2251To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 12 August 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer M r E. Ta y loe, son of Col: Tayloe of Washington is desirous of making a respectful call at Monticello, and I can not refuse to his motive, the gratification of a line presenting him to you. He is at present a resident at Fredericksburg, reading Law with his kinsman M r Lomax; and appears to be quite estimable & amiable. M r T. is so good as to take charge of the 4 last volumes of...
2252To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 16 August 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I acknowledged in my last yours of the 8 th and now return the letters of M r Gilmer & M r Rush inclosed in it. It would be matter of much regret if insanity should befall such a man as Ivory; but it is to hoped his condition will be fixed before he leaves Eng d or rather before any engagement of him. I hope M r Gilmer will be able to avoid also men much advanced in life. After a certain age...
2253To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 10 September 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
On the rec t of yours of Aug. 8. I turned my thoughts to its request on the Subject of a Theological catalogue for the Library of the University: and not being aware that so early an answer was wished, as I now find was the case. I had proceeded very leisurely in noting such authors as seemed proper for the collection. Supposing also, that altho’ Theology was not to be taught in the...
2254To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 17 September 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I return M r G Gilmer letter. The uncertainty of his success , and the increase of his expences, give an unwelcome aspect to his mission. It is to be hoped that Scotland will do more for him than Eng d is likely to do. Germany may open a field of choice better in some respects than either: But the alien language, and less affinity of manners are grounds of unfavorable comparison. It w d seem...
2255To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 28 September 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
The list of books you have made out will do very well as a nest Egg for the Library. May not the high prices of some of them have been occasioned by a scarcity since removed by Editions both better & cheaper. I know nothing of Fayette’s movements but through the newspapers from which it appears that he cannot leave Philad a before the 1 st of October. It becomes questionable I think whether he...
2256To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 9 October 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 6 th inclosing the letter of M r Gilmer did not reach me till la st evening. The foreign prospect for the University is very gloomy, and the domestic far from bright. We must not however despond. What occurs to me as best on the occasion, is that M r Gilmer pro to exhaust the experiment in G.B. and if necessary then extend it to Ireland. On the ques tion how long he should be...
2257To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 14 October 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
It is very lucky that Gilmer was so soon able to relieve us from the alarm he had excited. He does not say whether his Mathematician is an Astronomer also; or does he look for one in a professor of Nat: Philo y ? If so, his remaining task will be greater than might be wished. His good spirits however authorize ours. CSmH : Emmet Collection.
2258To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 22 October 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I return your letter to Gilmer as fairly copied. Will he understand that he is not to return without a Nat: Philosopher, tho’ bringing the other Professors named, and despairing of that one? There will however be time for final instructions on this point after hearing further from him. ViU .
2259To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 3 December 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I return the letters from M r Gilmer enclosed in yours of Nov r 30. His account of the engaged Professors is very encouraging. It is a happy circumstance that none of them are beyond the ages mentioned. They will be the less inflexible in their habits, the more improveable in their qualifications, and will last the longer. It would seem that Gilmer’s mind leans now to the station he declined...
2260To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 15 December 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I return M r Gilmers two letters to you & that of M r Emmet to M r Calhoun, inclosed in yours of the 10 th . I have so much confidence in the )pinion of M r Gilmer, & respect for the testimony of the father, with every abatement for partia that I can not doubt the chemical & other mine ascribed to young Emmet. As a letter however such as you propose, would be viewed by him as equivalent nearly...
2261To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 31 December 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received yours without date inclosing the letter of M r Cabell & your answer. I approve entirely the course you recommend to the friends of the University at Richmond, on the proposed removal of the College at Williamsburg. It would be fortunate if the occasion could be improved for the purpose of filling up the general plan of Education, by the introduction of the grade of Seminaries...
2262To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 15 January 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry M r Tucker requires time for deliberation. It shews the difficulty in our Country of withdrawing talents from rival pursuits into the service of Education. I do not think he will have chosen the best of literary careers, if he devotes himself to Novel writing. The public taste is nearly satiated with the fashionable, perhaps the best species, in which the success of Walter Scott has...
2263To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 28 January 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I have rec d yours of the 23 d inclosing a copy of the Bill sent to M r Cabell; but omitting the letter from him. Without that I cannot estimate the reception such a measure will have in the Assembly. The grounds on which the Bill dissolves the Charter of the College , & disposes of its funds are captivating . But there will probably be a powerful opposition to it. The uncertain & scanty...
2264To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 8 February 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
The letters from M r Cabell are herein returned. I just see that he has succeeded in defeating the project for removing the College from Williamsburg. I hope your concurrence in what I said of M r Barbour will not divert your thoughts from others. It is possible that the drudgery of his profession, the uncertainty of a Judicial appointment acceptable to him, and some attractions at the...
2265To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 17 February 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I rec d yesterday your two letters of the 12 & 15 th & return the letter from M r Cabell inclosed in one of them. I approve the course you have in view of obtaining an eventual meeting of the Visitors. The Judicial appointment of M r Barbour will, I understand, be accepted; and as it is in the road to the Court of Appeals, lessens the chance of him for the University. I am sorry you hear...
2266To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 26 March 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I rec d some days ago yours of Mar. 10. The last mail brought me that of Mar 22. inclosing the letter of Col. Barbour & your answer, both of which I return. If you have not satisfied him of the value of your proposition, he must at least be convinced of the unreasonableness of his own. I have not yet seen him since I rec d your letter requesting me to do so, having been confined by a very bad...
2267To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 28 March 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I saw Col. Barbour yesterday, as I intended. He remains decided ag st relinquishing his Judgeship without a previous experiment of the chair in the University. He feels evidently a strong attraction towards it; and I think a growing one. It is quite possible that the experiment he is making of his Judicial duties, carrying him as they will beyond the Mountains, will diminish his preference of...
2268To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 12 April 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter for Judge Barbour inclosed in your last to me, did not reach him, till his return on saturday evening from his visit to Culpeper. Yesterday he called on me on his way to his Court in this County. I found that he adhered to his purpose last communicated, and that such would be his answer to you. There can be no chance therefore of obtaining him for the University, unless the vacancy...
2269To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 13 April 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
When I suggested, some time ago, Judge Carr for the Law Chair in the University, I did not know that he had been taken into view by any other member of our Board; and inferring from the silent reception given to my letter, and the attractions of the place he now holds. that I ought not to persist in the idea of his appointment, my thoughts were turned altogether to other chances. By a letter...
2270To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 21 April 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I have rec d yours of the 15 th relating to a purchase of the parcels of land offered for sale by M r Perry. and very chearfully concur in your proposition for making it. The advantage of thus connecting the separate parcels of the University. and securing the sources and ducts which are to supply it with water, seems well to justify the measure on the terms & in the mode explained by you....
2271To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 19 May 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I did not receive yours of the 12 th in time to be answered by the last mail. My thoughts, as heretofore intimated, had been turned to Judge Dade for the Law Chair; and with the recommendatory opinions which you enumerate, I cannot hesitate to concur in the offer of it as proposed. I concur also in the issuing of a Commission on the written sanctions of the Visitors without the formality of a...
2272To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 4 August 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Having but little hope that Judge Dade will accept the place offered him, & having occasionally heard M r Lomax of Fred g spoken of favorably , I sought an occasion yesterday of learning more of him from Judge Barbour (without disclosing My object ) who has long been at the same Bar with him, and is otherwise well acquainted with his character. The Judge considers him as a man of solid talents...
2273To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 10 August 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Circular of the 4 th instant did not come to hand till yesterday. In the present attitude of things the reappointment of M r Gilmer to the Law Professorship seems a matter of course: though I am sorry to learn that there is some ground to apprehend that his qualifications are not as well understood & as highly estimated as they deserve to b DLC : Papers of James Madison.
2274To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 14 October 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Browere (pronounced Brower) is so anxious to pay his respects to you that I can not refuse him a line of introduction His object is to take your likeness in plaster, much desired it appears by patrons of a Public Gallery. His success as an Artist is very highly attested. His bust of Gen l Lafayette is pronounced by other imitation Artists as a conspicuous proof of his talent. The little...
2275To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 28 December 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I rec d yesterday evening yours of the 24 th inst: inclosing a paper drawn up with a view to the question of “Roads & Canals,” and to the course of proceeding must expedient for the Legislature of Virg a now in session. In my retired position it is difficult to scan the precise tendency of measures addressed to the opinions & feelings of the States & of their Representatives; these being...
2276To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 7 January 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I return D r Emmet’s letter as requested. Wall’s qualifications as a Drawing Master, are sufficiently authenticated to make his connection with the University very desirable. But there seems little ground for hope, that he will exchange for it his present advantages in New York. The only material attraction, beyond the fees, is that of a Pavilion. rent free; of which his tenure would be of...
2277To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 25 January 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Circular of the 20 th instn post marked 23 rd was rec d last evening, and the letter from M r Pictet, is forwarded as desired to our Colleagues at Rich d . I concur in your mode of providing for the foreseen vacancy which, I sincerely lament, on every account; as I should in any admissible mode that would avoid the necessity, for an Extra meeting of the Visitors. I am
2278To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 24 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 17 th was duly rec d . The awkward state of the Law professorship is truly distressing, but seems to be without immediate remedy. Considering the hopeless condition of M r Gilmour, a temporary appointment, if an acceptable successor were at hand, whilst not indelicate towards the worthy moribund incumbent, might be regarded as equivalent to a permanent one. And if the hesitation...
2279To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 25 April 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I have rec d yours of the 21 st The refusal of the Offer to M r Wirt. inviting as it was. does not suprize me. It is very gratifying to learn that M r Lomax takes so well with everybody, I hope his success will make some amends. for the delay in filling the Chair which is to receive him. I have made a beginning with Capt. Peyton as the consignee of my business at Richmond, as recommended in...
2280To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 6 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I return the correspondence enclosed in yours of the 3 d inst. The reluctance of M r Emmett, & probably of his colleagues, to the enlargement of their duties, is neither to be wondered at nor yielded to. You have put the matter on a ground to which I can suggest no improvement. It may be well perhaps that what has passed should not be generally known. With some it might produce reflections on...