nothing should be spared which I could do to befriend it. accept my best wishes that you may enjoy health to...
2606Thomas Jefferson to Marcus Dyson, 19 May 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 6 th is r ecieved, and I am sorry to say I am not able to answer your chemical enquiries with satisfaction. the antient chemistry was in possession of the schools when I was a student in them, and when that was reformed by the nomenclature of Morveau , and the theories of Lavoisier , I had become too much engaged in public affairs and the practical business of life, to...
2607Thomas Jefferson to James L. Jefferson, 19 August 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
It was at the President’s in Orange that I recieved your brother ’s letter requesting me to be at the next Buckingham court to give evidence on your father ’s will . it came to hand the Sunday evening & the next day was that of the court. time and distance therefore rendered my attendance impossible. I set out for Bedford tomorrow morning and shall be there to the 1 st of October.
2608Thomas Jefferson to John Devereux DeLacy, 10 April 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Mar. 4. is just now recieved, and I should be glad to render to mr Fulton any service in my power. of the prospect of utility from the establishment of a steam boat on the Patomac , he is a better judge than I am. James river , from Norfolk to Richmond is offers the only other establishment occurring to me in this state which could be profitable. but my interior situation, on an...
2609Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 11 [May] 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Girardin , who will have the honor of presenting you this letter, revisits his native country after a residence of 20. years in this his country by adoption. he will consider this relation as placing him under your protection, of which he is entirely worthy. a residence of some years in my neighborhood enables me to assure you that he is a gentleman of science, of worth, and perfect...
2610Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 21 May 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you, my dear Francis , a Greek grammar , the best I know for the use of schools. it is the one now most generally used in the United States . I expect you will begin it soon after your arrival at the New London academy . you might, while at home, amuse yourself with learning the letters, and spelling and reading the Greek words, so that you may not be stopped by that when mr Mitchell...
2611Thomas Jefferson to Theodorus Bailey and David Gelston, 9 April 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I have written to a mr Ebenezer Herrick of West Stockbridge Mass. for a Spinning machine of his invention which he writes me he can more handily send to N. York than to any other port. I have taken the liberty to say to him that if he will commit it to you, you will be so kind as to have it embarked on board some vessel bound to Richmond . should any expence attend this, messieurs Gibson and...
2612Thomas Jefferson to Jeremiah A. Goodman, 10 October 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
A fall which I got from my horse a fortnight ago by the breaking of a girth, & by which I have recieved considerable hurt inwardly, will prevent my being with you by the middle of the month as I had intended. the external swelling is subsiding, but very slowly, so as to render the time when I may venture to travel uncertain. in the mean time Chisolm will proceed to do the plaistering of the...
2613Thomas Jefferson to Louis H. Girardin, 27 March 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I return your 14 th Chapter with only 2. or 3. unimportant alterations as usual, and with a note suggested , of doubtful admissibility. I believe it would be acceptable to the reader of every nation except England , and I do not suppose that, even without it, your book will be a popular one there. however you will decide for yourself. As to what is to be said of myself, I of course am not the...
2614Thomas Jefferson to Jeremiah A. Goodman and Nimrod Darnil, 31 January 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Be pleased to deliver to mr Samuel J. Harrison my crop of tobacco of the last year now on hand, as fast as it is inspected. lose no time in getting it ready, and spare no pains in handling it in the best manner, stemming conscientiously what you would have stemmed exactly had it still been kept on hand for sale PoC ( MHi ); dateline at foot of text; on verso of PoC of covering letter. Not...
2615Thomas Jefferson to John Harvie, 10 February 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of Jan. 1. and 12. are both recieved. mine of Dec. 28. had been written with a view to state on paper what was supposed to be agreed between us, & to invite a corresponding statement from yourself, that we might see if we understood one another. I suppose I have been unfortunate in the choice of terms used in my letter, because I find doubts still in your mind which that was...
2616Thomas Jefferson to John A. Morton, 9 April 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
My friend Gen l Kosciuzko , now established at Paris , or rather at or near Fontainebleau , depends for his subsistence chiefly on the produce of stock which he has in our funds and banks. we have occasion to remit him, about this season annually, somewhere about 1000.D. the superintendence of this he left with me, and I have committed to mr John Barnes of George town the immediate care of...
2617Thomas Jefferson to the Convention of Bristol County, Rhode Island, 29 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The reciept of your friendly address in the last moments of the session of Congress , will, I trust, offer a just apology for it’s late acknolegement. We have certainly cause to rejoice that since the waves of affliction & peril, raised from the storm of war by the rival belligerents of Europe , have undulated on our shores, the councils of the nation have been able to preserve it from the...
2618Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 10 September 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I regret much that I was so late in consulting you on the subject of the academy we wish to establish here. the progress of that business has obliged me to prepare and address to the President of the board of trustees , a plan for it’s organisation. I send you a copy of it with a broad margin, that, if your answer to mine of Aug. 25. be not on the way, you may be so good as to write your...
2619Thomas Jefferson to Wilson J. Cary, 28 July 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Your servant, with 4. lambs for mr Cocke , will recieve a 5 th for yourself. it is the second best of the 5. mr Cocke’s are from his own ewes, the one destined for you is from mine, the best I had except one. one of your ewes proved to be with lamb when she came; the other missed altogether. the two last merino ewes I recieved brought the scab into my flock, & I lost several. I tried mercurial...
2620Thomas Jefferson to Pierre Samuel Du Pont de Nemours, 28 June 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The interruption of our commerce with England , produced by our embargo & non-intercourse law, & the general indignation excited by her bare-faced attempts to make us accessories & tributories to her usurpations on the high seas, have generated in this country an universal spirit of manufacturing for ourselves, & of reducing to a minimum the number of articles for which we are dependant on...
2621Thomas Jefferson to Nicolas G. Dufief, 24 June 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of M. Dufief to send him the books noted below, always bearing in mind the Weekly mission in small parcels for the ease of the mail: and also to note to him the prices that he may make his remittances at convenient intervals. Tull’s horsehoeing husbandry, an old book in 8 vo Young’s Experiments in Agriculture. (I think it is in 3. vols. 8 vo ) Memoirs of Theophilus...
2622Thomas Jefferson to Jeremiah A. Goodman, 22 December 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Dick , Solomon and Philip are permitted to go and see their friends, and in returning will help to bring the hogs and beeves. I am in hopes you have procured the beds and given them to the women. in giving out their clothes I forgot the article of hats, which I give every other year; but as it will be more convenient to give about half one year and half another, we will give to the men only,...
2623Thomas Jefferson to Richard Barry, 3 April 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 18 th of March , since that I begin to get the produce of the year to market, and now inclose you of the first proceeds one hundred dollars. within a few days I shall direct mr Jefferson to forward you another hundred. the balance which will be about 75. shall come in towards the close of the season, when all is at market. wishing you every happiness I shall feel a...
2624Conveyance of Thomas Jefferson’s Lot in Richmond to David Higginbotham, November 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
This indenture made on the day of Nov r one Thousand eight hundred and eleven between Thomas Jefferson of the one part and David Higginbotham of the other; both of the County of Albermarle witnesseth that the said Thomas in consideration of the sum of one hundred and thirty pounds currant money of Virginia to him in hand paid by the said David, hath given granted bargained & sold unto the said...
2625Thomas Jefferson to Joseph C. Cabell, 23 December 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
A petition has been presented to our present legislature by a Cap t Joseph Miller , praying a confirmation of the will of his half brother Thomas Reed who died not long since at Norfolk possessed of lands and slaves which he devised to his half brothers and sisters then living in England . this one bought up the shares of the whole and came over to reside here as a citizen. he arrived after...
2626Thomas Jefferson to José Corrêa da Serra, 19 April 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Randolph first, and latterly mr Short have flattered me with the hope that you would pay us a visit with the returning season. I should sooner have pressed this but that my vernal visit to Bedfor d was approaching, and I wished to fix it’s precise epoch, before I should write to you. I shall set out now within a few days, and be absent probably all the month of May; and shall be very happy...
2627Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 29 February 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
As the outer letter may be to go into different hands I place in a separate one my thanks for your kind offer of the comfortable quarters of your house in the event of my acting as a Director of the public works. but at the age of 73. volunteer journies are out of the question. those to Bedford are of necessity. for them however I chuse my own time, am there with one or two nights only...
2628Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 30 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 19 th came to hand by the last post; but that allows us so little time that I could not answer by it’s return. I had not before heard of mr Latrobe’s claim of Lenthall’s salary in addition to his own. that some of Lenthall’s duties must have fallen on him I have no doubt; but that he could have performed them all in addition to his own so as to entitle himself to his whole salary,...
2629Thomas Jefferson to William Jenkings, 1 July 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
When you spoke with me at Washington , on the sale of my lands at the Natural bridge , the proposition was new, & I wished to consider of it. on reflection I find that it is a dead capital in my hands, that it in other hands it may be useful to the owner & the public. I am therefore willing to sell it. with respect to price, you said you supposed it worth as much as the adjacent tract which...
2630Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 22 July 1811 [document added in digital edition] (Jefferson Papers)
I must ask the favor of you to send me by return of post 200.D. I drew on you the 20 th inst. for 91. D 34 C in favor of Robert Rives . I leave to your judgment whether it would not be better to sell the good hogsheads of my tob o separately. we think th e re must be three of them of good quality, that is to say the last, and two of the former parcel judged here to be perfectly equal in order...
2631Thomas Jefferson’s Lease Agreement with William Johnson, 17 January 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
It is agreed between Thomas Jefferson and William Johnson that the said Thomas shall permit the sd William to occupy during this present year 1811. the tenement below Milton which he has occupied for some years, in lease, for which he shall pay the sd Thomas a rent of sixty dollars on the last day of the year; and that the land shall be divided into three equal shifts, of which one shall not...
2632Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on Winter Vegetable Needs, 28 November 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Turneps 10. bush. Carrots 3 Salsafia 3 Beets 2 parsnips 2 Celery wrote for to mrs Lewis Nov. 28. 09. we found the above not to be half a provision for the winter. it shoul d
2633Thomas Jefferson’s Plea in Livingston v. Jefferson on Ground of Jurisdiction, [ca. 28 February 1811] (Jefferson Papers)
Jefferson—dft } ads In trespass.— Livingston plt. And the said defendant by George Hay William Wirt and Littleton Waller Tazewell his attornies in his proper person comes and defends the force and injury &c and saith that the said plaintiff ought not to have or maintain his said action thereof against him because he saith that the messuage or dwelling house & close or parcel of land being a...
2634Thomas Jefferson’s Motion to Dismiss Livingston v. Jefferson, [ca. 28 February 1811] (Jefferson Papers)
Jefferson } Demurrer In Bar. ads Livingston And the said Thomas by his attorney comes & defends the force and injury &c, as to the second, fifth, sixth, seventh & eighth counts of the said declaration, he the said Thomas saith, that the same, & the matters therein contained, are not sufficient in law, for the said Edward to maintain his action aforesaid, against him the said Thomas had; to...
2635Thomas Jefferson’s Plea in Livingston v. Jefferson on Ground of Acting Officially, [ca. 28 February 1811] (Jefferson Papers)
And the said Thomas according to the Statute in Such case made and provided, and by leave of the Court, for further plea in this behalf Saith, that as to the force and arms and as to the breaking in pieces and Cutting in pieces and destroying of the goods and chattels of the said Edward , either by the said Thomas himself or by his Servants, and as to the digging and raising or causing to be...
2636Deposition by James Lewis, with Queries Posed by Thomas Jefferson and David Michie, 1 July 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
Albemarle County to wit— The deposition of James Lewis taken at the house of John Watson in the town of Milton which is agreed between David Michie and Thomas Jefferson on the 1 t of July 1812 shall have the same effect in any subsequent difference or litigation as if it had been taken in perpetual memorial of the testimony of the said Lewis by a bill in Chancery exhibited by the said Jefferson
2637Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on his Library at the Time of Sale, [by 18 April 1815] (Summary) (Jefferson Papers)
[ Ed. Note : TJ probably began preparing these notes after receiving his library catalogue back from Samuel H. Smith on or about 16 Mar. 1815. Work on it was well advanced by 28 Mar., and he completed it no later than 18 Apr. 1815 ( Smith to TJ, 11 Mar. 1815 ; TJ to Joseph Milligan, 28 Mar. 1815 ; TJ to Alexander J. Dallas, 18 Apr. 1815 ). The notes consist of four sections: (1) “Additions to...
2638Enclosure: Thomas Jefferson’s Abstract of Marriage Settlement of John Paradise and Lucy Ludwell Paradise, [after 10 May … (Jefferson Papers)
Extracts from marriage settlement. Parties Date. May 10. 1769. Parties John Paradise esq. son of Peter Paradise 1 st part. Peter Paradise 2 d part. Lucy Ludwell 3 d part.
2639Notes by Thomas Jefferson Randolph and Thomas Jefferson on a Land Purchase, [ca. January 1817] (Jefferson Papers)
The lots of Lucy Nancy & Frances below the town at $25 per acre Lucys lot N o 1 between the town & the river at the same The three lots in the upper field at $20 per acre The ends of lots N o 3.4.5 to be back lots
2640Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 17 May 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I present to you mr Rives , the bearer of this, an eleve of mine in law and politics. he is able, learned, honest, & orthodox in his principles. being just about to enter on the stage of public life he wishes first to see something more of our country at large. he will be one of the distinguished men of our state , & of the United States . in taking him by the hand while in Boston you will...
2641Thomas Jefferson to John Langdon, 17 May 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I present to you mr Rives , an eleve of mine in law and politics: honest, able, learned, & true in the holy republican gospel. bestow on him your native kindness, not only for the gratification of your own benevolent dispositions, but to shew him the degree of estimation in which you hold your RC ( DLC : William C. Rives Papers); addressed: “The honorable John Langdon Portsmouth by mr Rives.”...
2642Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 18 May 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by mr Rives a young gentleman of this state and my neighborhood. he is an eleve of mine in law, of uncommon abilities, learning and worth. when you and I shall be at rest with our friends of 1776. he will be in the zenith of his fame and usefulness. before entering on his public career he wishes to visit our sister states and would not concieve he had seen any thing of...
2643Thomas Jefferson to the Republicans of Washington County, Maryland, 31 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The affectionate sentiments you express on my retirement from the high office conferred on me by my country, are gratefully recieved, & acknoleged with thankfulness. your approbation of the various measures which have been pursued, cannot but be highly consolatory to myself, & encouraging to future functionaries, who will see that their honest endeavors for the public good will recieve due...
2644Thomas Jefferson to Paul Hamilton, 22 October 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, mr Beverly Roy Scott being desirous of entering the Naval service as a Midshipman, wishes it to be made known to you, and the grounds on which he presents himself for your favor. he is not personally known to me, altho’ his family is, which is respectable and wealthy: and he brings me a letter of recommendation from a friend whose correctness is such as satisfies me he would...
2645Thomas Jefferson to Henry Jackson, 31 January 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 16 th inst. I took the liberty, thro’ the office of the Secretary of State , of asking a second time your care of a letter to mr Ticknor . ten days after that I received your favor of Nov. 9. I am very thankful for the kind dispositions it expresses towards myself, and can assure you that the approbation of the wise and worthy is truly a pillow of down to an aged head. a direct...
2646Warrant for Restitution of Land Seized by David Michie, 30 July 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
Albemarle county to wit John Watson and David J Lewis justices of the peace for the sd county, to the Sheriff thereof greeting. Whereas by an inquisition taken before us on the lands between the town of Milton and the Rivanna river heretofore held by Elizabeth Henderson widow, and John ,
2647Thomas Jefferson to John F. Watson, 2 June 1816, with John F. Watson’s Receipt to Thomas Jefferson, 7 June 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I had recieved the 9 th vol. of the Edinb. Review some days ago, and yesterday the 10 th came to hand, with your favor of May 27 24 . and in compliance with that I now inclose you a 5. Dollar note of the bank of Virginia , and salute you with esteem and respect. Rec d Germantown June 7. 1816 from
2648Joel Yancey‘s Promissory Note to Charles Clay on Behalf of Thomas Jefferson, 3 October 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
for value received I I promise to pay or cause to be paid unto Charles Clay h is executors, administrators or assigns, on or before the first day of Dec. 181 5 the just and full sum of Ninety Seven Doll. Seventy five Cents current money of U. States
2649Thomas Jefferson to Mary Lewis, 25 December 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
The news of the embargo reached me yesterday. this rendering the hope of getting money for our crop more than doubtful, makes it necessary to avoid new money engagements. I am therefore obliged to decline taking the cask of your good old brandy which you were so kind as to offer. the same circumstance affects deeply the question on which you consulted me, whether you ought to take 3/9 for your...
2650Thomas Jefferson to Samuel P. Parsons, 19 April 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Mar. 16. was recieved on the 12 th inst. only, & the corn-drill arrived at the same time by a boat. possessing already one of Martin’s drills, this will be returned in the same way it came. for this reason as well as because you ask my opinion, I shall go into explanations. your’s came without the pieces which go into the 3. mortises having chains appended to them: but I presume...