3151From James Madison to Sherman Converse, 10 March 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 3d. inst; inclosing a manuscript copy of Mr. Webster’s prospectus of his Dictionary, with a printed specimen of the execution of the work; and I comply with your request of an early answer. The plan embraces so many commendable objects beyond the ordinary Scope of such works that its successful execution must be a substantial improvement on them. The specimen,...
3152From James Madison to Noah Webster, 10 March 1826 (Madison Papers)
In my letter of Ocr. 12. 1804. answering an enquiry in yours of Augst. 20. it was stated that “In 1785 I made a proposition with success, in the Legislature (of Virginia) for the appointment of Commissioners to meet at Annapolis, such Commissioners as might be appointed by other States, in order to form some plan for investing Congress with the regulation & taxation of Commerce.” In looking...
3153From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 9 March 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I rec d in due time your affect te lre of Feb. 25. and read it with the pleasure one must always feel on such evidence of the virtues of the heart in one so near and dear to us. the sacrifice you offer to my comfort is such as few would be capable of making and is the more deeply felt in proportion as it is more rare. I percieve that you have been led into error, as the public generally was,...
3154From Thomas Jefferson to John Fellows, 9 March 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns his thanks to mr Fellows for the copy to has been so kind as to send him of Paine’s theological works, that the author should in his day have encountered great abuse was a thing of course. a powerful mind like his, and zealously employed in whatever cause can never be an object of mere indifference to those to whom it is opposed. nor has the genus irrtabile vatum whom he...
3155To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 8 March 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose a bill for the brandy &c my dearest Grandpapa, by which you will see that we have still a few dollars remaining of the sixty sent by Col Peyton. there are also such receipts for dressing the fish & tongues & sounds as I could obtain, but these dishes, especially the latter, are scarcely ever brought upon table in Boston, owing, I suppose, to their being so easily obtained as to lose...
3156From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 8 March 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your two favors of Feb.23. and 27. and am truly sensible of the interest you so kindly take in my affair, and of the encoraging aspect of mr Gouverneur’s letter. all that is necessary for my relief is a succesful sale of our tickets, of which the public papers give good hope. if this is effected, at a reasonable value for what I shall sell, what will remain will leave me...
3157From Thomas Jefferson to William Cabell Rives, 8 March 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
The approach of the semiannual meeting of the Visitors of the University renders it interesting to learn the probable fate of our application to Congress on the subject of the duties. and the more so, as we gave our bonds personally for the amount, on the presumption that before they should become due Congress would have had time to decide the question. I am well aware how uncontrolable the...
3158From Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton, 7 March 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Col o Peyton is requested to get mr May to obtain of the best window glass of the Boston manufactory the following articles 25 . panes 12. I. square 50. panes 12 by 18 I. ½ doz. panes 18. I. by 2. feet. also the following for print frames 2. panes or sheets 19½ I. by 15. I. for the 2. prints of Pantheon 1. 19½ I. by 14¼ for Comparative buildings 3 . d o 17
3159To John Adams from Henry Whiting, 6 March 1826 (Adams Papers)
It is with great reluctance I presume to intrude upon your venerable retirement; but I am desirous, in common with some of my brother officers, of being informed of a fact, which probably can now be obtained from yourself alone.—In the Journal of the Continental Congress, under date Oct—1776, we observe that a committee, on which your name (as it does upon almost all others) appears, was...
3160From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to George Washington Adams, 6 March 1826 (Adams Papers)
Why you should have thought that I was offended my dear George I cannot imagine as I have never had an idea of the kind but I believe that the state of my health and the constant irritation of the nervous system has so soured my temper I am now always crass and unpleasant to myself and to everybody else.—Mr. Quincy has left us after a short visit in which we endeavoured to obtain his company...
3161From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Thomas J. Hellen, 4 March 1826 (Adams Papers)
Your letter has this moment been put into my hand and as a proof of how happy it makes me to hear from you I hasten to answer it immediately— Shut up as I now am in this great house, I have few opportunities of mixing with society and my health is so bad I almost lose the relish for parties which once gave a zeal to the enjoyment. I was however at the Ball on the 22d which was very handsome...
3162To James Madison from Francis Brooke, 4 March 1826 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty to recommend to you Mr John T Lomax of this place as the Successor of Mr Gilmer in the university. I know no professional lawyer better qualified to fill his place, Mr Lomax is one of the best read lawyers in the State, and though he has not attained the eminence of some of them, it is more to be attributed to his great modesty and other causes, than to any inferiority of...
3163To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Taliaferro Brooke, 4 March 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
The professorship of law being vacant by the lamented death of M r Gilmer I take the liberty to recommend to your notice M r John T Lomax of Fred g —relatively speaking I think him well qualified to succeed M r Gilmer he graduated at W m & Mary College with much credit to himself has since been a laboreous Student and is at this time one of the best read professional lawyers in the State, his...
3164To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 4 March 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I never felt myself under the same degree of restraint in taking up my pen to write to you—for there seems a propriety in abstaining from bringing into view a subject which is painful, & at the same time I cannot be ignorant of what is a subject of public discussion. I have followed the debates of the assembly with impatience & anxiety, as I had seen a letter from a gentleman in Virginia, whom...
3165From Thomas Jefferson to Rice W. Wood, 4 March 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of Feb. 23. my grandson had before informed me of the friendly part you had taken in forwarding the indulgence I had asked of the legislature. that it’s first impression on others might in many cases be unfavorable I had anticipated; while to myself there was nothing of novelty in it familiarised to it’s practice as we were before the revolution. that it had no...
3166From John Jay to Richard Peters, 3 March 1826 (Jay Papers)
I had the pleasure of recieving, on Saturday last, your Letter of the 21 st . of Feby— It gratified me to learn from it, that you was in excellent Health—and I hope that a kind Providence will continue to promote your Prosperity.— The Communications which had occurred between you and the Committee of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, were interesting. In a Letter from them of the 10 th ....
3167To James Madison from Sherman Converse, 3 March 1826 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to enclose you for inspection a copy of Mr Websters prospectus of his Large Dictionary and a small printed specimen of the Lexicography of the Work. Mr W. has devoted nearly 30 years of laborious application to the Compilation of this Dictionary, and I have the opinions of some of the first scholars of our Country that for phylological research and decided merit, it excels every...
3168From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Walker Maury, 3 March 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
In answer to your enquiries in behalf of my antient and highly esteemed friend and classmate James Maury I need only say that I was born Apr. 2. 1743. and that consequently, allowing for change of style, I shall be 83. y. old on the 13 th of the ensuing month of April. I should not give you the trouble of saying this form me to my friend, but should do it for myself, were it not that dislocns...
3169From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Mills, 3 March 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of Feb. 15. and with it your beautiful map of S. Carolina, which I place among the many other testimonies of your friendship and with the acceptableness they ever ensure. your general plan will constitute a valuable work even independantly of the statistical adjunct you propose: your idea of the Obelisk monument is a very fine one. I think small temples would...
3170To Thomas Jefferson from Robert G Scott, 3 March 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I must apologize, for trespassing on the slight acquaintance, I have with you, in introducing to you Mr Nicholas Brown; a most respectable citizen of Rhode Island, & son of the Honorable Nicholas Brown, the founder of Brown University—Mr Brown visits Charlottesville, to examine the University, & obtain some information in relation to its discipline, the course of instruction &c—I am Sir with...
3171From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Shore, 2 March 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you, kind Sir, for your very friendly letter of Feb. 22. it supposes in me claims on the attentions of my country to which I have no pretentions. I happened to be born in times which required from all it’s citizens, every service they could render, and gave full value to even the smallest service which any could render. those within the reach of my faculties have been fully remunerated...
3172To Thomas Jefferson from John Brockenbrough, 1 March 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed letter has been handed to me, as the person first named of the commissioners to conduct the Lottery lately authorized by the General Assembly. Capt Richardson, I understand was requested by M r T. J. Randolph to make application to Mess rs Yates & M c Intyre on the subject. I have only to add that my associates (Mess rs. Nicholas & Anderson) & myself will take pleasure in...
3173From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Ritchie, 28 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor covering one from a Lottery office offering it’s services for the management of that lately permitted to me. I have for some years been obliged by age and ill health to resign the care of all my affairs to my grandson Th: J. R. who accdly acts for me with full powers in all cases. that of the lottery particularly has been entirely left to him so that I know...
3174From John Marshall to John Quincy Adams, 27 February 1826 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Marshall accepts with great pleasure the invitation of Mr and Mrs. Adams to dine with them on friday the 3d. of March at five MHi : Endicott Family Autograph Collection.
3175To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Coolidge, 27 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been very much gratified by the letters rec d from you since I left Monticello; those which contained accounts of the interruption to good order at the University were made use of to correct erroneous impressions upon the subject, wherever we found them to exist; and others, referring to the different small commissions with which you had honoured me, gave me an opportunity of shewing at...
3176To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 27 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed letter from M r Go relating to a subject interesting to you, and your family, I forward it to you with pleasure. we have heard with deep regret, of the afflicting calamity with which you have been visited, but well know that you will not want resources, to meet any disaster, to which, our nature is subject. with our best wishes to M rs Randolph & family, I am Dear Sir very...
3177To John Adams from Charles Francis Adams, 26 February 1826 (Adams Papers)
Another fortnight has passed since I had the honour to address you, and the end of it has found me but little wiser than the beginning. It has in fact been spent in the lounging dissipated manner which Washington society so soon produces. My seceding from society produced so much dissatisfaction in the family, that I have again thrown myself into the middle of the stream and my law in...
3178To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Jefferson Ward, 26 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Living among people who revere you as the author of the Declaration of American Independence, as the Father of Republicanism, the Friend & Advocate of liberty, & the President under whose administration the alien & sedition Laws were repealed, & the Liberty of the Press restored, and now in advanced life the Guardian of youth & Literature; these people have with pain & regret read the...
3179To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 25 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Altho I Have Not Since My Return to france Received any direct letter from Monticello, I Have the Gratification to Conclude from Several Reports, namely from An Account of Your Visit to the University that Your Health is Much improved from what I Have left it. it is a pleasing thought to me that when these lines Will Reach You there Will be a short time to Wait before Your dear Helen Has...
3180From James Madison to Levett Harris, 24 February 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 8th. expressing your solicitude concerning the debt of J. P. Todd, on which I am sorry it is not in my power to make any definite communication. His protracted absence leaves me without such a knowledge of the extent of his situation as might throw light on the suggestions suited to it. It is his wish I trust, to give to the transaction so unfortunate in its...
3181From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 24 February 1826 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 17th. was duly recd. The awkward state of the Law professorship is truly distressing, but seems to be without immediate remedy. Considering the hopeless condition of Mr. Gilmour, a temporary appointment, if an acceptable successor were at hand, whilst not indelicate towards the worthy moribund incumbent, might be regarded as equivalent to a permanent one. And if the hesitation of...
3182To Thomas Jefferson from George B. Arnold, 24 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Although a stranger to you I have taken the liberty of addressing to you a letter with a view of gaining information & advice on a subject in which I am much concerned—I have it in contemplation to set forward shortly to some literary institution in order to commence a course of studies and hearing of the advantages held forth by the University of Virginia—which—altho the institution is as yet...
3183From Thomas Jefferson to William Logan Fisher, 24 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has duly recieved mr Fisher’s favor of the 7 th and with it his pamphlet on the subject of mr Owen’s establishment. so far as the experiment at Lanare has gone, his faith goes also, & no farther. that it is an excellent scheme for the maintenance and reformation of an establishment of paupers, so long as an Owen can be found to superintend it, the proof is satisfactory; but that...
3184To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 24 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 17 th was duly rec d . The awkward state of the Law professorship is truly distressing, but seems to be without immediate remedy. Considering the hopeless condition of M r Gilmour, a temporary appointment, if an acceptable successor were at hand, whilst not indelicate towards the worthy moribund incumbent, might be regarded as equivalent to a permanent one. And if the hesitation...
3185To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Walker Maury, 24 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
In a letter which I wrote to the American Consul at Liverpool some time last year, I took occasion to congratulate him on the continuance of your good health, and stated your age at 81. In his reply, lately received, he suggests that I am in error as to your age, and requests me to ascertain the fact; as also the age of M r Dabney Carr, the class-fellow of you both; you two being the only...
3186To Thomas Jefferson from Bernard Peyton, 24 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your esteem d favor of the 21 st is to hand, & contents observd. The dfts: you intend to draw shall be duly honor’d when presented. I am glad to hear you are recruiting again in health & stength—the approach of spring weather will I trust be beneficial to you. I suppose Jefferson will be down soon to arrange the scheme of your lottery, the sooner the better, as many tickets might be sold to...
3187To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Eppes, 23 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
It was with infinite pain my D r Grandfather, that I saw your application to the legislature; the first information which reached me, of the immediate pressure of your difficulties: and I write as well to express, my unfeigned grief, as to assure you, that I return to your funds with the utmost good will, the portion of property which you designed for me:—and which I should always have...
3188To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 23 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I mentiond in a letter which I lately wrote to you, that I had seen in a paper from Richmond, a notice of an application which you had made to the legislature, for permission to sell a large portion of your estate, by lottery, for the payment of your debts, and that I should write you again on the subject. Since then I have been much indisposed, with the influenza, from which, I have not yet...
3189To Thomas Jefferson from Rice W. Wood, 23 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter upon the subject of an application to the Virginia Legislature, was handed to me by your Grand-son. I assure you that I felt gratified that you thought proper to make known to me your wishes upon that subject. and I immediately put my shoulder to the wheel to get the matter in progress. I found much aid in the suggestions you had put upon paper, upon the subject of Lotteries, in...
3190From Thomas Jefferson to Patrick Gibson, 22 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 8 th has been rec d as was in due season. the former one to which you observe you had rec d no reply, the fact was that I had worn out the knees of my pantaloons in the humiliating posture of an eternal suppliant at the feet of the govmt begging favors for others. I became tired of it, and thought ought at length to pay some respect to my own character and to rise from the...
3191From Thomas Jefferson to William Gordon, 22 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 17 th is rec d and I cannot sffly express to you my sense of the kindness with which my friends have exerted themselves in my behalf—a majority of one only even for leave to bring in the bill, and that too in the legislature of my native state was of appalling aspect. it was a certificate of character to other states and countries which could not but be painfully felt—the...
3192From Thomas Jefferson to George Loyall, 22 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the rec t of your favor of the 14 th and still more especially to acknolege the kindness with which you lent your aid to a late measure of extreme importance to me and to my family. the 1 st vote indeed was very appalling, and made me fear I had made a very improper proposition which could be rejected off hand by so great a proportion of the house. the practice of selling...
3193From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 22 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 13 th was recieved yesterday. your use of my letter with the alterations subsequently proposed, needs no apology. and it will be a gratification to me if it can be of any service to you. I learn with sincere affliction the difficulties with which you have still to struggle—mine are considerable—but the single permission given me by the legislature of such a mode of sale as...
3194To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Shore, 22 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
My heart is delighted at the result of your application to the Legislature—Perpetual disgrace belongs to that portion of the Legislature, which voted in the opposition—Permit me respectfully to say that M r Jefferson could not ask any thing of the State, which would be refused; first, because he would not a sk that , which ought not to be granted—second, ture he might ask, he has a right to...
3195To John Jay from Richard Peters, 21 February 1826 (Jay Papers)
I am recovering from a long spell of our fashionable Influenza which is leaving me debilitated; but not materially injured. Generally, thro’ a long pilgrimage, I have had no ^durable^ ill health or disease, chronic or temporary. So that it would be ingratitude to a kind providence, in me to complain. I often think of the few old friends left behind the multitudes who are gone to that...
3196From Thomas Jefferson to Nathaniel Macon, 21 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
How could you think, my dear friend, of appealing to me for materials for the history of N. Carolina? at the age of 83, scarcely able to walk from one room to another, rarely out of pain, and with both hands so crippled that to write a page is nearly the work of a day? I believe too that I never knew any thing about it , and if I did it is all forgotten. but I have observed, that at whatever...
3197To Thomas Jefferson from Bernard Peyton, 21 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
It affords me heart felt pleasure to inform you that your bill has passed the Senate, and is now a law of the Land—It was rec d in that body yesterday morning, read three times, (the rule of the House being suspended for the purpose) & passed forthwith, only four voting in the negative, (viz.) Ruffin, M c Carty, Morgan & Armisted.I hope it will afford you the most ample relief from your...
3198From Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton, 21 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your very kind letters, with those of other friends were real soothers of a kind of uneasiness I never had before experienced, which was the greater as the less expected. a majority of one in the legislature of my native state was an appalling idea. but it has ended well, and I count on days and nights of quiet which I had never seen since the coup de grace given me by a deceased friend. I...
3199To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Carrington Cabell, 20 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
On the next page you will find the vote of the Senate on the passage of your bill. Of the four senators who voted against it, two were carried off by their aversion to Lotteries. The Bill was committed at 12. I asked leave for the committee to sit during the session of the house. We reported at 1— & passed the Bill instanter. If the House of Delegates had not adjourned on account of the death...
3200From Thomas Jefferson to Sherman Converse, 20 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly reciev d your favor of the 1 st asking my examination and opinion of the plan of mr Webster’s dictionary, of which you inclosed me a sample. but worn down with age, infirmity and pain my mind is no longer in a tone for such exercises. I can only therefore express my regret that I cannot be useful to you in that way and assure you of my respect and best wishes for it’s success. DLC...