12901Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 17 July 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
you are quite free, my dear Sir, to make the use you propose of the opinion I gave you, and under the cautions you express. my object is to avoid giving useless offence. I salute you with friendship P.S. your serv t has been detained by the interruption of a visit from a foreigner RC (Mrs. Charles W. Biggs, Lewisburg, W.Va., 1950; photocopy in MsSM ); dateline between note and postscript;...
12902Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 19 October 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I avail myself of the first moment it has been in my power to commence the repaiment of the sum with which you were so kind as to accomodate me by sending you an order on Cap t Peyton for 500.D. as much as I am indebted to you for your friendly forbearance, I am afraid to name dates for further payments. the spring will be the earliest, at which I shall be able to pay the half or the whole of...
12903From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 31 March 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
The proceedings on my lottery are too far advanced to admit the practicability of any change whatever to be made on it. I have put the whole business in to the hands of my grandson who is now on his way to Baltimore and the Northern cities, and has already disposed of tickets probably in Richmond and on the road. I have meddled so little with it that I have not even asked from him any...
12904From James Madison to John H. Peyton, 21 December 1825 (Madison Papers)
On the rect. of your letter on the subject of yr. Ward Lewis I made known to the Govt. at Washington, your wishes for his admission into the Military Academy with the considerations in support of them. His pretensions seem to be such as can not fail to attract a favo⟨rable⟩ attention, if there be an opening at West Point, & no bar in the rule of selection by Congressional Districts laid down...
12905Thomas Jefferson to John H. Peyton, 14 September 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
Your brother Col o Bernard Peyton informed me that he had a friend, mr Greene , going immediately to Kentucky , who would be sure to call on you on his way, and who would be so kind as to take charge of the inclosed packet to mr Miller , if I should lodge it with you. it’s safe carriage to it’s address is of the greatest importance to me, and I therefore ask the favor of you to recieve & hold...
12906Thomas Jefferson to John H. Peyton, 22 January 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Dec. 19 . was duly reci e ved with a copy of the interlocutory decree in my case with the Rivanna co. this settles the principles of the case, so far as respects my paramount, and their subordinate rights. but the git of the result will be in the application of these principles, which is to depend on the report of Commissioners. their selection therefore is of the last...
12907Thomas Jefferson to John H. Peyton, 17 December 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I wait only to recieve a copy of the decree respecting my mill, to suggest to you proper commissioners. must they be of the county ? every man above our little ridge of mountains & on the waters of our river is interested on the side of the defendants . they must certainly come from below the S. W. mountains and not have rival mills. may they be taken from the adjacent counties? their report...
12908Thomas Jefferson to John Philippart, 11 May 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Feb. 17. is duly recieved, and claims my acknolegements for the notice of which you are pleased to think my course of life worthy. it finds me however unequal to the undertaking you request. the hand of age (now 76) presses heavily on me, and renders writing exceedingly laborious. the transactions too in which I have borne a part, have many of them entirely escaped recollection,...
12909From Thomas Jefferson to William B. Philips, 16 December 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer mr Philips has executed much of the bricklaying at the University, and of the best work done there. I can truly recommend him for the excellence of his work and correctness of his conduct. Th: Jefferson Dec. 16. 23. ViU : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
12910From James Madison to Naphtali Phillips, 20 July 1827 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison, with his respects to Mr. Phillips, informs him that the date asked for in his letter of the 9th. inst. is March 5. 1751. RC (Abraham Lincoln Book Shop, Inc., Chicago, Ill., 2008; http://www.alincolnbookshop.com ).
12911From John Adams to William Phillips, Jr., 1 November 1819 (Adams Papers)
Mr John Marston has requested me to write your Honour on a Subject in which I am very sensible I have no colour of right or pretentions to interfere, and on which I am not qualified to form a judgement.— All that I can say is, that I was acquainted with his Father, who had been an Officer in the Conquest of Louisbourg in one thousand seven hundred and forty five, that Mr Marston was himself in...
12912From Thomas Jefferson to Philip Syng Physick, 3 April 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you, dear Sir, for the information you have been so kind as to give me in your favor of Mar. 24. it gives us the general view we wished of the articles which may be requisite for our Anatom. school and shews the caution to be observed in acquiring them, and to avoid imposition. besides the expence in the first purchase of such a collection as D r Horner has been so good as to describe,...
12913From Thomas Jefferson to Philip Syng Physick, 12 March 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
We have been some time preparing buildings for an University in this state, and we have now a prospect of being able to open it with the beginning of the next year. it’s anatomical school will of course need Anatomical plates, skeletons, models and preparations for the purpose of explanation in lecturing E t c verbatim as in a letter of this date to D r Granville Sharp Pattison of Baltimore....
12914Thomas Jefferson to John Pickering, 13 February 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you, Sir, for your essay proposing an uniform orthography for the Indian languages. it appears to me judiciously combined for effect and practice. it would be fortunate could it become the commencement of an uniform orthography for the world. but I suppose we are to despair of seeing such a sacrifice by any one generation for the good of all succeeding ones. such an orthography would...
12915From Thomas Jefferson to John Pickering, 20 February 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the copy of your Cherokee grammar, which I have gone over with attention and satisfaction. we generally learn languages for the benefit of reading the books written in them. but here our reward must be the addition made to the philosophy of language. in this point of view, your analysis of the Cherokee adds valuable matter for reflection, and strengthens our desire to see more...
12916From John Adams to John Pickering, 29 January 1819 (Adams Papers)
I am ashamed to have delayed so long and at last to be obliged to Borrow a hand to acknowledge the receipt of your learned and ingenious essay on the pronunciation of the Greek language. I rejoice to see that men of letters are rising up to investigate such subjects with an extent of learning and a reach of sagacity that would do honor to any of the learned men in Europe. Accept my thanks for...
12917Thomas Jefferson to John Pickering, 22 September 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments & his thanks to mr Pickering for the copy he has been so kind as to send him of his essay on the pronunciation of the Greek language. he had had the pleasure of perusing it before thro’ the kindness of mr Adams , in a letter to whom he expressed his sense of it’s merit, which letter, communicated (as he understands) to mr Pickering , will have informed...
12918From Thomas Jefferson to John Pickering, 26 February 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you, Sir, for your treatise on the Indian languages, and rejoice to see them thought worthy of your attention. a collation of them with one another is the only means we can ever have of tracing the filiation of those numerous tribes, and of remounting thro’ the gloom of ages towards their origin. nor is it without curiosity that the analyses of their languages unfold to us structures...
12919From Thomas Jefferson to John Pickering, 27 October 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to thank you for your favor of the 10 th inst. and the two pamphlets accompanying it on the subject of Greek grammars. I confess I should have been of an opinion very different from that which excluded it from a place in the Review. the subject is interesting, is learnedly treated, and I think worth pursuing until a general accord shall be produced. for I concur with you in believing...
12920From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 6 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 2d instant has prescribed a dismal plan, which I was never very well calculated to execute, but am now wholly incapable. I can write nothing which will not be suspected of personal vanity, local prejudice or Provincial & State partiality. However, as I hold myself responsible, at this age, to one only tribunal in the Universe, I will give you a few hints at all hazards. As...
12921William Jay to Timothy Pickering, 24 June 1826 (Jay Papers)
My Father’s health not permitting him to answer your letter of last Month in his own hand, he has desired me to acknowledge the receipt of it, together with D r : Holmes’s Memoir & letter which accompanied it. My Father did not know, till informed by your letter, that your Son Henry was a resident in New York, & he requests you to assure him, that should he find it convenient to visit Bedford,...
12922From James Madison to Timothy Pickering, 17 September 1825 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. Sir, your letter of the 7th. instant, inclosing Nos. 5 & 6. of the New England Farmer. I have not now the title which you supposed, to this mark of attention. Finding that I could not attend the Meetings of the Agricultural Society of Albemarle, held at a considerable distance from me, I made way, by resignation, for a successor to the presiding office who might do more justice to...
12923Thomas Jefferson to Timothy Pickering, 27 February 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved, Sir, your favor of the 12 th and I assure you I recieved it with pleasure. it is true as you say that we have differed in political opinions; but I can say with equal truth, that I never suffered a political to become a personal difference. I have been left on this ground by some friends whom I dearly loved, but I was never the first to separate. with some others, of politics...
12924From James Madison to Timothy Pickering, 17 October 1825 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 4th. inst: inclosing a continuation of your printed letters on the improvement of our native breed of Neat Cattle has been duly received. The subject well merits the attention bestowed on it; and I shall cheerfully comply with the request to put the past & the ensuing nos. into the hands of a Gentleman to whom I doubt not they will be acceptable, & whose judgment & public spirit...
12925From John Adams to A. & J.W. Picket, 20 October 1821 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your letter of the 8th.—As I have neither strength of mind or body to persue trains of ideas—or write long letters I must be very brief in my answer to your questions.—First I admire and approve your plan—secondly the course of study too be adopted is the great and important for my capacity, experience and reflections to deliniate— However I will hazard a few hints— First let...
12926From James Madison to Albert Picket and Others, 23 September 1821 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 10th. instant, asking my opinion as to th⟨e establishment of a female college,⟩ and a proper course of instruction in it. The importance of both these questions, an⟨d the⟩ novelty of the first, would require more consideration than is allowed by other demands on my time, if I were better qualified for the task, or than is permitted indeed by the tenor of your...
12927Thomas Jefferson to Albert & John W. Picket, 10 April 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Mar. 29 . is recieved with the first numbers of the Academician. at an earlier period of life I befriended with zeal all new publications which promised utility, as yours does. but age now admonishes me to wind up old concerns and to embark in no new ones. scarcely a week passes without recieving some new proposition for a new publication . but the desire of rest & tranquility is...
12928Thomas Jefferson to Marc Auguste Pictet, 26 December 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor by mr Terril was duly recieved, but ill health has long suspended with me the power of acknoleging the attentions of my friends, and a slow and chequered convalescence renders writing still difficult. I owe, and return you with pleasure, many thanks for your multiplied kindnesses to mr Terril . these have been, in his mind too, as seeds sown in a fertile soil, and have produced a...
12929Thomas Jefferson to Charles Pinckney, 30 September 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
An absence of some time from home has occasioned me to be thus late in acknoleging the reciept of your favor of the 6 th and I see in it with pleasure evidences of your continued health & application to business. it is now, I believe, about 20. years since I had the pleasure of seeing you, and we are apt, in such cases, to lose sight of time, and to concieve that our friends remain stationary...
12930From John Jay to Caesar Pine, 28 December 1818 (Jay Papers)
I this morning rec d . your Letter of the 24 Inst:, ^by Rob t . whom I was glad to see—^ and [ reported? ] learn from [ illegible ] that ^He tells me^ you continue sick; and with but little Prospect of soon recovering your Health. As afflictions are usually sent in Mercy, let us recieve and consider ^regard^ them accordingly— Your Son
12931From Thomas Jefferson to Andrea Pini, 11 August 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Nov. 24. was not recieved until Apr. 23. of the present year having been 5. months on it’s passage. I deferred answering it until I should be remitting the interest of the past year, and this has been delayed very much beyond the usual season, from circumstances which I could not controul, and which have been heretofore explained, arising from the interior situation of our farms,...
12932From Thomas Jefferson to Andrea Pini, 8 October 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of April 17. did not come to hand until the 17 th of the last month, 5 months after it’s date. it is but justice to acknolege the kindness of your indulgence hitherto, as to your money in my hands. of which I assure you I entertain a proper sense. and I ask permission to explain the circumstances which, instead of remitting the whole principal at once, as desired in your letter,...
12933Thomas Jefferson to Louis Pio, 13 June 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved, my dear Sir, your letter of Aug. 29. with great sensibility. it recalls to my memory scenes in earlier life which were very interesting, and many of them past with you. I have not forgotten either them or you, altho’ so much of time and space has intervened, and events of so great and different characters have occupied our attention. you have seen the horrors of Robespierre ,...
12934From John Adams Smith to Joseph Planta, Jr., 19 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
Mr. J. Adams Smith Chargé d’affaires of the United States of America presents his Compliments to M. Planta to inform him of the arrival at Cowes of the American Ship of War Franklin with His Excellency Mr. Rush as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America to His Britannic Majesty, and to request that an order may be granted permitting His Excellency...
12935From John Adams Smith to Joseph Planta, Jr., 26 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
Mr J. Adams Smith presents his compliments to Mr. Planta, to ask the favour of him, that a Treasury order may be obtained for the delivery of nineteen Packages the baggage and Property of His Excellency Mr. Rush American Minister which have been lodged at the Kings Warehouse upon arrival in London. Mr. Smith will thank Mr. Planta, that the order may be obtained as speedily as will comport...
12936From Thomas Jefferson to James Pleasants, 24 November 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
The Report of the Rector & Visitors of the University of Virga which accompanies this letter, expressing a doubt, from the informn then possessed , whether our Agent would be able to effect the purposes of his mission to Europe at as early a day as we had expected, observed that ‘of this more would be known in time for it’s communication by the Rector with the Report’. I have to give the...
12937From Thomas Jefferson to James Pleasants, 30 November 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I have now the honor to inclose to the President & Directors of the Literary fund (to be laid before the legislature at their next succeeding meeting) the Report of the disbursements, the funds on hand and a general statement of the condition of the University of Virginia, agreed to by the Rector and Visitors at their last meeting on the 7 th of October, together with the documents to which it...
12938From Thomas Jefferson to James Pleasants, 23 April 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Fearing that there might be some obstacle at Wash n to the speedy reciept of the last donation to the Univ ty I wrote to mr Ja s Barbour stating to him the importance of hav g our library and apparatus all in place for the commencemt of our next term, Feb. 1. that Students disposed to come might be encoraged by a knolege of our full preparn with these essentials, and requested him to expedite...
12939From Thomas Jefferson to James Pleasants, 9 November 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
In obedience to the requisitions of the law I now inclose for the President and Directors of the Library fund to be laid before the legislature at their ensuing session, the Report of the 6 th of October last, of the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia, embracing a full account of the disbursements, the funds on hand, and a general statement of the condition, of the sd...
12940From Thomas Jefferson to James Pleasants, 21 January 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the Governor and forwards to him the application of another candidate for the place of Engineer. being appealed to for his testimony he thinks it his duty to say that of the writer of the letter mr Brant he knows nothing, nor does he personally know mr Haessler, but his character is well known to him thro’ many channels. he is a Swiss, has been in this...
12941From Thomas Jefferson to James Pleasants, 12 November 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
At the time that the Bursar of the University recieved the sum of 40,000. D. the first part of the last loan of the Literary board to the University, the Proctor had estimated that that sum would be sufficient for all purposes until the end of the year. if falls short however, and there is now a pressing call on him for a sum of 4000. D. which he has not funds to answer. it is of great...
12942From Thomas Jefferson to James Pleasants, 10 March 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
We learn authentically that Congress has passed a law authorising the payment to Virginia of such a portion of her claim as will certainly cover the donation of 50,000 D. to the University by the legislature. from the 5 th section of the act making that donation I observe that we are not obliged to seek it through the circuitous channel of a loan from the Board of public works, but may ask it...
12943From Thomas Jefferson to James Pleasants, 3 April 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Duty obliges me to forward to you such letters as the inclosed. I do it willingly on behalf of men of the merit of mr Haessler, but at the same time without any other view than that of enlarging the field of selection, and enabling you to chuse the best subject. I salute you with affectionate esteem and respect. Vi : Public Works Papers.
12944From Thomas Jefferson to James Pleasants, 22 November 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Ritchie some time ago requested me to send you the Report of the Visitors of the University with the documents as early as I could in the hope that you would permit him to print it in time to lay it earlier on the table of the legislature. It has not been in my power to do it till now it accompanies therefore this letter you will percieve in it an intimation that I am to communicate to you...
12945Thomas Jefferson to James Pleasants, 26 December 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I learn with real regret, from your favor of the 10 th the several circumstances which have deprived me of the pleasure of seeing, either here or at Poplar Forest , a relation whom I have long been taught to esteem, altho I have not the advantage of his personal acquaintance. I must find my consolation in the French adage that ‘ tout ce qui est differé n’est pas perdu ,’ assuring you that no...
12946From Thomas Jefferson to James Pleasants, 20 December 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
The sollicitn of a friend which wi ll be presently explained, is yielded to the more readily as it gives me an occasio n of greeting you on your accession to th e chair of our govmt & of congratulating you particularly on the honorable majority by which it was conferred. besides the interest I feel in it as a citizen & relation I have another peculiarly interwoven with my most anxious...
12947From Thomas Jefferson to James Pleasants, 5 March 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
The law concerning the University makes the non-user for a whole year vacate the office of a visitor. mr Chapman Johnson failed to attend both our semi-annual meeting, of the last year from sicness, which has determ d his commn. I should have sooner notified you of this & asked a renewal but that mr Cabell wrote me he would do it yet not hearing from him again, and anxious that it sh d not be...
12948Thomas Jefferson to James Pleasants, 27 April 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 21 st is recieved, and with it Col o Peyton ’s acknolegement of the reciept of the 118.D. balance due to me from Ronald ’s estate, of which he had before advised me. I am flattered with the promise of a visit from you, long desired, and very welcome whenever it can be made with your convenience . our University is in a state to compensate the trouble of such a journey, as no...
12949From Thomas Jefferson to James Pleasants, 23 December 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
According to the requisitions of the law, I now transmit to the President and Directors of the Literary fund, for communication to the legislature, the annual Report of the Visitors of the University of Virginia, bearing date the 7 th of October last. at that date the regular books were not yet compleated which were under preparation for the purpose of exhibiting a clear and methodical view of...
12950From James Madison to James Pleasants Jr., 11 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
In the latter part of June or first of July 1783. a letter was written by the Virga. Delegates in Congs to the Govr: giving an acct. of the Meeting of Soldiers which was followed by the removal of Congs. from Philada. It is not certain whether the letter was signed by all the Delegates, or proceeded from Mr Mercer alone as was one of them. As the letter is probably on the files of the Ex. may...