2901To James Madison from John H. I. and Eliza C. M. Browere, 20 May 1826 (Madison Papers)
Yours’ was duly received but at the very moment when our infant daughter was at the point of death, per the Whooping cough; for six weeks we had very little hopes of her recovery, but he in whose hands are the issues of life and death, hath redeemed her from the jaws of the destroyer. She lives & we are thankful. Long before her birth Mrs Browere declared to herself if the infant lived she...
2902To Thomas Jefferson from Arthur S. Brockenbrough, 20 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
In consequence of the drouth our well have most all given out and our pipes are so much decayed that we can’t get a supply from the Mountain without going to a considerable expence in renewing them and consequently we are put to considerable inconveniance for the want of a sufficiency of water—The well have also declined in Charlottesville——The people of Charlottesville have proposed that we...
2903To Thomas Jefferson from John Henri Isaac Browere, 20 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
As the poet says, “there are strings in the human heart, which once touched will some times utter dreadful discord.” Per the public vehicles of information the expresident has perceived the very illiberal manner in which my character & feelings have been treated; and that of those of his honor have been unintentionably wounded, mine have b een publickly assaulted, & lacerated?—why?—Because...
2904From Thomas Jefferson to John Hartwell Cocke, 20 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I am extremely dissatisfied withe train in which our works at the University are going on, and were it not for my great confidence in the integrity of those we employ, I should be unable to resist the suspicion of a willingness in them to make the job last for life. I am at present suffering under a relapse so serious as to put it out my power to go there as frequently as is requisite. I will...
2905To Thomas Jefferson from Robley Dunglison, 20 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
When I had the pleasure of seeing you yesterday, it escaped my memory to beg of you an inspection of the Bill of Parcels of the unopened Boxes of Books now in the University. I will therefore feel obliged by your sending them to me by the Bearer to the end that I may take out some works essentially necessary for me in the present department of my course—leaving the remainder in their places so...
2906From Thomas Jefferson to James Heaton, 20 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
The subject of your letter of Apr. 20 is one on which I do not permit myself to express an opinion, but when time, place, & occasion may give it some favorable effect. a good cause is often injured more by ill timed efforts of it’s friends than by the arguments of it’s enemies. persuasion, perseverance, and patience are the best advocates on questions depending on the will of others. the...
2907To Thomas Jefferson from Bernard Peyton, 20 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 17th: is now before me. Your Tobacco from Bedford I have never yet heard from; I have rec d from Albemarle, since last fall, 430 Blls Flour on your a/c, and finding no prospect whatever of selling it here, to advantage, ship d it long since to the Eastward, where I hope it will yield you a better return than could possibly be anticipated here, if indeed a sale of it could have...
2908To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 18 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I congratulate you, on the proper feeling for your long life of meritorious service that seems to pervade every part of our country, and I anticipate from it, in every way, a result such as your friends would wish, and ought to expect. May the attachment of your fellow citizens render the close of your useful life, equally comfortable and honourable. I should not trouble you now with a letter,...
2909From Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton, 17 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I have so entirely left all my affairs to Jefferson that I know almost nothing of them. I am uninformed whether our tob o from Bedford is all down or our flour from here. before he went away, I stated to him that we should have to make the ordinary and current call on you. he told me I might do it, as he had made provn with you on that subject. my quarterly bills are now due and must be drawn...
2910From James Madison to Henry Clay, 16 May 1826 (Madison Papers)
I am very sorry that a lapse of attention on my part, shd. have given you the trouble denoted in yours of the 13th. The communication inadvertently addressed to you was intended for your colleague of the War Department, to whom as existing Presidt. of the Agricultural Society of Albemarle, the Botanical Box ought to have been transmitted. I must ask the favor of you to hand over to him the...
2911To Thomas Jefferson from James Barbour, 16 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I received a letter some time past from M r Madison advising me of the arrival of a box of seeds, sent from France, addressed to him as President of the A. A. Society; and which he turned over to me—I immediately wrote to the French Consul of France requesting him to consign it to M r Allen of Fredericksburg or Moncure Robinson & Pleasants of Richmond—since which I have heard nothing of it—I...
2912To Thomas Jefferson from Ferdinand Rudolph Hassler, 16 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 5 th inst t has again highly obliged me by the kind interest you always take in what concerns me and Your subscription to my trigonometry if I can bring it to light in which the book sellers here are not very liberal in lending a hand, so that perhaps I may have to send it to a friend in London for publication. Upon Your account of the Professors of Virginia University and...
2913Thomas Jefferson’s List of University of Virginia Students Classified by Age and List of Faculty and Staff, ca. 16 May … (Jefferson Papers)
born in 1804. or before 1805 1806 1807 1808. 1809. 21. years of age or more 20. 19. 18. 17. 16. 2 John A. G. Davis k. bo. Edw d T. Harrison. l. bl. Burwell Starke. l.
2914From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Barraud Taylor, 16 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed lres will so fully explain themselves that I will not add to your trouble by a restatemt here. I know nothing of William the son, but all men known or unknown have equal rights to charity, if the mass of your business should permit you to give him. the informn he requests I will pray you to send with it the inclosed letter to him. Our University is improving in the points of order...
2915From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Lee, 15 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
The sentiments of justice which have dictated your letters of the 3 d and 9 th inst. are worthy of all praise, and merit and meet my thankful acknolegements. were your father now living and proposing, as you are to publish a second edition of his Memoirs, I am satisfied he would give a very different aspect to the pages of that work which respect Arnold’s invasion and surprise of Richmond in...
2916From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to George Washington Adams, 14 May 1826 (Adams Papers)
I am very glad my Dear George find by your Letter which is just received that you are better and if possible still more pleased to learn that you are likely to become very busy as I believe this is the only means to keep you in health— I regret very much not to see you as any journey to the North appears very doubtful this Summer and I am sorry to see your account of your Grandfathers state—It...
2917To James Madison from Henry Clay, 13 May 1826 (Madison Papers)
I received your letter of the 10th. Instant, transmitting those of Messrs. D’Espenville and Hersant respecting the box of seeds for the use of the Agricultural Society of Virginia. Although I do not myself perceive that I have any right to direct the disposal of it, I shall comply with your suggestion, in requesting Messrs. Mackay and Campbell to forward it to the University of Virginia. With...
2918To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Clay, 13 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Madison has transmitted to me the enclosed letters respecting a box of seeds sent from the Museum at Paris—Altho’ I do not think that I have any thing to do with it. I have nevertheless complied with his suggestions in requesting Mess rs Mackay and Campbell to forward it for the use of the University of Virginia, to which I understand is attached a Botanical Garden: and I have taken the...
2919To Thomas Jefferson from John Patten Emmet, 13 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just received your letter of yesterday. I need not assure you that it will give me very great pleasure to promote your wishes. Immediately after we visited the ground I wrote a note to the Proctor requesting Laborers and carts. I have not yet, even received an answer from him, which is much to be regretted as the season is far advanced & there will be necessity to change the surface of...
2920To Thomas Jefferson from William Cabell Rives, 13 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I have now the satisfaction to inform you that the Bill, for remitting the duties demanded of the university, has passed the Senate, & has probably, by this time, received it’s consummation as a law by the signature of the President. The committee of the Senate, to which the Bill was referred, reported it with an amendment, the object of which was to provide for another case supposed by the...
2921To 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...
2922From James Madison to Chester Bailey, 12 May 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 4th. inst. I hope your Guest will very soon set out, if he sd. not already have done so. On the subject of yr. charges agst. him, I must refer to my last, adding only, that speedy attention will be given not only to any necessary advance for his journey, but to what may become due for his ordinary expences, during his detention if that sd. happen. The bill for the...
2923From Thomas Jefferson to James Barbour, 12 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
For 20. years past Mons r Thruin superintendant of the National garden of France, has sent me annually a box of seeds assorted to our climate. this having been intermitted for the last two years, I suspected his death. m r Madison now informs me that he has been so for some time, and that his successor now addressg such a box to him as President of the Agricultural society of Albemarle, that...
2924From Thomas Jefferson to John Patten Emmet, 12 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
By a letter from mr Madison I now learn that Thouin has been dead some time, that his successor sends the box annually to him as President of the agricultural society of Albemarle, that such a box is now arrived at N. York, of which he has notified Secretary Barbour his successor. to him I have written requesting it’s consignment to us, and the sooner the better as the season is fast...
2925From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Miller, 12 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter dated London Aug. 20. 1825 came to hand so long ago as Oct. 31. but considering impossible that a letter under that general address sent to such a city as London, should find you, I thought it useless to answer it. within a few days I learn that Gen l Taylor of Norfolk was your father’s agent, and the only person who could give you a state of his affairs and that he knows your...
2926To Thomas Jefferson from Hezekiah Niles, 12 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
It was with great pleasure that I rec d your favor of the 6 th inst. because it furnished evidence of your health—for my prayer is joined to that of grateful millions that you may live long & happily. But I will not trouble you with the reading of a long letter, however much I am disposed to write one. I thank you for your kind recollection of me & the little matter that was between us, the...
2927To Thomas Jefferson from Littleton Waller Tazewell, 11 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
An accident prevented the receipt of your letter of the 25 th of November last, for so long a period after its date, that I then thought it better to postpone writing to you in reply, until I could communicate some intelligence in relation to the subject to which it refer’d—The delay of the House of Representatives to pass the bill which M r Rives had introduced into that body, until a few...
2928From James Madison to Michel Espérance Hersant, 10 May 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of Apl. 28. relating to a Box of Seeds sent by the French Consul at New York, and informing me that you had forwarded the Box to Messrs. Mackay & Campbell at Fredericksburg. Be pleased to accept Sir the thanks due for your obliging attention in this case, with the addition of my personal respects. RC ( MWiW-C ). Franked and addressed by JM to “Monsr. Hersant Vice Consul...
2929From James Madison to Richard Smith, 10 May 1826 (Madison Papers)
[Six] months after date I promise to pay to Richard Smith Cashier on order fourteen hundred & thirty Seven dollars 50/100 pr value received—payable at the office of discount & deposit Washington with interest from this date MS ( ViU : Special Collections, Madison Papers). In an unidentified hand, signed by JM . Text loss from tear in upper right corner of note; conjectured text based on...
2930To Thomas Jefferson from John Moody, 10 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I have observed a Lottery advertised to be Drawn sometime hence from a Train of Ill Luck or something Else—I am Reduced to Straitend Circumstances perhaps I might have some good fortune after a Long train of Bad—will you be pleased to send as a present 2 or 3 tickets as an old friend and acquaintance which will be Esteemed a particular favour Indeed and more Ensured from my Heart if you comply...
2931To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Lee, 9 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last letter it has occurred to me that it should have contained an idea which I did not express. It is this—that under the circumstances in which the Governours of States, and the Continental Officers were placed, it is reasonable to suppose that however correct the conduct of the former may have been, the opinions of the latter would be unfavourable to them. Indeed, the more...
2932To Thomas Jefferson from Jacob Abbot Cummings, 8 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
on the inst. we shipped to the care of Col. Peyton 3 cases Books from England, 1 from France, & 2 from Germany; & yesterday one other case from Germany. These, with what are now on their way from Europe, and the addition of some American works, which have not, as yet been found, will make about the full amount of our commission. We have received by the last arrivals advice of such works as...
2933To John Adams from Charles Francis Adams, 7 May 1826 (Adams Papers)
The warm season has come again and delightful as it is to me, is no doubt also very acceptable to you, Sir. The prevailing rule I believe, is a moderate heat, and one which is perhaps better adapted to afford ease to you than extremes either way. My attachment to warm weather excludes any idea of a medium or rather of what is commonly called so. And it is for this reason that I prefer the...
2934From Thomas Jefferson to J. B. McGruder, 7 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
The request, my dear gentlemen; of your letter recieved the day before yesterday, has greater difficulties than you are aware of. whether buildings erected by the public for appropriate purposes, and committed to the trust and safe-keeping of the visitors, can lawfully be applied by them to purposes different from the trust, may well be questioned. another evil is that if once we permit...
2935From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 6 May 1826 (Madison Papers)
I return the correspondence inclosed in yours of the 3d. inst. The reluctance of Mr. Emmett, & probably of his colleagues, to the enlargement of their duties, is neither to be wondered at, nor yielded to. You have put the matter on a ground to which I can suggest no improvement. It may be well perhaps that what has passed should not be generally known. With some it might produce reflections on...
2936From Thomas Jefferson to Jacob Abbot Cummings, 6 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
As you are occasionally sending supplies of books to your store here, I am in hopes it may not be inconvenient to supply a private application, and in that confidence request you, with your next parcel, to send me on my particular account those below mentioned. if there has not yet been an 8 vo edition of Turner published, I would rather wait than have a 4 to one. I hope our book room and...
2937To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 6 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I return the correspondence enclosed in yours of the 3 d inst. The reluctance of M r Emmett, & probably of his colleagues, to the enlargement of their duties, is neither to be wondered at nor yielded to. You have put the matter on a ground to which I can suggest no improvement. It may be well perhaps that what has passed should not be generally known. With some it might produce reflections on...
2938From Thomas Jefferson to Hezekiah Niles, 6 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Having been lately engaged in indexing my memorandum book of the last year, I observed your name not to be in it, this first suggests to me that I must have forgotten the annual remittance to you. I therefore now inclose you 10. D. for the past and present dues. my memory fails too much to be depended on; but if you would send a scrip of a note with the paper closing the year, this should not...
2939To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 6 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
It has given me infinite pleasure to hear from you by the letter which you were so good as to send by M r Randolph, dated March 24. He gave it to me a few days ago only, on his return from Boston; having passed through this City without stopping on his way thither. I was indeed very anxious to hear of you & of your health, though unwilling to trouble you with a letter & impose on you the tax...
2940From Thomas Jefferson to Arthur S. Brockenbrough, 5 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Instructions to mr Brockenbrough. 1. Engage mr Broke to come immediately & put another cover of tin on the Dome-room of the Rotunda, without disturbing the old one. 2. the inside plaistering will then be to be coloured uniform with Whiting. 3. the finishing the Dome room to be pushed by every possible exertion, as also the Anatomical building, by employing all the hands which can be got. 4....
2941From Thomas Jefferson to Arthur S. Brockenbrough, 5 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
When in conversation with you yesterday, I omitted to recommend what I had intended, that is, considering the difficulties of getting up the Capitels, to get the bases first hauled and set the bricklayers immediately to begin the columns, while about them you can get the Capitels in time. The leaks in the roof we must remedy. as soon as Gen l Cocke comes I will consult with him what is to be...
2942From Thomas Jefferson to Ferdinand Rudolph Hassler, 5 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor on the subject of the mathematical volume you propose to publish is just now recieved. I have no doubt of it’s value for our schools in general, and that as an elementary work for their use it will be clear & easy, as every thing is which comes from you. but to establish it as a text book in that branch of our institution would be beyond my province. our Professors of Mathematic and...
2943From Thomas Jefferson to Jesse B. Harrison, 5 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Being informed that the Professorship of the French and Spanish languages in the Univ y of N.C. is vacant and now to be filled, and that mr Jesse B. Harrison of Lynchbg proposes himself as a Candidate, it gives me pleasure to bear witness to his character as far as known to me. I have had a general acquaintance with him of several years, but a more special one with his pursuits and acquiremts...
2944To Thomas Jefferson from William Cabell Rives, 5 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the pleasure of recieving your letter of 22 nd ult. some days ago; but unwilling to vex & tire you with the repetition of unsatisfactory communications, I have forborne to reply to it, until I could communicate something decisive upon the subject of the duties. I have now the satisfaction to inform you that the Bill, for remitting them, has this day passed the House of Representatives, &...
2945From Thomas Jefferson to F. H. Wright, 5 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very thankful to you for your friendly letter of Apr. 15. after so many years of reflection & experience it is consolatory to me to learn that a f. c. still continues to approve of the line of my conduct in the transaction of the public affairs. with respect to my own embarrasmts, when I see so many persons failing who are so much better qualified for private business then I am, and so...
2946To Thomas Jefferson from Anonymous, 4 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I write to you by a special influence while standing at my Desk, I was looking around the world to see if I could find one man, who had arrived, to a state of compleat happiness, eather in the abundance of riches or honour, in those two pursuits most of men, are engaged. while looking for the man of honour, I could think of no man who had arrived to so complete a state, as your self—this leads...
2947To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 3 May 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have percieved in some of our Professors a disinclination to the preparing themselves for entering on the branches of science with which they are charged additionally to their principal one. I took occasion therefore lately to urge one of them (Dr. Emmet) to begin preparations for his Botanical school, for which the previous works necessary furnished unoffensive ground. His answer confirming...
2948From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Alexander Scammell Dearborn, 3 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Apr. 26. came to hand on the 1 st instant, and I answer it by our first mail. it really took me by surprise. our bond was payable in 8. months, and our record tells us it was signed on the 4 th of October, which would have carried the payment to the 4 th of June. I now suppose that altho not signed till the 4 th of October, it may have been dated at some earlier day. but for...
2949To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Lee, 3 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
At the request of some military friends, and in compliance with a desire which I have for several years entertained, I am preparing a second edition of my fathers memoirs of the Southern war—with his own M.S. corrections, with the advantage of various suggestions from Col. Howard & with such additions and explanations as my own acquaintance with the subject will enable me to furnish. In this...
2950From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 3 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I have percieved in some of our Professors a disinclination to the preparing themselves for entering on the branches of science with which they are charged additionally to their principal one. I took occasion therefore lately to urge one of them (D r Emmet) to begin preparations for his Botanical school, for which the previous works necessary furnished unoffensive ground. his answer confirming...