6561From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Alexander Scammell Dearborn, 5 November 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of Oct. 29. informing me of the shipment of my stores to Col o Peyton; and I have this day desired him to remit you immediately the 73D.93C am t of freight, duties & other charges, which I trust will get safely to hand, and with my thanks for your kindness be pleased to accept the assurance of my great esteem and respect. DLC : Blair-Woodbury Family Papers.
6562Thomas Jefferson to Frederick C. Schaeffer, 7 January 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of Dec. 30. with a pamphlet on pauperism, and a request of my opinion on the subject. but the state of my health is such, as well as the injunctions of my physician as to oblige me to withdraw from the labors of the writing table, to which I am no longer equal. the evil of pauperism is great, and growing pari passu with our great cities, to which all the...
6563Thomas Jefferson’s Statement of Account with Philip Mazzei’s Estate, 5 April 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Dollars 1808. Oct. 7. paid M c Graw attorney in the suit for the lot 50. 1813. July 14. recieved the price of the lot on sale 6342. 6292 1817. July 14. Interest on 6292. D @ 6. p r cent. 4. years 1510.
6564From Thomas Jefferson to Oliver Parsons, 14 February 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of Jan. 29. in which you are pleased to request a copy of my works to be deposited in your library. I have never published any work but the Notes on Virginia, of which I have but a single copy, and they are now very rarely to be found. all other writings of mine have been of an official character, and are only to be found among the public documents of the times...
6565From Thomas Jefferson to Horatio Gates Spafford, 1 May 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Apr. 8. has been recieved. the gazetteer you are so kind as to propose sending to me may come safely by mail, and I return you, by anticipn, my thanks for this attention. my reading now is for amusement rather than instruction in the wane of body cannot be unattended with that of the mind. extreme debility has obliged me to retire from all other business, and the only serious...
6566To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 16 May 1824 (Madison Papers)
You will see by the inclosed letter from mr. Cabell that a project is in agitation respecting Wm. & Mary Coll. which gives him much alarm. I communicate to you the letter as he requests, and with it my answer, as shewing the point in which I view it. I will ask their return when read, that I may be enabled to lodge my answer in Richmd. before his arrival there. On the question of engaging a...
6567Thomas Jefferson to William Lambert, 2 July 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns his thanks to mr Lambert for the paper he has been so kind as to inclose to him for the University of Virginia , which shall be taken care of for that Institution. as to himself he has long since withdrawn his mind from all attention to difficult subjects, finding that lighter reading is more congenial with the quiet & repose which age and debility now render his summum...
6568From Thomas Jefferson to John Browne Cutting, 18 July 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I duly rec d your favor of the 9 th at which date it seems you had not rec d mine of the 2 d but as it must have got to hand very soon after I do not further answer your last. mine contained all the informn I possess and one document (the press copy) of your account) which in case of miscarriage, cannot be renewed. MHi .
6569Thomas Jefferson to Lewis D. Belair, 21 September 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments and thanks to mr Belair for the pamphlet he has been so kind as to send him on the Coalition and France . he sees with infinite pleasure that finest of all countries rising from her afflictions, and especially her acquisition of the freest and purest of all the European constitutions, which with her physical advantages cannot fail to enlarge and...
6570From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Bernard, 23 June 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you Sir for the copy of your Polyglot grammar which you have been so kind as to send me. the comparative view it presents of the grammars of diff t languages is curious and useful. I have looked over it with much satisfn and being withdrawn myself from the contempln of metaphysical subjects, (and none is more so than Grammar,) I am happy in having an oppty of placing it at once where...
6571Thomas Jefferson to William C. Rives, 28 November 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
The distresses of our country, produced first by the flood, then by the ebb of bank paper are such as cannot fail to engage the interposition of the legislature . many propositions will of course be offered, from all of which something may probably be culled to make a good whole. I explained to you my project, when I had the pleasure of possessing you here; and I now send it’s outline in...
6572From Thomas Jefferson to William Hilliard, 31 August 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 3 d was duly recieved, and 4. of the 5. boxes of books have come safely to hand. nothing is heard yet, I believe, of the 5 th probably the 4. might be as many as the waggon could take in, and the 5 th may await another conveyance. in that, I expect is contained the volumes of some of the works which are missing. but this is conjecture only, for I have been confined to the...
6573Thomas Jefferson to John Wood, 7 August 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of July 27. has been recieved here, with the copies of the Quaeres proposed for Bedford and Albemarle counties. in the former county I am so total a stranger that I know not a single person to whom I could commit it’s paper with any confidence of answers to it’s enquiries. but I will put it into the hands of some one better acquainted with the characters of the county. I shall...
6574Thomas Jefferson’s Explanations of the Three Volumes Bound in Marbled Paper (the so-called "Anas"), 4 February 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Explanations of the 3. volumes bound in Marbled paper In these 3. vols will be found copies of the official opinions given in writing by me to Gen l Washington , while I was Secretary of state, with sometimes the documents belonging to the case. some of these are the rough draughts, some press-copies, some fair ones. in the earlier part of my acting in that office I took no other note of the...
6575Thomas Jefferson to Nathaniel F. Moore, 22 September 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you, Sir, for the Remarks on the pronuntiation of the Greek language which you have been so kind as to send me. I have read them with pleasure, as I had the pamphlet of mr Pickering on the same subject. this question has occupied long & learned enquiry, and cannot, as I apprehend, be ever positively decided. very early in my classical days I took up the idea that the antient Greek...
6576Thomas Jefferson to Peter Stephen Chazotte, 29 December 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns his thanks to mr Chazotte for the copy he has been so kind as to send him of his Essay on the best method of teaching languages, and he sees with pleasure the great attention now shewn to facilitate the communication of instruction to youth. besides the good which each method offers in itself, it adds that of inducing others to improve on it, and the result must be happy...
6577From Thomas Jefferson to Jacob Abbot Cummings, 22 April 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last of the 9 th I have recieved representations from the faculty of our Professors, on the subject of the annual importations of the Periodicals desired by the Visitors. they say that to answer their views it is indispensable that they should come at shorter intervals, quarterly, for example, at least. I must therefore correct the request in that letter, and pray you to direct your...
6578Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Gilmore, 12 May 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Colclaser delivered me the note you left with him. I should not have occasion for constant employment of a person in your line at present however I should be glad to employ in you in putting up a wooden wall at the West end of my large mill instead of the stone one which must be taken down, and in building my sawmill on this side of the river , where also I propose to erect a geered...
6579Thomas Jefferson to Rejoice Newton, 8 December 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I owe my thanks to the American Antiquarian society for the honor done me some time ago since, in electing me a member of their useful and much respected society, of which I recieve a diploma attested by yourself. I accept it as a mark of their good will, and not with the hope of meriting it by any service I can render. I may say with Seneca ‘ senex sum, et curis levissimis impar .’ age and...
6580Thomas Jefferson to James P. Preston, 1 December 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
In obedience to the law establishing the University of Virginia the Visitors of that institution , at their last meeting of Oct. 4. agreed to a Report on the disbursements, funds and condition of the University , which they instructed me to authenticate, and transmit, with the documents therein referred to, to the President and Directors of the Literary fund . this duty I now perform. Since...
6581Thomas Jefferson to Nicholas Biddle, 20 February 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns thanks to mr Biddle for his very able and instructive address to an Agricultural audience, and is pleased to see the stores of science so happily blended with science. practice. it will surely produce a salutary excitement among our farmers and especially at a moment when the habitual Cannibalism of Europe promises a demand for bread with their blood. he salutes mr Biddle...
6582Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Eston Randolph, 15 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 10 th was handed to me yesterday afternoon only when the Shadwell mills were built, the rent was settled on great enquiry made in this state as well as in those North of us, at one out of every 24. Barrels of flour expected to be manufactured, and to be taken at the place of sale. we supposed the Shadwell mills would manufacture 5000. Barrels of which, according to this...
6583Receipt from Thomas Jefferson to Arthur S. Brockenbrough, 22 November 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
1821 November 22 Rece d of the Proctor of the University of Virginia his Df t on the Bursar for One hundred and fifty Dollars for a Hoisting Machine for the use of the said University MS ( ViU: TJP-PP ); in a clerk’s hand, signed by TJ; endorsed in same clerk’s hand: “Hoisting Machine to Thomas Jefferson 22
6584Thomas Jefferson to Archibald Stuart, 15 March 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 9 th was delivered by mr Cosby . you will have seen, by the advertisement I took the liberty of inclosing you, the ground on which these applications are placed. his success will depend on the terms he offers; and so far as character may decide in competitions otherwise equal, his cannot be on more favorable foundation than that of your recommendation and Chancellor Brown’s...
6585Thomas Jefferson to Louis H. Girardin, 26 December 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 13 th never came to hand till yesterday evening, and as mr Hall presses you in time I lose none in forwarding you the 1 st vol. of Botta. if you should conclude to translate it, the other volumes shall be sent successively as they shall be wanting. Botta gives a list of the authorities he consulted: but in fact has chiefly followed Marshal & often merely translated him in...
6586From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Jefferson Smith, 21 February 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
This letter will, to you be as one from the dead, the writer will be in the grave before you can weigh it’s counsels. your affectionate and excellent father has requested that I would address to you something which might possibly have a favorable influence on the course of life you have to run, and I too, as a namesake, feel an interest in that course. few words will be necessary with good...
6587Enclosure: Thomas Jefferson’s Sawing Instructions for James Martin, [ca. 11 February 1820] (Jefferson Papers)
200 f. of ½ I. plank of any width and length 200 . f. of ¾ I. d o d o 300 . f. of 1.I. d o
6588Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 16 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed to you by mr William C. Preston a young gentleman of this state, either son, or nephew (I know not which) to the gentleman of that name with whom you served in Congress about 1792. I do not know him personelly, but learn from those who do, and in whom I have confidence, that he is of excellent talents, and perfect integrity. his standing in this state is high, and he will...
6589Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton, 14 July 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
The periods for the renewal of my notes in the Farmer’s & US. bank s approaching I inclose you the two of 3000.D. each for those banks which you have heretofore been so kind as to attend to, to which I add another to the US. bank for 2250.D. heretofore endorsed by mr Gibson , but now by my grandson to relieve mr Gibson , mr Marx having informed me that this change would be admitted. I shall be...
6590Thomas Jefferson to Patrick Gibson, 18 October 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
After long delay for want of a tide we were enabled by the last rain to send off by Johnson ’s boats 106. (I think) barrels of flour to be delivered to you. from the mill too I expect mr T. E. Randolph has sent, or will immediately send 50. barrels of toll rent flour. besides placing you in safety as to my curtailments, these remittances will put you in funds to meet a draught I must make on...
6591Thomas Jefferson to Tench Coxe, 13 October 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Aug. 4 . was handed to me by mr Skinner whom I recieved with great pleasure, as well on account of his merit, as of your recommendation. I valued it the more as it has furnished me an occasion to renew recollections of our antient friendship, and to assure you that time has neither weaned nor weakened it with me. we were fellow laborers indeed in times not to be forgotten. a...
6592Thomas Jefferson to Thomas M. Hall, 12 April 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of the 1 st and shall place that with those which it covered for the future attentio n of the Visitors of the University . but we are far, very far as yet from the appointment of professors. our buildings may be finished within two or three years, but our funds will then be left burthened with a debt which they will not discharge in many years. the Legislature...
6593Thomas Jefferson to John G. Jackson, 27 December 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I feel with great sensibility, the kind interest you are so good as to express on the subject of my health. my trial of the Warm springs was certainly ill-advised. for I went to them in perfect health, and ought to have reflected that remedies of their potency must have effect some way or other. if they find disease they remove it; if none, they make it. altho’ I was reduced very low, I mi may...
6594From Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton, 18 April 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall set out in 3. or 4. days for Bedford, and not having money for the road, & having also some petty nbhood debts I have drawn on you this day for 140.D. in fav r Jacobs and Raphael. I hope on my arrival in Bedf d to find my tob o crop beginning to be ready to go down. I shall be absent about a fortnight. I owe mr Rawlings for the fire insur ce co. 84.40 which I gave him reason to expect...
6595Thomas Jefferson to David Knight, [12] August 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved your letter two or three days only before I sat out for this place, which occasioned my delaying the answer till I should arrive here. I shall be glad to have your aid in the brickwork, as well of the building we are now preparing to erect as in those to be erected the ensuing summer. they are going on well in making the brick, and will have them all ready by the middle of next...
6596From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 22 February 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Our Colleagues on the legislature have called a meeting of the Visitors for the 4 th of March. I presume they have notified you of it by mail; but lest they should not have done so, I have thought it safe to inform you. Our newly arrived Professors will come up in our Thursday’s stage. mr Cabell writes me that they were much pleased with them in Richmond. we are equally so with the two here. I...
6597Thomas Jefferson to James Clarke, 19 January 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
On my return from Bedford lately I had the misfortune to lose the rod and ratchet wheel which communicates motion from the wheel of the carriage to the Odometer; and I had not been thoughtful enough to note the number of teeth in that wheel, their form, or the size of the wheel. I am obliged therefore to request you to draw for me on paper, or on a card the exact diagram of that wheel wh ich,...
6598From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Walker Gilmer, 4 December 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 28 th ult. and I this day write to mr Anderson, Comptroller, for instructions to the Collector to exempt the books of the Professors from duty; and I inclose to mr Thomson the Collector of New York the Comptroller’s letter to me promising to give him such instructions. this will prevent embarrasment should they arrive before the instructions get to hand....
6599From Thomas Jefferson to William Cabell Rives, 28 January 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of the 13 th I expressed to you my great pleasure in the hope you were about taking up and improving the plan of the primary schools. in this I was sincere, being equally impressed with their importance as with that of the University. a letter however which I have just recieved from mr Cabell, explaining the present state of things, converts me to his opinion as to the question of...
6600From Thomas Jefferson to Arthur S. Brockenbrough, 8 November 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
The Collector of Boston has forwarded to me the inclosed papers, which belonging to the account of the caps and bases of the Portico of the Rotunda. I lodge them with you Accept my friendly salutations DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
6601From Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Kean, 27 January 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I most sincerely regret your determination to leave us and at the very moment too when the state of things is commencing which would enable you to judge of the expediency of continuing. I had really hoped we were secure in the possession of your medical aid in this neighborhood. I have remaining but a short term of life. that may be expected to be made up of infirmities., which I had hoped...
6602From Thomas Jefferson to Arthur S. Brockenbrough, 22 April 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Dinsmore consulted me yesterday on the entablature of the Rotunda & of it’s windows. I reviewed them , and find no reason to substitute any other than that of my original drawing for the main entablature, which was that of Palladio Book. 1. Pl. 26. taking the base however from his plate 23. that of Pl. 25. having too much work as well as that of the Pantheon. I have examined carefully all...
6603Thomas Jefferson to Francis Glass, 8 August 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of July 16. is duly recieved, and not holding a ready Latin pen, I must acknolege it in humble English. I doubt whether in this country we have Latin readers enough to make a life of Washington , in that language, a saving enterprise. it would be more read in foreign cou n tries, a nd especially in the Northern ones of Europe . however, on this you would of course take the previous...
6604Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 17 May 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I duly re cieved, on my late return to this place your acceptable favor of Apr. 22. in looking back on past life the greatest pleasure I feel, is in recollections of the friends who have been my fellow-laborers, & my greatest happiness in the harmony and affection in which I lived & parted with them. of the manner in which your command in the army was made to cease, no one felt stronger...
6605To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 30 January 1821 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter to mr. Cabell so fully explains it’s object, and the grounds on which your signature to the paper is proposed if approved, that I will spare my stiffening & aching wrist the pain of adding more than the assurance of my constant & affectte. friendship. We the subscribers, visitors of the University of Virginia being of opinion that it will be to the interest of that...
6606Thomas Jefferson to Charles Willson Peale, 18 February 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Jan. 15. is recieved, and I am indebted to you for others; but the torpitude of increasing years, added to a stiffening wrist making writing a slow & painful operation, makes me also a slow correspondent. I promised you a plough so long ago that I dare say you have forgot it: but I have this day sent it to Richmond to be forwarded to you. I claim nothing in it but the mould board...
6607Thomas Jefferson to John Vaughan, 14 February 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I know your love of science, and therefore set you down as one of the patrons and well wishers of our University , and willing to render it such good offices as may lie in your way. on this ground I inclose you a draft of the US. bank in Richmond on the Farmer & Mechanics bank of Philadelphia for 400. Dollars, which sum I pray you to remit to Thomas Appleton of Leghorn . it is on account of...
6608From Thomas Jefferson to Philip I. Barziza, 21 March 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry to learn by your fav r of the 10 th that the issue of your claims on the property of your grand mother has been unfavble, and has obliged you to look for subsistence to the barren, & unpromising resources of the govmt. I have almost universally declined becoming a sollicitor before them for appmts to office. it is embarrassing to them and to myself unspeakably unpleasant. but it...
6609Thomas Jefferson to Frederick A. Mayo, 30 November 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just made up two boxes of pamphlets which I send to Milton to be forwarded to you by the boats of that place so soon as the state of the river will permit. these contain 39 volumes of which 38. are to be half bound only, moderately gilt on the backs, lettered according to the papers stuck in them respectively, corresponding with the list on the next page, th and their leaves to be...
6610Thomas Jefferson to Richard Randolph, 13 May 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Apr. 10. was recieved in due time as had been some time before the 6. barrels of water proof cement from you. I had already laid in as much Roman cement as did my 2 d & 3 d Cisterns, with a barrel surplus towards the 4 th and last. the 2 d and 3 d were done under the superintendance of mr Coffee , and with perfect success. we opened a barrel of yours and he tried several fair and...