11To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 23 February 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yesterday from Mr. Key, a letter from D r Birkbeck of London, inclosing another from Mr. Harwood, of which I deem it my duty to apprize the visitors of the university. Mr. Harwood is the Lecturer on Natural History, at the Royal Institution, London. He was the only person I had any idea of employing in this department, of whom I could hear. His engagements however would not permit...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 14 February 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just received from Key the gratifying intelligence, that he, Bonnycastle, and Dunglison, are all in norfolk. They will be here early Wednesday morning, and in Charlottesville I suppose, by the Saturday’s stage. I had fixed on wednesday last, for setting out to albemarle. we had four days continued rain (& it is now raining) which will delay me another week. MoSHi : Francis Walker Gilmer...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 31 January 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Intelligence has at last reached us, that the Competitor is not lost; it put into Plymonth in the gale, & was there on the 8 th Dec r We may expect the professors every day. The delay is vexatious, but less distressing than the loss of the professors would have been. MoSHi : Francis Walker Gilmer Papers.
14To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 27 January 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I send by Mr. Garrett, a short report, such as my state of health enables me to make out at a sitting, without being irksome. I will enter into details when I see you, which shall be as soon as the roads are passable. I send also, a catalogue of the books & apparatus. Part only of the books have arrived. They should be opened without delay. Some delay I fear will occur, in sending a portion of...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 21 January 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Marx, in writing to me from London, nov r 6 th says, “the professors sailed in the Competitor.” He does not mention on what day. This gives them on any estimate, a voyage of near 80 days. Tho alarming, the case is not desperate. It grieves me however, that their delay, should frustrate our opening in Feby. which I knew you had so anxiously at heart. My recovery is constantly retarded by...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 13 January 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I have deferred writing to you, with the daily expectation of setting out to see you. My strength after so long a confinement naturally returns very slowly, and even now it would fatigue me too much to travel by the stage to Albemarle, nor can I consent to accept the private carriages which have been offered me. I am very desirous to see you, & to report to you fully my conduct, opinions &c....
17To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 26 December 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here on saturday after a very fatiguing journey from New York, staying two days in Baltimore, & as many in Norfolk. I did not write to you after receiving your last letter because I hoped to see you before this. I find myself so weak & so much exhausted by the Steam boats, that I think it imprudent to try the stages to charlottesville. as soon however as I can bear the journey I...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 4 December 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment received your letter of Nov r 30 th . most of the inquiries I had already answered by anticipation. I am sorry we cannot obtain Torrey, but believe Emmet will make quite as able a lecturer, on chemistry, he is superior. He will certainly accept it. I have seen him at my room. as to the law chair, I am utterly dismayed by the labour it will require, so soon after a long &...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 3 December 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
During my illness, which still confines me to my room, I have sounded Torrey, as to the Professorship of Natural history. With very high expectations from the university, he for particular reasons, prefers West Point. The next best person I can hear of, and undoubtedly superior to any I saw in Gr. B is D r J. P. Emmet, son of the eminent Counsel of New York. He I find will accept it with...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Walker Gilmer, 30 November 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I observe from the paper, that both the Trident, & the Columbia (Liverpool packet) have just arrived at this port, and no doubt our professors with them; but being too ill to be of any service to them, I may not perhaps see them. They could not at the time procure a passage to the Chesapeak. It may be of use to you in making fixtures for their reception, to know, that, Blaettermann has a wife...