23051From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 10 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
To answer the question in your letter of the 4th. I must observe that neither the number of the fine arts, nor the particular arts entitled to that appellation have been fixed by general consent. many reckon but five Painting, sculpture, architecture, music & poetry. to these some have added Oratory, including, within that, Rhetoric which is the art of style & composition. others again, add...
23052From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 23 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I am several letters in your debt, but I am in hopes that age and occupation will privilege me against your counting letter for letter rigorously with me. the loss of your geraniums shall be replaced. I have this day planted a sprig in a small & very portable pot of earth. you give a bad account of the patriotism of the ladies of Williamsburg who are not disposed to submit to the small...
23053From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 12 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you some poetry, but am not sure whether I may not have sent you the same pieces before. my letters to your Mama will have informed you of my having been indisposed with a swelled face. it rose, suppurated, and has left me with a hard swelling still on the jawbone, which however I am in hopes will go down. it still confines me to the house for fear cold should affect it. otherwise I am...
23054Thomas Jefferson to Ellen W. Randolph (Coolidge), 16 January 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I confess, my dearest Ellen , you have reason to think I have too long neglected the acknolegement of your letter of Dec. 12. which was 10 days on it’s passage. but negligence has not been the cause of this tardy answer. I have waited in daily expectation of remitting you at the same time the money for the busts of the President and of mr Madison , which I will gladly take. the fact is that...
23055From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 8 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I believe it is true that you have written me 2. letters to my one to you. whether this proceeds from your having more industry or less to do than myself I will not say. one thing however I will say that I most sincerely wish to be with you all, and settle the point vivâ voce (if you do not understand these two Latin words, you must lay Jefferson’s Latin under contribution that you may know...
23056From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 20 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letter to you stated the plants which had been sent, & I was in hopes, after you had been enabled to distinguish them, you would have informed me of their respective conditions. but no post has arrived for this week from Milton & consequently no letter from you. in about three weeks I hope to be with you, and then we shall properly be devoted to the garden. what has become of mrs...
23057From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 3 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
As you insist I shall write you one more letter before my departure this is to inform you that altho’ I have not entirely abandoned the hope of setting out on the 5th. yet I think it more probable I shall be detained to the 6th. so that if I do not catch you in bed on Sunday, expect it on Monday. Your’s affectionately MHi : Coolidge Collection.
23058From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 30 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved two letters from you since I left Monticello. by Davy I sent you a pair of Bantam fowls; quite young: so that I am in hopes you will now be enabled to raise some. I propose on their subject a question of natural history for your enquiry: that is whether this is the Gallina Adrianica, or Adria, the Adriatick cock of Aristotle? for this you must examine Buffon &c. mr Burwell...
23059From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 29 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday yours of the 25th. and have also to acknolege that of the 18th. you ask whether the pen which is not to wear out is made of glass? No.—guess again. I am glad to hear you expect a family of Bantams. take good care of them. is it not best to put the hen into a tobacco stick coop, in & round which the chickens will always stay. the properest way to make an et-caetera is thus...
23060From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 29 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I believe I have recieved no letter from you since I came from Monticello, but perhaps there is one on the road for me. hope is so much pleasanter than despair, that I always prefer looking into futurity through her glass. I send you some poetical gleanings. our newspapers have been rather barren in that ware for some time past. whether the muses have been taking a nap, or our news writers...
23061Thomas Jefferson to Ellen W. Randolph (Coolidge), 7 February 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
Money, my dearest Ellen , is very hard to get in these times. no better proof of it than that it was not in my power till this day to remit you the inclosed sum of 50.D. which is in notes of the District where you are. it is to pay for the busts of mess rs Madison and Monroe , & for their package, the balance for yourself for your commission on the transaction, or for your menus plaisirs if so...
23062From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 15 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday yours of the 11th. & rejoice to hear that all are well with you. I inclose a letter from Dr. Wistar the perusal of which will be agreeable to your Papa & Mama as it respects Jefferson; & to your Papa what relates to the Mammoth, return it to me. I am glad to hear that the sweet scented grass got safe, altho’ the pot did not. the sooner you put it into a larger box the...
23063From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 8 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I owe you a letter, and very fortunately have one to inclose from an acquaintance which you must consider as a paiment in full of my debt. for having nothing to write about I should otherwise have been puzzled to make paiment, had it not been for this god-send. I could tell you we are all well. but that is a thing of course. I could tell you it is now very cold, but the air of the morning has...
23064From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 20 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday yours of the 15th. and I shall take care to have your book bound. the letter to Jefferson went on direct. I have not heard from him for some time, but Doctr. Rush in a letter just recieved says ‘your grandson has not called upon me as often as I expected, but I hear with great pleasure that he is absorbed & delighted with his Anatomical & other studies.’ I have been...
23065Thomas Jefferson to Ellen W. Randolph (Coolidge), 22 February [1822] (abstract) (Jefferson Papers)
wrote to Ellen to get a print from of Col o Monroe . FC ( Edward Churchill, Haddonfield, N.J., 1991 ); abstract in TJ’s hand beneath endorsement of PoC of TJ to Randolph (Coolidge), 7 Feb. 1822 ; on recto of a reused address cover from Thomas Appleton to TJ; partially dated; one or more words trimmed or illegible.
23066Thomas Jefferson to Ellen W. Randolph (Coolidge), 26 November 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
The situation in which I left your dear Mama makes me very anxious to hear of her during my stay here. uncertain whether this may not find her in bed, I address it to you to pray you to write me a line letting me know how she is. if it is done, on the reciept of this letter and put immediately into the post office of Charlottesville , it will still find me here. direct to me at Poplar Forest...
23067From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Coolidge, 4 June 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
You have heretofore known that the ability of the University to meet the necessary expences of a bell and clock, depended on the remission by Congress, of the duties on marble bases and capitels used in our buildings, a sum of nearly 3000,D. the remission is granted, and I am now authorised to close with mr Willard for the undertaking of the clock, as proposed in your letter of Aug. 25. I must...
23068From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Coolidge, 12 April 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
The arrival of our Professors from abroad has at length enabled us to get our University into operation. their failure to arrive by the day we had announced for it’s commencementt lost us for a while many students, who supposing, with most of us, from the length of time they had been out, that they must have perished, engaged themselves elsewhere. we began on the 7 th of March with between 30....
23069From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Coolidge, 18 November 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson gives this Writing desk to Joseph Coolidge jun r as a Memorial of affection. it was made from a drawing of his own, by Ben Randall, cabinet maker of Philadelphia, with whom he first lodged on his arrival in that city in May 1776. and is the identical one on which he wrote the Declaration of Independance, Politics, as well as Religion, has it’s superstitions. these, gaining...
23070From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Coolidge, 24 October 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I should not have delayed a single day the answer to your interesting and acceptable letter of the 13 th inst. but that it found me suffering severely under an imposthume formed under the jaw, and closing it so effectually as to render the introduction of sustenance into the mouth impossible, but in a fluid form, and that latterly sucked thro’ a tube. after 2. or 3. weeks of sufferance, and a...
23071From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Coolidge, May 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
A clock is wanting for the Rotunda of the University; the size and strength of it’s works must be accomodated to two data. 1. the bell weighs 400. ℔ and is to be heard . with certainty 1½ miles 2. the dial-plate is to be about 6 . feet 3. I. diameter. it is to be fixed in the tympanum of the Pediment of the Portico. The triangle of this tympanum has not been measured exactly yet, therefore we...
23072From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Coolidge, 13 October 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
It is so long since I ought to have written to you that I am ashamed to quote your last date. the information particularly which you were so kind as to obtain and furnish me, as to the cost of a college clock should have been answered. but finding the price you mentioned far beyond our expectation and funds, I took time to have other enquiries made. these however did not result in bringing the...
23073From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Coolidge, 15 January 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I owe you many thanks for the two last books you have been so kind as to send me. I have derived a great deal of information from Russel for the use of our University. I had only a borrowed copy, and had been disappointed in getting one from England: Bosworth is a treasure of Anglo-Saxon learning. there is much in him valuable, and new to me. he treads indeed in the footsteps of D r Hickes and...
23074From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Coolidge, 22 June 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Feb. 27. came to hand in due time; that of the 15 th inst. was recieved yesterday. I have this day directed our Proctor to have 250.D. immediately remitted to yourself for mr Willard, to hold 250.D. more ready to be called for at his convenience, & to count on paying the whole balance at the final conclusion. whenever therefore mr Willard’s convenience may make it acceptable to...
23075From James Madison to Joseph Coolidge Jr., 8 June 1827 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. your favour of May 28. with the printed & manuscript papers of Mr. Grund. The communication, with whatever other documents interesting to him may come to hand will be laid before the Visitors of the University at their meeting on the 10th. of July and will bring him into consideration along with the other men of Science disposed to fill the chair vacated by Mr. Key. The...
23076James Madison to Joseph Coolidge, Jr., 31 January 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have duly received the copy of the Annual Report on the Harvard University: and I make my acknoledgements for the politeness to which I am indebted, with the more pleasure, as it offers an occasion for repeating to Mrs. Coolidge & yourself the regards & good wishes in which Mrs. Madison cordially joines me. FC (DLC) .
23077Thomas Jefferson to William Coolidge, 24 January 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 9 th has been duly recieved. I am able to give but little information on the subject of Madder. I know it has been cultivated, ever since I can remember, in this state for houshold use; and before the revolution it was cultivated on a large scale by some. Col o Harrison , a member of the 1 st Congress , was one of these and told me he did not believe it could be cultivated...
23078From John Quincy Adams to Henry Coolman, 18 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
Will Mr Coleman do Mr and Mrs Adams the favour of coming and dining with them, this day at five O’Clock—of if engaged this day, to-morrow? NNGL .
23079From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Coombe, 22 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society I rejoiced to hear of your safe Arrival and happy Meeting with your Friends. I hope every other Circumstance there will prove agreable [to?] you, if you chuse to continue at Philadelphia. [The?] Letter you intended me by Loxley did not come, so I shall expect that Pleasure. Things remain here much in the State you left them. Mrs....
23080From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Coombe, 6 April 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I receiv’d a few welcome Lines from you acquainting me with your safe Arrival at Philada. and promising me a long Letter, which I suppose has miscarried. So I know nothing of your Reception and Engagements, your Views, Pursuits or Studies, or what would please you best from hence, new Poetry or new Sermons; for the better Chance therefore of hitting...
23081From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Coombe, Jr., 22 July 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library; draft: American Philosophical Society I received with great Pleasure you[rs of] May 15. as it inform’d me of your Hea[lth, and Hap]piness. I thank you for your Sermons [which I] read with Satisfaction: I am glad that [of my good] Bishop’s pleas’d you. I enclose a Speech [of his,] on the same Subject. It is deem’d here a [Master-piece] of Eloquence. I send also...
23082Thomas Coombe, Jr., to His Father, 8 October 1770: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract of ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I dined with Dr. Franklin the Day before yesterday, when he desired to be kindly remembered to you. My Affection for the good old Dr. increases every Time I visit him, which I do very frequently. An Anecdote just occurs which will make you smile. Calling to’ther Day to ask Dr. Franklin “how he did,” I found him sitting, with only a single Cap...
23083From John Adams to Elijah Cooper, 16 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 9th of this month. The defence of the American Constitutions, being public, any man has a right to publish a new edition of it, who will run the risque of a loss by it. I doubt whether you will find your account in it. As to additions & annotations it would be easy with time & leisure, to make many; but my time is the property of the nation, & every moment of...
23084Peter Augustus Jay to James Fenimore Cooper, 29 May 1829 (Jay Papers)
My good old father has paid the debt of nature. He died on the 17th. ins t . I need not tell you how much he was loved and venerated by his children. His departure was attended by every circumstance which can lighten affliction for such a loss. Yet the separation is very painful and I am not yet in a mood to write with levity. William will continue to reside at Bedford; the Estate there is...
23085From George Washington to Myles Cooper, 15 April 1774 (Washington Papers)
As your letter (& accot) to Mr Custis, was receivd by him posterior to the one written to me, & not immediately given into my hands, (as the young Gentn since his marriage has been good part of his time in Maryland) I could not make you the enclos’d remittance much sooner. You will now receive a Draft on Messrs Osgood Hanbury & Company for £65 Sterling, which please to dispose of, & with the...
23086From George Washington to Myles Cooper, 15 December 1773 (Washington Papers)
The favourable account you was pleas’d to transmit me of Mr Custis’s conduct at College, gave me very great satisfaction; & I hoped to have felt an increase of it by his continuance at that place under a Gentleman so capable of instructing him in every branch of useful knowledge, as you are: but these hopes are at an end; & at length, I have yielded, contrary to my judgment, & much against my...
23087From George Washington to Myles Cooper, 31 May 1773 (Washington Papers)
Inclos’d you have a sett of Bills for one hundred pounds Sterling which please to sell at the prevailing Exchange and retain the money in your own hands to answer Mr Custis’ Expences at College, & such calls as he may have for Cash to defray the Incident expences of his abode in this City—In respect to the first Article of Expence, I submit the matter wholely to your better judgement, under a...
23088From James Madison to Richard Cooper, 6 November 1801 (Madison Papers)
As it appears that you have not sold the Boat and Stores prepared for the expedition to Lake Superior I request you to do it on the receipt hereof, and then to make out a new account accompanying it with proper vouchers, in which credit is to be given for the amount of sales. The charges to be contained in it must have relation to the state of the business on the day of your receiving Mr....
23089From James Madison to Richard Cooper, 13 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letter of the 25th. ult, and regret, that the state of preparations for the expedition to Lake Superior should produce inconvenience to the individuals you had engaged. The obvious construction of the resolution under which you have acted is conceived to have required the completion of the expedition within a limited time, viz before the end of the last session of...
23090From John Adams to Samuel Cooper, 2 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your obliging Favour of 17 June is now before me. It contains an elegant and masterly Narration of the late Expedition against the British Men of War, in Nantaskett Road, and its happy and glorious Event. I am a little mortified however that my good Friends and Neighbours the Militia of Braintree, Weymouth and Hingham, did not execute their Part with So much Activity, as they ought. But the...
23091From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 4 June 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Museum; letterbook draft: Library of Congress I can now only acknowledge the Receipt of your much esteem’d Favours of March 15 and Apr. 23. which gave me great Satisfaction. By the next Opportunity I purpose to write to you fully, and among other Things give you my Thoughts on the Warming of your Meeting-house. I send you a french Pamphlet containing some liberal Sentiments on...
23092From John Adams to Samuel Cooper?, 9 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yours of 27. May, received yesterday. I did not expect that our Army would have raised the Siege of Quebec, So soon, much less So unskillfully and So timorously. I cannot forbear, these Epithets. But raising a siege in open day, and in the Face of an Enemy, was a Step, that nothing could justify, that I can think of. The Small Pox is a terrible Enemy, but why could not this have been kept out...
23093From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 14 April 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Museum I suppose Govr. Pownall acquaints you with what has pass’d this Session relating to our American Affairs: All Europe is attentive to the Dispute between Britain and the Colonies; and I own I have a Satisfaction in seeing that our Part is taken every where; because I am persuaded that that Circumstance will not be without its Effect here in our Favour. At the same time the...
23094From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 27 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Henry E. Huntington Library; ALS (draft) and copy: Library of Congress It is a long time Since I have had the Pleasure of hearing from you. The Intelligence you were us’d to favour me with, was often useful to our Affairs. I hope I have not lost your friendship, together with your Correspondence. Our Excellent Mr. Winthrop I see is gone. He was one of those old friends for the sake of...
23095From John Adams to Samuel Cooper, 10 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your last Letter relates to a Subject of the last Importance, to America. The Continental Currency, is the great Pillar, which Supports our Cause, and if that Suffers in its Credit, the Cause must Suffer: if that fails the Cause must fail. The Subjects of Coin and Commerce, are the most nice, and intricate of any within the compass of political Knowledge, and I am very apprehensive We Shall...
23096From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 22 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received your valuable Letter by the Marquis de la Fayette; and another by Mr. Bradford. I can now only write a few Words in Answer to the latter, the former not being at Hand.— The Depreciation of our Money must, as you observe, greatly affect Salary Men, Widows & Orphans. Methinks this Evil deserves the Attention of the several Legislatures and...
23097From John Adams to Samuel Cooper, 28 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter by the Marquis de la Fayette I have received and it contained So handsome a Testimony to the Merit of that gallant young Nobleman, as well as so many judicious observations on other subjects that I have ventured to permit it to be translated and published. The Complaint against the Family of Lee’s, is a very extraordinary Thing indeed. I am no Idolater of that Family or any other:...
23098From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 9 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy: American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress Since mine of the 2 Instant, your Grandson has desired me to order that he may have a Room & fire &c. to himself. This will cost 300 Livres a year more, and I have doubts about putting his Father to such an Additional Expence without knowing his Mind or yours. I should be glad to receive some general Directions. Mr. Adams...
23099From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 26 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ALS and transcript: Library of Congress I have received your Favour of the 16th October, and am much oblig’d by the Intelligence it contains.— I am happy to hear that your Government has agreed to furnish Congress with the Means of discharging the National Debt. The Obstruction that Measure met with in some of the States, has had very mischievous Effects on this side the Water;...
23100From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper: Extract, 28 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 378–9. Our public affairs are in a good situation here. England having tried in vain to make a separate peace with each of the powers she is at war with, has at length agreed to treat for a general peace with them altogether; and at Paris. If we all...