161From James Madison to James Monroe, 5 February 1824 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of Jany. 26. came duly to hand. The information I wish to be obtained from Genl. Jackson is 1st. What was the form & dates of the appointments of Brigadier, and of Brevet Major General, accepted by him in his letter of June 8th. 1814. to the Secy. of war; and what the date of the Secretary’s letter inclosing the appointments. The term “form” refers to the distinction between...
162Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Ritchie, 7 December 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
It is long since I have ceased to read any newspaper but yours , and I shall continue to read no other. withdrawing therefore from all others I pray you to have me discontinued as a subscriber to the Compiler. should the legislature have the report of the University Commissioners printed in a pamphlet be so good as to send me half a dozen copies. mr Gibson as usual will pay you for these as...
Regularity and method are so essential to the acquisition of real knowledge that the little annoyance of the Bell is a trifle to the good consequences which its sound produces when it reminds you that certain duties are to be performed at certain times—The human mind requires an incessant spur or stimulus to invigorate its action or more properly speaking to force it into certain channels...
164From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sewall, 16 November 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Th Jefferson returns his thanks to D r Sewall for the information he has been so kind as to furnish him of the institution of a Medical school in the College of Columbia. he sincerely wishes it success and that it may have it’s share in the merit of lessening the afflictions of mankind. he is particularly obliged to him for his interesting account of the medical institutions of our country. we...
165Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton, 25 May 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieve here your fav r of the 16 th and am equally mortified at my own inattention to furnish you renewals of my notes before I left home as at Jefferson ’s repeated failures to do what was regular and necessary to enable you to rec e ive the money expected. by this date however all is surely brought to rights, and the inconveniencies relieved
166Enclosure: Thomas Jefferson’s List of Proposed Commissioners in Jefferson v. Rivanna Company, [ca. 22 January 1820] (Jefferson Papers)
Charles Scott . Fluvanna . Col o John Clarke . Powhatan . George Fleming Louisa . } of great experience in mills both scientifically & practically. mr Scott has built two large mill establishments, Col o
167From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 September 1817 (Adams Papers)
Mr Jefferson has been good enough to Send me the enclosed Pamphlet An history of the restoration of Royalty in France 31, March 1814 by De Pradt. As it has Some pretentions to Authority, and as you may not have Seen it, I Send it to you: and as the owner desires me to return it, I pray you after you Shall have read it to transmit it to Monte Chello, with whose Inhabitants I hope you will have...
168Thomas Jefferson: Resolution on primary schools, ca. 3 Feb. 1825, 3 February 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved that the Governor be requested to have prepared and laid before the legislature at their next meeting a statement in detail of the sum of education which, under the law establishing primary schools, has been rendered in the schools of each county respectively and for every year from the passage of the law to the present one inclusive: that it be stated in a Tabular form, in the first...
169Thomas Jefferson to Louis Adrien Gruchet, 15 May 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved your favor of the 4 th inst. and read the two letters of the Marquis d’Orvault with all the commiseration due to the sufferings of worth. we are all born to mixtures of good & evil; but I know of nothing which has produced more human affliction than the French revolution. the expatriation of it’s numerous victims would probably furnish narratives of such varied misfortunes as...
170From Thomas Jefferson to James O. Morse, 30 April 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I must beg to be excused from answering the question proposed to me in your favor of the 11 th inst. on the subject of the Candidates named for the next Presidency. I lay it down as a law to myself to take no part in that election. advice on such an occasion, were I even qualified to give it, would incur a fearful responsibility. I shall be perfectly contented with any choice my fellow...
171To James Madison from James Monroe, 3 February 1823 (letter not found) (Madison Papers)
¶ From James Monroe. Letter not found. 3 February 1823 . Described as a three-page autograph letter, signed, listed for sale in the Charles Hamilton Catalogue No. 103 (24 Feb. 1977), item 161, summarized and abstracted as follows: “dealing with a post for Madison’s nephew, a constitutional matter concerning grants of power in which he is in apparent disagreement both with Madison and...
172To James Madison from James Monroe, 18 October 1824 (Madison Papers)
I returnd to the city lately to receive our old friend General La Fayette, who after remaining here a few days, set out on Saturday for Yorktown. He has I presume reachd that port by this time. He is in good health & spirits, and less alterd in his form, than I expectd, and not at all in his mind, unless by improvment. He appears to me to have a profound knowledge of mankind, & of the present...
173From John Adams to Alexander Bryan Johnson, 22 April 1823 (Adams Papers)
I admire your checks and bridles which you call maxims. To allude to Bolingbrokes figure, Man is a Noble Animal he is a bucephalus that requires an Alexander to ride him, And I believe he could not, without whip, spurs, and bridle. But of all the whips spurs and bridles, those of the Priests are the most detestable; and those of the Presbyterians are not much better, than those of the...
174Thomas Jefferson’s Thoughts on Lotteries, ca. 20 Jan. 1826, 20 January 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Thoughts on Lotteries, and that on particularly which is now asked It is a common idea that games of chance are immoral. but what is Chance? nothing happens in this world without a cause. if we know the cause , we do not call it chance; but if we do not know it we say it was produced by Chance. if we see a lo a ded die turn it’s lightest side up, we know the cause and that it is not an effect...
175Robert Mills to Thomas Jefferson, 28 August 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to enclose you my pamphlet on the Internal Improvement of South Carolina , with the expression of the sincerest esteem and the highest respect for your exalted character.—Should your leisure at any time admit of your perusing it, I shall be gratified, and I trust that I shall have written nothing but what will meet with your approbation—If I shall appear to be too sanguine, attribute...
176From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Welsh, 29 September 1818 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your Letter of yesterday I readily agree that the board of my two Sons residing with you should be for the ensuing year at the rate of five dollars a week each, and I beg you and Mrs. Welsh and Miss Harriet to accept our warmest thanks for your unvarying kindness to them— I am with the strongest respect and attachment Dear Sir / Faithfully Yours MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
177To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 10 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
Although my health is very indifferent, and my eyes soo weak and dim, that within a fortnight, I could Scarce affect any thing, either by labour or in writing—yet I must indulge the gratification of thanking you, for the few affectionate lines with which your kindness favoured me with. My Physician Says—all will be Soon well—the chief remedies are—abstinentia et quiete.Was your life less...
178Thomas Jefferson to Hugh Steel, 28 May 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Apr. 12. came to hand on the 23 d instant. withdrawn by the effect of age, from the labors of correspondence to which that has rendered me unequal, I am able only to forward your letter and communication to a member of the American Philosophical society at Philadelphia . it is long since I resigned the office of their President, and D r Wistar , who succeeded me is lately dead,...
179From Thomas Jefferson to Justin Pierre Plumard Derieux, 25 September 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 10 th was not recieved till the instant, and I regret that it is not in my power to send you the Egyptian wheat which is the subject of your letter. I recieved it while I lived in Washington, and having no means of taking care of such things there, I generally sent them to some one of my careful neighbors. I do not recollect to whom of them I sent this particular article, but...
180From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 4 September 1824 (Adams Papers)
I was so much occupied during my stop at Borden Town I could not answer your Letter therefore busy myself here having nothing to do with all the nonsense I can think of for pastime. You can easily conceive, the dreariness of my situation travelling alone with your father who though more of a than I can recollect since the earliest period of our marriage is still too much of a Statesman to be...
181From John Quincy Adams, 7 October 1819 (Adams Papers)
I John Quincy Adams of Boston in the County of Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Esquire, do make and declare this to be my last Will and Testament. I give and bequeath to my eldest Son George Washington Adams, all that real Estate in Quincy, in the County of Norfolk, known by the name of the Mount-Wollaston Farm, conveyed to me by my honoured father, by his Deed dated the twenty-third...
182To Thomas Jefferson from Judah Dobson, 29 September 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this day handed to John Vaughan Esq. who has kindly undertaken to forward them, three vols. of the Memories de la Societé Royale d’Agriculture ,” together with three pamphlets, which were sent me from Paris by M. Michaux, with a request that they should be sent to you. MHi .
183Peter Poinsot to Thomas Jefferson, 24 June 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
Je profite de la Goëlette Fénélon C a pitaine Mayhew de Fairhaven faisant voile pour Norfolk , pour avoir lhonneur de vous écrire. Je n’ai pas été assez heureux d’être favorisé du Succés de la demande que je vous ai addressée par ma lettre du 7 Juin 1819 à Son Excellence M r
184From John Adams to Robert J. Evans, 14 February 1820 (Adams Papers)
As the Anecdote of Mr Paine seemes to be have given you some amusement, I will give you another which affords me no Satisfaction upon reflection I was the first person who brought that Wild Man into Notice public notice—his Pamphlet called Common Sense, I thought proved him to be a Smart fellow—and I was informed he was totally distitute of the means of support—and as he had the pen of a ready...
185From James Madison to William C. Somerville, 22 May 1823 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison presents his respects to Mr. Somerv⟨ille⟩ with thanks for the volume on the past & present S⟨tate⟩ of France, recieved with his letter of the 9th. instant. Oth⟨er⟩ engagements have not permitted him to give it more than desultory glances. From these he thinks himself warranted in inferring a diligence of research, and a spirit of observation in the Author, from which a valuable work...
186Peter Poinsot to Thomas Jefferson, 12 September 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
D’aprés la lettre de recommandation de mon digne ami feu General Kosciuzsko de Soleure du 3 Juin 1817 que j’eus lhonneur de vous addresser le 25 suivant , avec le plan & Copie de mes terres par duplicata: N’ayant pas eu l’honneur d’être favorisé de vos nouvelles Je me permis de vous écrire le 18 mai d er sur le même Sujet, en me référant à leur contenu. Je me permets de joindre inclus une...
187To Thomas Jefferson from Giacomo Raggi, 25 December 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived at this place on the 11 th Instant. I did not immediately send you the enclosed, because I thought before this to have seen you, but I have been awaiting the arrival of a Ship from Livourne with some of my work in marble on board. I. think that all the marble caps will be in the first ship which arrives here. After the marble pieces arrive & the season becomes fine I shall be with...
188From John Quincy Adams to Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt, 26 March 1826 (Adams Papers)
I return the enclosed letter according to your desire, painfully regretting, that I can not consistently with my sense of my duties, comply with the wish of the writer; and yours in his behalf. The reasons of this I cannot fully explain to you, but I trust you will be assured they are not incompatible with that ardent and sincere affection to which you so forcibly appeal, & the power of which...
189To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Lee, 26 August 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I am unwilling that my enthusiasm in favour of your university should not be effectively known to you, I therefore take occasion, even at the risk of tasking your condescension & patience, to mention that in addition to M r Wallace who is now at the university, the two Browns, Richard & Frederick, are removed from the college here, & are to be sent at my instance, from to the University. I...
190Joseph C. Cabell to Thomas Jefferson, 11 February 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
In my last I informed you that we then contemplated the plan of asking the Legislature to give the University the surplus revenue of the Literary Fund to the amount of $7200, which would be equivalent to the release of the debt. M r Johnson & myself had thought by this expedient we should get clear of the commitment of our friends in the House of Delegates against any scheme which would go to...
191William Wood to Thomas Jefferson, 22 February 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
Herewith I send you the receipts for the flour of yours lately carryed by my Boatmen , with a request that, you will forward me a draft by the Bearer for the amount of the freight thereof, which Mr Bacon informed me was the mode of payment prefered by you I am very respectfully NB the price of freight is 4/ per barrel RC ( MHi ); postscript adjacent to closing and signature; dateline at foot...
192Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Garland, 20 September 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
Altho I am to return to this place again within three weeks, and then to remain here till December, yet not having had the pleasure of seeing you while here I think it a duty to say something as to my expectations of discharging my debt to mr Millar . I have already made sales o f some property and expect to recieve a part of the money in all October , which will enable me to pay you 800. or...
193To James Madison from George Joy, 2 February 1822 (Madison Papers)
I purchased, some three years ago, the first volume of the Histoire de l’Esprit revolutionaire des nobles en France, and left an Order with my french Bookseller here to send me the second as soon as it should arrive; intending after perusal to pass them to you. To various enquiries since, I have received various answers—the last of which was that they did not believe it would be published at...
194From Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton, 27 March 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
copy of Paragraph from The Presid’s lre of Mar. 22. and extract from my answer of this day. MHi .
195From James Madison to Robert S. Garnett, 11 February 1824 (Madison Papers)
The Mail brought me the evg. before the last, your favor of the 5th. with the copy of the “New Views &c.” for which I tender my acknowledgements. I must put off the reading of such a work till it may be subject to less interuption than would at this time be unavoidable. From a glance at a few passages in the outset, I do not doubt that more competent lights as to the proceedings of the...
196Thomas Jefferson to Lewis D. Belair, 9 December 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Nov. 26. is recieved and enables me to ascertain the amount of the cost of the books I have rec d and those I wish now to be forwarded, and I accordingly inclose you 90. Dollars in bills of the bank of the US. in Philadelphia . I shall subjoin the list of the books, and the prices as I read them in your several letters. you will observe that I desire a 2 d copy of Planche ’s...
197J.N. Davis: Lists the mail schedule for Fredericksburg, Richmond, and Lynchburg, 24 Mar. 1823, 24 March 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Fredericksburg Mail arrives Tuesday & thursday 8 Am & Saturday 6 pm departs Monday Wednesday & Friday 3 pm Richmond Mail Arrives Tuesday 8 Am & Wednesday & Saturday 6 pm departs Tuesday 6 Am. Wednesday 3 pm & Saturday 6 Am Lynchburg Mail Arrives Sunday 6 pm departs Thursday 10 Am MoSHi : Thomas Jefferson Collection (formerly Bixby).
198From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 22 July 1822 (Adams Papers)
July 22 Major and Mrs. Jackson Mr Ewing and Mr. N. Biddle called on us, all of them talking of nothing but your rejoinder, which is thought even better of than the remarks—They told me to tell you that there was no dissenting voice on the subject, and Mr. R. was universally condemned—He is quite Kilt so dont disturb him, but let him get what rest he can under such circumstances—George Harrison...
199From Edward Everett to George Washington Adams, 10 November 1826 (Adams Papers)
A valued friend at the South who has already Made A considerable Collection of Autographs is desirous of extendg it & has Asked My assistance to that End. It has Occurred to Me that You C’d help him to that of y’r late Venerable grandfather, w’h is one of those he is Most desirous of procuring. The Smallest Specimen w’d be Acceptable to him. Could you procure & furnish Me such a specimen...
200To Thomas Jefferson from F. Sales, 17 November 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Ever since the publication of the first Edition of Tosse’ Spanish Grammar I have had a wish to present you with a copy, as the great and venerable patron of the arts and sciences in this splendid Republic, and more especially as the illustrious and undaunted asserter and supporter of the rights of man; but the fear of intruding my humble efforts at being useful to so high and dignified a...
201Joel Yancey to Thomas Jefferson, 26 May 1822, with Jefferson’s Notes (Jefferson Papers)
M r Bowcock was overseer for you last year at tomahawk , and was entitled to Sixteen barrels of corn as his share, which at the request of M r Randolph I bought of him for the use of the plantation at two dollars ⅌ barrel, and he expected the money when M r Randolph
202From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 5 October 1817 (Adams Papers)
On the 22d. of September, the day upon which I entered on the Execution of the duties of my Office, I received your Letter of the 16th. which the pressure of business prevented me from answering immediately—Your mother however answered it for me, and now that I am enabled to catch a moment of leisure, I take advantage of it to write to you myself. Your remarks upon Mr Gilman’s discourses which...
203To Thomas Jefferson from Mary Randolph, 17 March 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you permit me my dear Sir to offer a copy of a book which my necessities compelled me to publish, and which I shall be much gratified to know meets with your approbation. With sincere wishes for the continuance of your health receive the venerating esteem of MHi .
204Thomas Jefferson to Robert Taylor and Chapman Johnson, 16 May 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
We regretted much your absence at the late meeting of the board of Visitors , but did not doubt it was occasioned by uncontroulable circumstances. as the matters which came before us were of great importance to the institution , I think it a duty to inform you of them. You know the sanction of the legislature to our borrowing 60,000 D on the pledge of our annuity of 15,000.D. the Literary...
205Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 26 December 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
It is long indeed, my very dear friend, since I have been able to address a letter to you. for more than two years my health has been so entirely prostrate, that I have, of necessity intermitted all correspondence. the dislocated wrist too, which perhaps you may recollect, has now become so stiff from the effect of age, that writing is become a slow and painful operation, & scarcely ever...
206To James Madison from George Joy, 5 February 1823 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you on the 30th Ult: to take the first Conveyance from London or Liverpool; and I now find my Letter will go by the Packet of the 8th Inst. from the latter port, for which this may possibly be in time. I ought to have added, as I had here no Copy of my Letter to Captn. Pott, that my Instructions to him were to change the direction of the parcel from his name to yours and either send it...
207To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Woodbury, 11 June 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose to you a Review of Mr. Adams Oration in D. 1821. and my Message to the Legislature of this State in D. 1823— Your acceptance of these will be very grateful to me—As one of the venerable founders of our Independence I am anxious to learn from you, if either Josiah Bartlett or Wm Whipple, the delegates from this State who signed the declaration of Independence, took any active part in...
208From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 22 October 1824 (Madison 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. Yrs. affecty RC ( ViU : Special Collections); FC ( DLC ). Minor differences between the copies have not been...
209James Leitch to Thomas Jefferson, 12 November 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Dinsmore has this Day Communicated to me that Cha s Stewart is anxious & willing to go & Acquire a knowledge of the Hosiery Business— knowing your Anxiety for an Establishment of that kind here I have talked over the Subject with Cap t Garrett as to Sending him. he Joins me in approving of the appointment. Should you Concur in Opinion you will please Send the necessary Introduction to M r...
210To John Adams from Ward Nicholas Boylston, 27 April 1823 (Adams Papers)
My Dear and ever Honor’d And beloved Father and And Friend—For such I shall ever consider you.—it greives & mortifies me to think I am obliged to leave this place tomorrow Morning without the Happiness of seeing you—my Health for sometime back has been miserable indeed— I have rode out but twice, & that but a short distance, since last Thursday week; and since that , I found as much as I could...