1Thomas Cooper’s Order on Alexander Garrett, 20 October 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
Please to pay to my order, at the Bank of Virginia in Richmond , on the first day of January 1821 , Seven hundred and fifty dollars, being the remaining portion of the sum of fifteen hundred dollars, allowed me as Professor, by the Visitors of the University of Virginia at Charlottesville . MS ( ViU: TJP-PP ); in Cooper ’s hand, with notations in other hands as indicated; at foot of text in...
2Enclosure: Thomas Cooper’s Order on Alexander Garrett, [by 3 March 1820] (Jefferson Papers)
Please to pay to the order of M r John Vaughan of this City seven hundred and fifty dollars being an anticipation in part of my salary as Professor in the University of Virginia agreably to the terms of my proposals in a letter to M r Jefferson of 25 Oct r 1819 MS ( ViU: TJP ); in Cooper’s hand, with notations in other hands as indicated; undated; adjacent to signature: “Treasurer of the...
3Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 15 April 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
M. Leshot found me yet confined to my bed; he gave me 125 Dlrs, and by the time he returns from New York , I shall in all probability be enabled to procure the Stoves. Mr Slack goes tomorrow to Norfolk & thence to Charlottesville . As to the Seal, I must wait till I can get up, and procure a classic drawing of the Peplon. The Peace Minerva, I believe has wings to her helmet. I know of no...
4Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 13 September 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to you at the Bedford Springs of this State , supposing from what I saw in the newspapers, you might be there. The castings are at last furnished. J. Vaughan has undertaken to forward them according to your directions. The seal is done; & the impression sent to you, which as soon as it receives your approbation I will pay for, as I shall for the castings, when the account is sent to...
5Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 6 December 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 25 Nov. arrived here to day. Your letter mentioning that the apartments and pavilion would be ready so as to enable me to go to Charlottesville by Midsummer, I do not recollect to have received. I understood the apartments for a classical tutor would be ready in the Spring of 1818; but that my services would not be required till the Spring of 1819. My great objection to...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 20 November 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your letter. Our town here is crouded with Presbyterian parsons; they are a systematic and persevering sect, and while they have the address to cajole the people out of their money, their power will encrease. he who has any regard for the peace of himself & his family can venture to stem this tide of fanaticism? About 20 Years hence the prevailing sect among the...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 18 October 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I spent the three months of vacation at this College, in an excursion to various parts of the State of Pennsylvania, chiefly for the purpose of attending to some land concerns in which I am interested. I write to you now, for the purpose of giving you some idea of the progress of fanatacism, which I could not have figured to myself if I had not had the advantage of extensive personal...
8Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 5 January 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I received a printed copy of your report , for which I thank you. It will serve to furnish more enlarged and more just ideas on the subject of education, than your countrymen have been accustomed to. I rejoice in the prospect of their being put in execution, whether I take any or no part in the Institution to be founded on them. I have been enquiring for workmen as you desired, and I send you...
9Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 18 April 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Ware is absent from Philadelphia I find, in order to take the benefit of the Insolvent Law in Delaware State . A respectable looking Quaker, a M r James has been twice with me, and appears to be a relation much interested in Ware ’s welfare. The result of the conversations is as follows. Ware will thankfully accept the terms you propose as to prices, which he considers as liberal. There...
10Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 24 June 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
D r Coxe ’s election comes on the first Tuesday of next month. They talk of deferring the election for chemical professor to the first Tuesday in September. I am not sufficiently instructed to know the causes of this inconvenient determination. I send you, ad interim , a Syllabus of lectures of which I have delivered two courses. They have produced very complimentary letters of approbation...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 18 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I congratulate you, on the proper feeling for your long life of meritorious service that seems to pervade every part of our country, and I anticipate from it, in every way, a result such as your friends would wish, and ought to expect. May the attachment of your fellow citizens render the close of your useful life, equally comfortable and honourable. I should not trouble you now with a letter,...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 12 March 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I sent you last winter two printed copies of the report of the legislative committee on the affairs of the College, unanimously adopted by the house. I sent them, because every public testimony in my favour, tends to justify your former kind recommendation of me to the Visitors of your University. I hope that report will serve as sufficient proof that you were not mistaken, the clergy...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 15 April 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I was exceeding glad to receive one more letter from without expecting it, and I rejoice to find that you are yet capable of exertion. I send you my Pamphlet on Consolidation in opposition the prevailing heresy of the General Welfare, & also my petition for the restoration of my fine imposed under the Sedition Law. You are not many years distant from the inevitable separation we must all...
14Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 10 February 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
M rs Cooper writes to me that no letter has been received from you since my departure from Philadelphia , and desires to know whether she is to set out with her family to Virginia in the beginning of the Summer or sooner. My first course here, will end in June. my second will occupy four months of the next winter, when I shall quit this situation for Charlotte’sville If I am wanted there....
15To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 17 March 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope you have received about this time, a copy of my tract on Materialism which I ordered to be sent to you when printed from Philadelphia. I sent you some time ago a third edition of my tract on The Tariff. I see with infinite regret the ignorance or the cowardice of each of the Presidential Candidates on this Question: not one of them dares come out boldly on the one side or on the other...
16Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 17 September 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
my letter to you respecting Williamsburgh was put in the post before I rec d yours . The Professorship which you do me the honour to propose is yet in the distance. I long to be settled somewhere, almost any where, provided I move to pecuniary advantage; for having the common motive of a family to provide for, I must act on that motive. I have written to Varro at Frankfort . When I am prepared...
17Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 18 September 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very sorry to hear of your weak state of health, but I hope to find you better by the comforts of home and rest. M. Correa ’s carriage has undergone repairs, and will not be fit for use till Sunday morning when we propose to set out. I suppose it will require seven days to bring us to Montecello . M rs Cooper declines being of the Party. I defer all further communication, till I have the...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 27 December 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged by your kind letter, and I would willingly pursue your advice if I could, by publishing the sequel to the tract I sent you, and which I think conclusive of the question. But the publisher of the tract you have refused to put his name to it as printer, and refused to sell it. I dare not give away any copies; the whole impression is in my library. I have sent one copy to...
19Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 26 August 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I write now in reply to yours from the warm Springs, of the 7 th Instant . D r Patterson is not chosen Chemical Professor, nor do I think he will be. The election does not take place till the first day of September . The event you shall be informed of, without delay. If I should not succeed (a very possible case) M. Correa , M rs Cooper and myself, set out forthwith for Charlotteville . She is...
20Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 8 September 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Vaughan cut the inclosed out of a Carolina Paper that came here yesterday. I suppose it must have been of date about the last of last month. I understand there have been no cases of sickness but among the irish who work on the Canal. I am with great respect RC ( MHi ); endorsed by TJ as received 24 Sept. 1820 and so recorded in SJL . Enclosure: clipping, pasted at foot of text, from the...
21Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 23 June 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you the account of our collegiate Studies, which the Trustees have directed to be published. It does not meet my full concurrence, but under all circumstances, it is very well. I much doubt if there is a better appointed Institution in the United States than this. Our mathematical professor , with great modesty, and great industry in teaching, ranks with Bowditch , Audraine & Nulty ;...
22Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 24 October 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I feel myself much flattered by the kind offer of the Visitors of the College near Charlotte’s ville ; and have waited a very few days only to determine what course I ought to pursue. I have also been in pursuit of a M r Slack who was for a short time a classical tutor at Carlisle , and who I find has since been in the same capacity at Lynchburgh . I thought well of him. He was in town a few...
23Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 3 October 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I put in writing what I have to observe, respecting the College at Charlottesville , because I think you will prefer having my remarks so stated, to any recollection of them. I am not at Liberty to consult my Inclination alone: duty to my family, requires that I should attend to their Interest; and to those proposals which are most likely to promote it. I presume, nothing can be permanently...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 18 June 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Foreseeing an approaching storm, I wrote to you, on the chance of being able to find shelter against its effects; but I have expressed myself in my letter to you not so clearly as I ought. I am fully of your opinion, that those who govern your University neither can or ought to give countenance to any rival establishment public or private in its neighbourhood. My views were these: It is...
25Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 3 September 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
M. Correa and I will set out about the 16 th . He will have to stay 2 or 3 days in Washington : we then set off for your Place. In mean time, I think the present opportunity afforded us by Hare ’s election ought not to be lost; but the moment should be taken to appeal to the Parents in Virginia , on the strange infatuation of sending their children to be educated here, when they could have...
26Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 11 April 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
When you wrote to me concerning the advertisements and the Stoves, I was greatly oppressed with a cold and fever which prevented me from going about to look out for patterns. I put the advertisement three times at a week’s interval in the Democratic Press, and in like manner in Poulson’s daily advertiser. A fortnight ago dating from yesterday, I was attacked with pleurisy which has confined me...
27Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 21 March 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yours of the 8 th yesterday. The contents greatly chagrined me, as it is on every account to be regretted that your Institution cannot go into operation till 1822; and even that period is contingent. I was right in the commencement of our correspondence on this subject, in taking into my calculations the chapter of accidents. I shall request M r Vaughan to transmit you a draught not...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 21 December 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I understand the inclosed report was adopted by the House of R. this morning. There has been every possible effort made on the part of the Presbyterian and Baptist clergy to put down this College, by denouncing it under my care, as the seat of infidelity and tyranny. The report propagated by them throughout this state, North Carolina, and (as M r Preston tells me) Virginia, were, that this...
29Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 6 October 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I was a little surprized yesterday, when M. Correa congratulated me on having agreed to come to Charlottesville . This is one of the mistakes so often arising from making a contract, matter of conversation, instead of writing. Therefore, I take the opportunity of the first post-town, to set it right. I was tempted to say, that if the permanent salary were 1500 in lieu of 1000 dollars, I would...
30Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 20 February 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I feel myself greatly obliged and much gratified by the kind and liberal conduct of the Governors of your Institution in my case. In truth, having from the age of twenty to fifty laboured almost exclusively for the public, I find it absolutely necessary to labour now for my family, which forms if not the only the strongest motive to exertion with me now; and I must for their sake, use the few...
31Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 30 September 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I regret that it is not in my power to visit you this Season. I am not only busy preparing for my lectures ( a course of mineralogy and another of Chemistry) but I have undertaken to correct the press for M r Wirt ’s life of Patr. Henry of which about 100 pages are printed. M r Sanders of Williamsburgh called on a friend of mine here, wishing to see me on the Subject of the Coll e ge
32Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 24 April 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your letter announcing the prejudices excited among the people by the Clergy, without surprize. I have never published any thing on theological subjects in this country, but the Sentiments you may have read in my review of D r Priestley ’s philosophical & metaphysical writings. In England about 35 Years ago , I published something of the same kind, but neither here or there, any...
33Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 2 February 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Richardson has not yet returned. I received y r friendly letter , but I see by the act , that your limits of permanent Salary, are 1000 Dlrs to each Professor. Had I twenty years of probable exertion before me I would accept the situation at once; but I see clearly, that I shall have to commence a new course of labour for the benefit of those who come after me, and be a loser in a...
34Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 30 June 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that Mr Eppes passed his examination with credit to himself, and satisfaction to the faculty , & to the Trustees who were present. I have no doubt that his next year will be spent profitably, as I clearly perceive a spirit of literary emulation among the young men here of all Classes. His talents are certainly above par, and his industry induces me to hope &...
35To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 13 December 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I sent you some days ago the report of the Senate and the Message of the Governor of this state: I send you now the report of the house of representatives in relation to myself. You will find I have gained a victory: but it will only increase the caution and rancour of my fanatic opponents. & we have scotched the snake, not killed it. Hence my situation is far from comfortable here; for the...
36Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 12 July 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for your kind letter of the 4 th but I can give no decisive answer as to S. Carolina . The Trustees passed an unanimous resolution to apply to the Legislature for a new Professorship with 1000 Dlrs a year, giving me the option of Law or Geology and Mineralogy. I preferred the latter as more immediately connected with Chemistry, & they will apply for it. Whether the Legislature when...
37Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 7 December 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I have written to you to Poplar Grove , stating my acceptance of the Chairs of Chemistry & its attendant branches, & of Law, at Central College ; and my readiness to remove thither about Midsummer next, 1818. I wish I had known before, that the Institution w d accept of my services so early as that period; y r letter stating this , has not been received. I write this lest there should be delay...
38Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 25 October 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I have reflected on the proposal of the board of Visitors . Besides the untoward circumstances stated in my last letter to you , I have just received a letter from M r Wickliffe of Lexington Kentucky , stating that as I could not engage myself permanently there, in consequence of my previous engagement in Virginia , the board had declined the offer of my temporary assistance in favour of D r
39Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 24 November 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for your letter of the 19 th Inst . How I shall dispose of my own time next year, I know not. M rs Cooper is desirous of removing in Spring, and remaining there till I can join her; of course, if the garden walls could with propriety be finished round the garden, it would be a convenience. I have succeeded in my law suit , but the land I had verbally contracted to sell last April,...
40Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 13 [March] 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I have inserted the advertisement in the Democratic Press, and shall also insert it in Poulson’s paper: one democratic and one federal. I am glad there is to be a meeting of the visitors on the 29 th because it will afford an opportunity of laying before them my views of the situation proposed to me. My receipts here, are a few dollars above 3000 during the last year. The expences of my...
41Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 12 March 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I am glad to find from M r Eppes ’s information, that the Legislature of Virginia has enabled the Visitors of the University to proceed with their Plan. When I passed by Montecello , it was with a view principally to ascertain whether any strong probability could be counted upon, as to the appointment of Professors; meaning to regulate my conduct here, by the information I could obtain at your...
42Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 21 June 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Vaughan has written to you that he will see to the Stoves & have them duly shipped. When I receive the acc t I will pay it. I have had much trouble in fixing on a Minerva. None to be found in Tooke , Spence , or any french Pantheon on authority. I examined Monfaucon , but I could find none worthy of being copied. I found the Minerva of Velletri in the
43Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 14 February 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you the history of a College rebellion (an annual case here) which p may be put by among the memoires pour servir à l’histoire du gouvernement academique ; facts that furnish some useful conclusions. You are to consider as true in addition the following facts: viz That the Professors have never been absent from a single recitation, so far as I know, since I have been at this College ....
44Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 3 May 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
On monday last 1 st instant , the board of Trustees of south Carolina College , at a regular meeting, (usually held here, during the courts of appeal in Law & Chancery , the Judges being Trustees) unimously unanimously determined That it should be proposed to and urged with the Legislature to appoint a Professorship of Geology and Mineralogy, or else a professorship of Law, with a Salary of...
45Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 21 August 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for your friendly letter . I hope to go by land to Carolina & to be there, about the middle of Oct r . M rs Cooper takes my family by sea in November. I think if Mess rs Eppes & Baker are at Columbia by the beginning of the second week of Oct
46Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 16 September 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I have not written to you for a long time, because I am aware of the burthen of your extensive correspondence, from my own experience in a much less degree. At present I have to write on my own affairs, but as they are connected in some measure with your own state, this may furnish an excuse for the trouble I give you. When I quitted Carlisle I came here with a view of being elected Chemical...
47Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 20 November 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I suspect my letters have been strangely delayed. I wrote at least three weeks ago about M r Slack of Lynchburgh . I wrote about ten days ago , saying that the Visitors at Williamsburgh wished me to go there either next spring; or next fall, at my Option: this I heard from Mr Brown of that place, in a letter stating it: he requests an early reply, I shall leave this
48Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, [22 April 1819] (Jefferson Papers)
M r John Vaughan as I am not yet able to walk about has undertaken to buy the Stoves and see them duly shipped to Cap t Peyton at Richmond to whom I will write when they are put on board the packet. I greatly regret to see in the papers that a wing of your house has been destroyed by fire: but I hope it amounts to no injury but what can be repaired. RC ( ViU: TJP ); partially dated at foot of...
49To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 6 May 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged by your letter. I fear however that you overrate the theological liberality of this State. my representation to the legislature last session, and some pieces on the pretensions of the clergy to Tythes which have been copied into a paper here, from a Philadelphia publication the “Reformer”, have so exasperated the Presbyterian clergy, that they have been, and now are holding...
50Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 19 September 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I have seen two persons as teachers of the Classics neither of whom will suit. I have twice written to the person at Frankford according to his advertisement as Varro, and as F.G. but I have not seen or heard from him. shall I advertise? With reference for information to myself? I have seen Col: Basset of Williamsburgh to day, and have declined that situation finally. Mr Hare I believe wishes...