26971To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Lynch, 20 November 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
I receiv’d your favour dated Philadelphia Oct. 26th by the Express. In answer thereto I assure you I have not the least doubt but we shall be able to procure that Necessary article of Salt Petre if Attended to. I find Gentlemen here loath to risk as much cash as wou’d Make the Necessary preperations. I have been kept back my self by sickness in my famely, and have been much indispos’d my self....
26972To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Pendleton, 16 November 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
Former labours in Various Public emploiements now appear as recreations compared with the present, which affords a scanty allowance for food and sleep; I mention this as an Appology to you and my other freinds for not having wrote more frequently. The Committee having now Adjourned for a fortnight, I am at home and mean to write for Next Post as I set out on a small mountain excursion...
26973To Thomas Jefferson from John Page, 11 November 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank God I am now so well that I could venture to write you a long Letter if a Multiplicity of Business did not render it impossible. But I will make the best Use of my Time and scribble you some fugitive Sentences. I wrote to Col. Nelson and you by the Post before the last, giving some Account of the Norfolk and Hampton Affairs. I can assure that our young Soldiers behaved extremely well,...
26974To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Carter Nicholas, 10 November 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
I was favour’d with your Letter the other Day by Mrs. Randolph . We had before her Arrival heard of the death of our worthy Friend. The great Load of Business I have had on Hand ever since the Convention obliged me to confine my Correspondence to him, knowing that he would communicate my Letters to the rest of the Associates. The infamous Practice of opening all Letters passing thro’ the...
26975To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Eppes, 10 November 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
I was so much ingaged last week in watching the motions of his Lordships Tenders, that I was depriv’d the pleasure of writing to you, three of which came up the length of James Town, and were haild by some of our riflemen, and not answering were fired upon by them, another report says the Tenders fired first, and attemted to and some men, but were prevented by eight rifle men, for there are no...
26976To Thomas Jefferson from John Walker, [ca. October 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
I am thus far on my way to attend the Business of my Indian department at Salisbury and have just recollected a duty I owe a very worthy Man; the case in short is this. Mr. John Gibson a very worthy and clever Man, the man thro’ whom Lord Dunmore hoped to have carryed on a Correspondance with the Indians in the middle district and who nobly disdaining any such dirty business immediately...
26977To Thomas Jefferson from Archibald Cary, 31 October 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the Pleasure of yours of the 17th Instant last night by Post, am much obliged to you for it. As well as yourself I am much at a loss why Gage &c. should be sent for, and cannot judge whether it Augurs Good or Evel; but my Fears are that no Good Can Happen to America from any Orders of Those in Power on the other side the Atlantick. I think very much depends on the Success of the...
26978Commission as Lieutenant of Albemarle, 26 September 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
The COMMITTEE of SAFETY for the Colony of VIRGINIA To Thomas Jefferson Esquire By Virtue of the Power and Authority invested in us, by the Delegates and Representatives of the several Counties and Corporations in General Convention assembled, we, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Fidelity, Courage, and good Conduct, do, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to...
26979To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Walker and Others, 13 September 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
After a very disagreeable, wet and fateagueing Journey, we got here on the 10th Inst. the day appointed for opening the Treaty, but found scarcely any Indians here. We have dispatched runners to meet them and hope they will be in soon. We are told that the Shawnese and Delawares are on their way, but can not hear a tittle of the Wiandotts, from which circumstance ’tis feared that they have...
26980To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 31 August 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
No new Occurrence at Cambridge can justify an Intrusion on the well-employ’d Moments of a Delegate. I must, however, urge you, to assign a Reason for the Supineness of Virginia, amidst the Robberies, and other Violations of private Property, said to have been committed by Lord Dunmore. He plunders Custom-Houses, and reviews his Body-Guard at Gosport, unarrested. What is the Conclusion from...
26981To Thomas Jefferson from John Randolph, 31 August 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved ten Guineas of the Treasurer and have left the Violin with Mr. Cocke of Wmsburg. I wish I had had a Case for it. Tho we may politically differ in Sentiments, yet I see no Reason why privately we may not cherish the same Esteem for each other which formerly I believe Subsisted between us. Should any Coolness happen between us, I’ll take Care not to be the first mover of it. We...
26982To Thomas Jefferson from St. George Tucker, 12 August 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
Were I certain that a Letter I addressed to you a few Weeks ago, by way of Virginia had been delivered to you, I should not have intruded on Business of greater Importance in which you may be at present engaged, a second Time. But lest any Accident should have happened thereto, I take the Liberty of enclosing you the Plan for continuing the Exports from America to foreign Markets, which I...
26983To Thomas Jefferson from George Gilmer, [26 or 27 July 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of the 5th Inst. this instant came to my hands in our encampment in Wallers Grove , the account of the battle at Charles town is pleasing, I wish it is true. It appears astonishing to me that some armed Vessel has not attempted to bring in powder &c. it certainly is practicable and wants proper encouragement only to put it in execution. Do order some of those Privateers to all the...
26984To Thomas Jefferson from Ebenezer Hazard, 30 June 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
Your very obliging Letter of 30th. April did not come to hand before a few Days ago, or it should have been answered sooner. I am happy that you coincide with me in Sentiment respecting the Utility of my Undertaking, and, judging of the whole from the Materials I am already possessed of, I cannot help thinking the Collection will be vastly more important than I at first imagined. The polite...
26985To Thomas Jefferson from St. George Tucker, 8 June 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
I must apologize to you for the Liberty I take in addressing you as a Member of the General Congress , but the Importance of the Occasion I hope will excuse it. I shall therefore without further prelude proceed to the Occasion of this Letter. The Island of Bermuda, by it’s detached Situation, by the Number of it’s Inhabitants, by its inconsiderable produce, and by the small progress made there...
26986To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 6 April 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my letter of yesterday, I have looked cursorily over all the charters in my office. Of those sent by Mr. Montagu the three which seem to concern the matter you are considering are the same that are in the appendix to Mr. Stith’s history and the other which is all that I have of them besides is an ordinance relating to the appointment of a council in England for the affairs of the colony....
26987To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 5 April 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
I do not know that the terms on which the crown engaged to grant the lands in Virginia are contained in any other charter than that by Car. ii. the 10. of Oct. 28 of his reign. The original, I believe although the seal is not now to it, I found in my office; and I understand it is recorded in the Secretary’s office. A copy of it I now inclose to be sent by the first opportunity. In the mean...
26988To Thomas Jefferson from Ebenezer Hazard, with Jefferson’s MS Memoranda, 23 August 1774 (Jefferson Papers)
As the Collection, mentioned in the Proposals annexed, is a Matter of Importance to the Colonies in general, and may answer valuable Purposes, I flatter myself you will think it not unworthy of your Patronage;-and therefore take the Liberty of soliciting your kind Assistance by favouring me with the Use of such suitable Papers, relating to your Colony, as it may be convenient for you to...
26989To Thomas Jefferson from John Hook, 12 May 1774 (Jefferson Papers)
I sent a Message to you by Mr. Steptoe offering you a small tract of Land laying between your Old and new tracts in this County, it was formerly the property of Saml. Brown, at £100 payable as follows, £40 to be paid [at the?] ensuing June or July Meeting of the Merchants in [Wil]lmsbg. and the Remainder by XMass or Aprl. 1775. Since then I have determined to write you by Mr. Ross , that I may...
26990To Thomas Jefferson from John Blair, 2 March 1774 (Jefferson Papers)
I have noted the Time of your Petitions coming into the Office, which will give them Priority when the Land Office is open. There is an Order of Council (but seldom I think complied with) that every Order for Land shall be entered in the Auditor’s Office, and he is to indorse on it that it is so. This was to be done previous to the surveying; I conceive, therefore, that if the Land be already...
26991To Thomas Jefferson from the Rev. James Madison, [1773?] (Jefferson Papers)
I know not in what Manner sufficiently to thank you for your kind offices . It is happy that Circumstance was mentioned, as it is probable it might otherwise have been of much Prejudice. Mr. Henley proposes going with me this Morning to Most of the Visitors, which with the Assistance of your previous Application and a Recommendatory Line from Mr. G——n I flatter myself, will ensure success. I...
26992To Thomas Jefferson from James Taylor, 20 August 1773 (Jefferson Papers)
There is no Such Will as Joseph Smiths Recorded in the County of Orange. I am Sr. Yr. Hble Servt., RC ( MHi ). Addressed: “To Thomas Jefferson Esqr. In Albemarle.” James Taylor was clerk of Orange co., 1772–1798 (Frederick Johnston, Memorials of Old Virginia Clerks , Lynchburg, 1888, p. 271).
26993To Thomas Jefferson from Charles McPherson, 12 August 1773 (Jefferson Papers)
I regret, exceedingly, that I have at this distance of time to answer your very polite letter of the 20th February. I only received it about the end of last month. It came under cover of a letter from Mr. Ninian Minzies, dated the 20th. May. I recollect, with pleasure, the acquaintance which I had with you in Virginia. I enjoy the thoughts of renewing that acquaintance; and I am much indebted...
26994XIII. Farell & Jones to Thomas Jefferson, 30 July 1773 (Jefferson Papers)
It is with great concern we have heard from Mr. Evans of the Death of our worthy Friend Mr. Wayles. We wrote him by the Virginian Capt. Emmes with a Copy of his Account Current but we find he died before that Ships arrival. As we apprehend you are Executor to his Will, we shall hope to hear from you soon and that the same Friendly and uninterupted Correspondence will subsist between us, as...
26995To Thomas Jefferson from John Wayles, 20 October 1772 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favour by […]st and thank you for the various intellig[ence. The?] Genl. Courts determination concern[ing] the devise of slaves must be attended w[ith] Mischievious consequences. I have hea[rd] nothing about dear Patty since you left this place. Our sale of Slaves go[es] on Slowly so ’tis uncertain when we shall be down but I suppose before the Rebel party leaves town. I am...
26996To Thomas Jefferson from John Lewis, 4 October 1772 (Jefferson Papers)
Have received yours by Col. Lewis’s Man, and find he has not deliver’d my mesage as I directed, should have wrote to you had I bin accquainted of his going, but happen’d to find him in his journey to you, and deliver’d this mesage—to ask you if you had taken Mr. Carrs, and Mr. Jno. Woodsons, diposisions, as I have formerly requested, being at so great distance from me which made it...
26997To Thomas Jefferson from Alexander McCaul, 8 July 1772 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yours of the 7th of Septr. last only the 10th of June last, and where it had been wandering all that time I am at a loss to know, but no doubt you would think me negligent not to answer you in course. I have not yet been able to procure for you a Gardiner, but have made application to a friend in the East Country and have little doubt of getting one for you to send you in our own...
26998To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Burke, 24 September 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
I have long laboured to do something with Mr. Taylor but almost in vain. Altho the Question is undoubtly of greatest Importance to him Viz. whether Colo. Tuckers Assets shall be legally or Illegally administered there is no Possibility of awakeing him to his Danger. All I have been able to do is to get a faint Consent from him to use his Name in Obtaining the Injunction or Interpleader. I have...
26999To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Skipwith, 20 September 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeable to my general fate I could not get here until some time after your departure. It is hard indeed that I should be continually disappointed of the company I delight in and which one would suppose I had the best opportunities of enjoying. Your obliging letter I have received and am much pleased with your deviation from the plan I proposed in the formation of a catalogue of books and am...
27000To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Burke, 19 August 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
I have your Favours of June and July 20th the first dated from Albermale the last from Williamsburg. I wish I had the Pleasure of Conferring with you when you were down but my business so Interposed it was not in my Power. The case of Plume vs. Portlock was thus, A Warrent of the Peace was Obtained vs. Plume, upon hearing the Court Continued the Recognizance. Costs Consequently accrued. Plume...