1Jared Sparks: Notes on conversations with James Madison, 19 April 1830 (Madison Papers)
The apportionment of taxation in the old states of 3/5 for slaves was decided rather from accident, than any accurate calculation. The subject caused much debate in Congress. The east and the south differed. The former was for a high ratio, the latter for a low;—¼, ½, 2/3 were proposed and rejected. At length Mr Madison proposed 3/5, which was accepted, & he still thinks it very near the true...
2John Hollins to Thomas Jefferson, 4 August 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
The Rev d M r Sparks , the bearer of this, being on his travels in your part of Virg a and naturally feeling a desire to have an introduction to your worthy self—I have at the request of some of your friends, & my particular acquaintances, used the freedom to address you a few lines, introducing that Gentleman to your usual civilities & politeness=it is true I have no personal knowledge of M r...
3Jared Sparks to Thomas Jefferson, 18 September 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope you will pardon the liberty I take in sending you a work, which I have lately published, and which accompanies this note. I know not whether the sentiments advanced in it agree in any respect with yours; but should you have leisure & inclination to look it over, I trust you will not be displeased with its manner & spirit. You will at least be ready to countenance any fair and liberal...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Jared Sparks, 13 January 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope you will pardon me for the liberty I take in sending you the last number of the North American Review. I have thought you might be pleased to see an article, which I have there drawn up, on the subject of colonizing free blacks in Africa. The interest, which you formerly took in the subject, encourages me to this belief. In another part of the work, (p. 163) you will see I have made...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Jared Sparks, 13 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your kind favor of 8 th ult o reached me in Raleigh, and I write to thank you for the willingness you express to promote my project of a history of the Revolution. As my tour has already been much longer in duration than I expected, and as pressing duties at home demand my speedy return, I am compelled for the present to deny myself the pleasure of the visit to Monticello, which I...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Jared Sparks, 3 April 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
For some time past I have been contemplating a publication on the American Revolution, intended to embrace the substance of the most authentic materials, particularly such manuscript papers & documents, as have not yet been made public. In perusing the histories of the revolution hitherto written, I have been forcibly impressed with the belief, that the best of them exhibit only the shadows of...
7Jared Sparks to Thomas Jefferson, 20 August [1820] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Sparks accepts with pleasure Mr. Jefferson ’s invitation to dinner at 3 oclock. His friend and travelling companion, Mr. Steell of Baltimore will accompany him. RC ( NNPM ); partially dated; dateline at foot of text; addressed: “ Thomas Jefferson . Esqr. Montecello ”; endorsed by TJ as a letter of 20 Aug. 1820.
8Jared Sparks to Thomas Jefferson, 12 November 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
In addressing you I am not certain that I do not take an inexcusable liberty, but it is one, which I am prompted to take, by the interest I feel in the subject respecting which I am about to make some inquiries. I observe in your Life of Capt. Lewis , prefixed to Lewis & Clarke ’s Travels, a short notice of our unfortunate countryman, Ledyard . I have always been an ardent admirer of this...
9To James Madison from Jared Sparks, 22 May 1827 (Madison Papers)
After my return to Mount Vernon I looked through the letter books, and noted down the dates of all the letters recorded as having been sent to you by General Washington. The list is enclosed. Should you find upon inspection, that you possess letters of importance not comprised in this list, I hope you will have the goodness to furnish me with copies of the same. The letter dated Jany. 1789,...
10Jared Sparks to James Madison, 30 March 1831 (Madison Papers)
Having recently engaged to write a life of Gouverneur Morris, which is to be published with a selection from his writings, I take the liberty to apply to you for a few hints respecting the part he acted in the Convention of 1787. From several quarters I have understood, that he was an active member, and had a good deal of weight and influence, but the published account of that convention is so...