23101From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 7 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress This will be delivered to you by Mr. le Comte de Segur, (Son of the Marquis de Segur Ministre de la Guerre) a Young Nobleman whose amiable Qualities and sensible Conversation will I am sure give you Pleasure. I therefore make no Apology for the Liberty I take of introducing him to you, recommending him to your Civilities and Friendship, and requesting you would do the...
23102From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 30 September 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Museum Your Favour of Aug. 3 has given me great Pleasure. I have only time now to acknowledge the Receipt of it, but purpose to write fully by the next Opportunity. I am just returned from France, where I found our Dispute much attended to, several of our Pamphlets being translated and printed there, among the rest my Examination, and the Farmer’s Letters with two of my Pieces...
23103From John Adams to Samuel Cooper, 23 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
I knew not when I undertook so readily to take the Care of your Grandson what I was about, little foreseeing a Journey of near four hundred Leagues by Land, in the Extremity of Winter, over the worst Roads and the vilest Accommodations and at the same time the most expensive of all Europe. I think myself very happy however to have at length reached Paris, without any essential Injury to the...
23104From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 26 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; extract: Library of Congress I have received several kind Letters from you, which I have not now before me, and which I shall answer more particularly hereafter. Your Grandson was well not long since, & I hear good Account of him. I hope his Improvements will answer your Expectations. We have taken some good Steps here towards a Peace. Our...
23105From John Adams to Samuel Cooper, 6 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received your very agreable Letter of the 8th of September. Nothing could give me more Satisfaction than to learn the peaceable Establishment of the New Constitution. I Sincerely wish Mr. Hancock happy in his important office. Much will depend upon the Wisdom and Firmness of the first Governor, and much upon the Impartiality, and Liberality with which he hearkens to the Advice of Such,...
23106From John Adams to Samuel Cooper, 10 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
I congratulate you upon the Ratification of the Provisional & the Signature of the definitive Treaty. You enjoy in America a pleasure, which we in Europe are deprived of, that of seeing our Country at Peace, after all the cruel Cares of the War. If we can but get the Fisheries agoing and the West India Trade properly opened, we shall soon see our Country wear the face of Joy, and abound in...
23107From Benjamin Franklin to [Samuel Cooper], [25 October 1776]: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract: Massachusetts Archives Being once more order’d to Europe, and to embark this day, I write this Line &c. As to our publick Affairs, I hope our People will keep up their Courage. I have no Doubt of their finally succeeding by the Blessing of God, nor have I any Doubt, that so good a Cause will fail of that Blessing. It is computed here that we have already taken a Million Sterling from...
23108From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 7 July 1773 (Franklin Papers)
LS : British Museum; letterbook draft: Library of Congress I received your very valuable Favours of March 15, and April 23. It rejoices me to find your Health so far restored, that your Friends can again be benefitted by your Correspondence. The Governor was certainly out in his Politicks, if he hoped to recommend himself here by entring upon that Dispute with the Assembly. His imprudence in...
23109From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 8 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress The Prince de Broglie, Son of the Marechal Duc de Broglie has desired of me a few Letters of Introduction. With regard to Boston I cannot do better than to present him to you, who have a Pleasure in showing Civilities to Strangers of Merit, & who can introduce him to the principal Persons civil & military of your State. You already love with reason the French Nation;...
23110From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 30 December 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Museum The letter below belongs with those above to Cooper of June 8 and to Cushing of December 24, for in each Franklin discusses a different aspect of the constitution as he sees it. In the earliest he stresses the colonists’ recourse of petitioning their sovereign for protection against an arbitrary and corrupt Parliament. In the second he argues that Parliament has no right...
23111From John Adams to Samuel Cooper, 30 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 20th. was handed me by the last Post. I congratulate you upon the first modern Election, on the last Wednesday in May of Councellors as at the first. I could not avoid indulging myself Yesterday, in Imagination with my Friends in Boston, upon an Occasion So joyfull. I presume you must have had a very solemn and ceremonious Election, and wish that no Interruption may ever hereafter...
23112From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 15 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy: American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress I received your kind Letter of Feb. 1 by Col. Johonot. Your Sentiments of the present State of our Affairs appear to me very judicious, and I am much oblig’d by your free Communication of them. They are often of Use here: for you have a Name and Character among us, that give weight to your Opinions. The End of Col....
23113From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 13 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Museum; draft: American Philosophical Society I have now before me your several Favours of July 10, Aug. 23, and Nov. 5. A long Journey I took in the Summer and Autumn for the Establishment of my Health, prevented my answering sooner the two first. I hope the State of your Health also is mended by your Retirement into the Country, as mine has sensibly been by that Journey. You...
23114From John Adams to Samuel Cooper, 9 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to you and Coll. Johonnot a few days ago, but have Since found a Letter, from you of 25 July which I am afraid is not acknowledged. The promised Reinforcement is not yet Sailed from France and when it will be ready I know not. I hope they will Send more ships. But you will hear more from France. I left it the 27 of July and know not when I shall return. I Sincerely wish myself, at...
23115From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 16 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Henry E. Huntington Library I received your kind Favour by Capt. Chavagnes, which I communicated to the Minister of the Marine, who was much pleased with the Character you give of the Captain. I have also yours of Nov. 12. by your Grandson, who appears a very pretty promising Lad, in whom I think you will have much Satisfaction. He is in a Boarding School just by me, and was well last...
23116From Benjamin Franklin to [Samuel Cooper], 27 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: University of California Library, Berkeley; transcript: Massachusetts Historical Society At length our Treaties of Commerce and Alliance with France are Compleated, and signed. They go over to Congress by this Conveyance. Their great Principle declared in the Preamble, is perfect Equality and Reciprocity of Conditions, the advantages mutual, Commerce free &c. France guarantees the...
23117From Benjamin Franklin to [Grey Cooper], [1764?–1775] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Frank Glenn, Kansas City, Missouri (1955) I used to put two Ounces of Bark finely powdered into a Bottle of Wine, and let it stand 24 Hours, in which time it will have given to the Wine a sufficient Quantity of its Virtue, and the Powder itself will be pretty well subsided. When I had drank two or three Glasses out of the Bottle, I used to fill it up with fresh Wine, because the Bark...
23118From Benjamin Franklin to Grey Cooper, 7 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy, press copy, and transcript: National Archives; copy: Library of Congress I understand that Mr. Laurens an American Gentleman for whom I have a great Esteem, is a Prisoner in the Tower, and that his Health suffers by the Closeness and Rigour of his Confinement. As I do not think that your Affairs receive any Advantage from the Harshness of this Proceeding, I take the Freedom of requesting...
23119From Benjamin Franklin to Grey Cooper, 11 July 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Mr. Albert M. Greenfield (1955) An Application being about to be made for a Grant of Lands in the Territory on the Ohio lately purchased of the Indians, I cannot omit acquainting you with it, and giving you my Opinion, that they will very soon be settled by People from the neighbouring Provinces, and be of great Advantage in a few Years to the Undertakers. As you have those fine...
23120From Benjamin Franklin to Sir Grey Cooper, 11 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Library of Congress, Harvard University Library Receiving frequent Accounts by American Prisoners, who have escap’d from your Goals, of the miserable Situation and hard Treatment of their Countrymen at Portsmouth and Plymouth, we have prevail’d with a Gentleman, Major Thornton, (to us much a Stranger but who appears a Man of Humanity) to visit the...
23121From Benjamin Franklin to Grey Cooper, 24 June 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Inclos’d I send, for the Ladies, a Piece of the Bark Cloth with which the new-discover’d People dress themselves. It was fast together, but I have split it, as you see; and it will still split farther into its original thin Pieces like Lace. You once express’d a little Partiality for Things of my Writing, which encourages me to send you two; one to which you have...
23122From James Madison to Thomas Cooper, 23 March 1827 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 8th. is just recd & with it a copy of the Printed Circular on the same subject. I forward both to the Faculty of our University who are prohibited by one of its Statutes “from receiving into it any person who has been a Student at any other incorporated Seminary, but on producing a Certificate therefrom, or other satisfactory evidence, with respect to his general good...
23123Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 7 April 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
your favor of Mar. 12. was recieved on the 22. but as our Visitors were to meet within a few days, I postponed writing to you until they had determined on the operations of the campaign. our legislature have authorised us to borrow another 60. M .D. and it is confidently understood that if we can accomplish our buildings with that sum, they will spunge the debt, and place us in a condition to...
23124Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 6 October 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by mr John Wayles Baker son of the Treasurer of this state, and a connection of mine whom, in a former letter , I mentioned to you with my grandson Francis Eppes , presuming they would go together to the College of Columbia . you will find him a youth of excellent dispositions and orderly conduct, and well worthy of any patronage and good offices you may be so kind as...
23125Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 3 March 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
After the passage by our legislature of the act for establishing their University at the Central College , several incidents of expectation suspended my asking a meeting of our visitors , which might enable me to write to you. one of these was the hope that the legislature would make a further donation to enable us to erect our buildings, so that we might be ready soon to open our general...
23126Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 25 August 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of Jan. 16. I mentioned to you that it had long been in contemplation to get an University established in this state, in which all the branches of science useful to us , and at this day , should be taught in their highest degree; and that this institution should be incorporated with the college and funds of W m & Mary . but what are the sciences useful to us, and at this day...
23127From James Madison to Thomas Cooper, 8 July 1811 (Madison Papers)
By the return of the Frigate Essex, I have received from Mr. McRae on whom the Consulate at Paris provisionally devolved, an answer to my letter addressed to Mr. Warden on the subject of the Chemical books you wished to procure. I subjoin the requisite extract “A stranger & almost entirely ignorant of the language even of the Country, I have been obliged to avail myself of the aid of Doctr....
23128Thomas Jefferson and John H. Cocke to Thomas Cooper, 15 October 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
By instructions from the board of Visitors of the University of Virginia we make to you the following communications. At our first meeting, in March last, the board determined that three buildings should be undertaken in the present year, which, with the two already on hand might enable them to open the University partially by the first 1 st of April next ; & with this expectation they fixed...
23129From James Madison to Thomas Cooper, 26 December 1826 (Madison Papers)
The two copies of your Lectures on Political Economy forwarded with your letter Novr. 15. were duly recd. That for Mr. Eppes was delivered to Mr. Trist of the Monticello family who said he could send it on forthwith by a safe conveyance. For the other addressed to myself, I offer my thanks. Before I had time to look into the volume, I had an opportunity of handing it over to Professor Tucker,...
23130From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 2 November 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Oct. 18. came to hand yesterday. the atmosphere of our country is unquestionably charged with a threatening cloud of fanaticism, lighter in some parts, denser in others, but too heavy in all. I had no idea however that in Pensylvania, the cradle of toleration and freedom of religion, it could have arisen to the height you describe. this must be owing to the growth of...
23131Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 22 January 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Richardson had left us about an hour when I recieve d information from Richmond that the University bill had passed our house of Representatives by a majority of between 50. and 100 votes on different votes. altho’ now certain of our establishment I will not write to you finally till the bill is finally past. there are but 2. votes against it in the Senate
23132Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 7 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to you on the 25 th of Nov. from Poplar Forest from whence I returned but a few days ago, & found here yours of Nov. 10. 20. Dec. 6. & 7. I have taken time to communicate to my colleagues (who all live at distances of 20. or 30. miles around) your acceptance of our Physiological professorship, which they lear
23133From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 9 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Mar. 21. was recieved here on the 4th. inst. the warrant to your son as midshipman had been suspended for enquiry on a suggestion of too great a propensity in him to drink. no information has been recieved, but your’s is sufficient. it is sufficient that you are apprised of it, and state the nature of the case yourself. his warrant was therefore signed two days ago, and has been,...
23134Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 6 February 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Jan. 23. is recieved with real affliction. I sincerely lament the loss of D r Wistar , whose health, altho not the best, had yet promised, as I hoped, a longer life. in his line he leaves no superior, and his science was among our principal ornaments. distant as is our position from the immediate scene of this calamity I percieve that, in effect, it may reach us heavily. the...
23135Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 27 August 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 21. and am glad to learn that you will return to Columbia by land; in which case I hope you will take this in your way, and to prevent disappointment I must state to you my movements. Sep. 6. I shall set out to Poplar Forest . 24. I shall be at home.
23136From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 30 May 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry to learn by your letter of the 6 th that the genus irritabile vatum revive their persecutions against you in a state on whose liberal opinions I had believed that fanaticism had no hold. I still hope you will be safe under the wing of the legislature which has given such eminent proofs of their sense of your value to them. the question you ask with respect to this place is one which...
23137From James Madison to Thomas Cooper, 4 September 1810 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 19th. Aug. and have transmitted the request it makes, to Mr. Warden, who will more certainly be found at Paris, than Genl. Armstrong, and who is perhaps, more in communication with those most capable of assisting his researches. I need not, I hope, assure you that I have felt a pleasure in contributing, in the way you have thought proper to make use of me, to an...
23138From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 9 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of June 23. is recieved. I had not before learned that a life of Dr. Priestly had been published or I should certainly have procured it; for no man living had a more affectionate respect for him. In religion, in politics, in physics no man has rendered more service. I had always expected that when the republicans should have put down all things under their feet, they would...
23139From James Madison to Thomas Cooper, 5 January 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have received the “Report” on the state of the South Carolina College, covered by your favor of December 21. I have read it with very sincere pleasure as the harbinger of days happy for yourself, as well as prosperous for the Institution. You are not, I perceive, without an adversary of the same family which raised its cries against you elsewhere. The triumphs of education under your...
23140Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 7 October 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Your several favors of Sep. 15. 21. 22. came all together by our last mail. I have given to that of the 15 th a single reading only, because the handwriting (not your own) is microscopic & difficult, and because I shall have an opportunity of studying it in the Portfolio in print. according to your request I return it for that publication, where it will do a great deal of good. it will give...
23141Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 17 March 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by mr Coffee , an English gentleman of eminence in the arts of sculpture and painting. he has been for some time an inmate with us at Monticello , having been engaged in making the busts in plaister of myself and all the grown members of our family. he has done the same at mr Madison ’s and some other families of my neighborhood, and much in Richmond and to very general...
23142Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 4 October 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Before answering the queries stated in your letter of this yester day, I must premise that whatever I say, will be founded on the hypothesis that our legislature shall adopt the Central College as the site for the University of Virginia , which of course entitles it to the funds appropriated to that object. 1. my letter to you of Oct. 10. approved by the Visitors
23143From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 1 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 9th. is recieved & with it the copy of Dr. Priestley’s Memoirs, for which I return you many thanks. I shall read them with great pleasure, as I revered the character of no man living more than his. with another part of your letter I am sensibly affected. I have not here my correspondence with Govr. Mc.Kean to turn to, but I have no reason to doubt that the particular letter...
23144Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 11 July 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of June 21 . is recieved, and I have exhibited the different designs for our seal to such friends as had taste for such things. we all preferred the attitude of Minervas Minerva in one of mr Otis ’s designs as being more beautiful, but not the shield & spear. the emblems of another of his figures, the olive branch & cornucopiæ, peace & plenty, are more conformable to the idea...
23145Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 16 January 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Nov. 8. if it was rightly dated, did not come to hand till Dec. 13. and being absent on a long journey it has remained unanswered till now. the copy of your introductory lecture was recieved & acknoleged in my letter of July 12. 1812 . with which I sent you Tracy ’s 1 st vol on Logic. your Justinian came safely also, and I have been constantly meaning to acknolege it, but I...
23146From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 17 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 2d. inst. is just now recieved. your former one had also come duly to hand, and was properly disposed of to produce it’s effect at it’s just season. it was not therefore from inattention that I had not acknoleged it, but from the absolute impossibility of doing this in the immense number of those I daily recieve. it reduces me to the painful necessity of leaving those who are...
23147From James Madison to Thomas Cooper, 6 April 1821 (Madison Papers)
I recd. some days ago your letter of Mar. 12. recommending Mr. L. Vanuxem for the Chemical Chair in our University, which we can no longer hope to fill as we had wished. He could not certainly be presented under better auspices; but it is not yet known who may be brought into comparison with him, and it is ascertained moreover that the University cannot be opened for a year or two; and must be...
23148Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 10 April 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Our legislature has appropriated 15,000 D. a year for an University, & taken measures for fixing it’s site, which I am confident will result in adopting that of the Central College . our Visitors meet here on the 11 th of May , and I therefore press M r Correa to make his visit a few days before that, because in yours of Feb. 20.
23149Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 2 April 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 29 th ult. (the day appointed) we had a full meeting of the Visitors of the University . it consisted of 4. of the former members of the Central College , & 3. others. with this new composition of our board , some changes in our former views arose. the former board had determined to divert the funds of the institution as little as possible, for the present, from the object of providing...
23150Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 8 April 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Mar. 1. reached me on the 12 th and I answered it on the 13 th of that month; since which yours of the 21 st has come to hand. the opinion I gave on the subject of D r Rice ’s publication was that of my first impressions, and without having had time to enquire of others who go mo re into the world, and know better what is passing in it. I have since exte