75901From Thomas Jefferson to Frances Dorothy Cartwright, 29 April 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Before the rec t of your favor of Sep. 29. the public papers had announced the unwelcome tidings of the death of the worthy patriot Maj John Cartwright, your respected uncle. his virtues merited well the affections of his own country and were duly honored here; how could our sympathies be insensible of the peculiar afflictions of his family and near connections to whom his kind affections had...
75902From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Lee, 10 August 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 14 th and with it the prospectus of a newspaper which it covered. if the style and spirit of that should be maintained in the paper itself it will be truly worthy of the public patronage. as to myself it is many years since I have ceased to read but a single paper. I am no longer therefore a general subscriber for any other. yet to encourage the hopeful...
75903Thomas Jefferson to John Jacob Astor, 24 May 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Mar. 14. lingered much on the road & a long journey, before I could answer it, has delayed it’s acknolegement till now. I am sorry your enterprise for establishing a factory on the Columbia river , and a commerce thro’ the line of that river and the Missouri , should meet with the difficulties stated in your letter. I remember well having invited your proposition on that...
75904From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 12 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
In consequence of the orders of the Legislative and Executive bodies of Virginia, I have engaged Monsr. Houdon to make the Statue of Genl. Washington. For this purpose it is necessary for him to see the General. He therefore goes with Doctr. Franklin, and will have the honor of delivering you this himself. As his journey is at the expence of the state according to our contract, I will pray you...
75905Thomas 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
75906From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 23 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his affectionate salutations to mr Madison and incloses him the extract of a letter from mr Granger, giving information of constant trespasses committing on a certain species of timber growing on the public lands on lake Erie, of great value, and which he presumes should be the subject of a charge from the Secretary of state to Governor Hull. he presumes the Governor...
75907Thomas Jefferson to Horatio G. Spafford, 28 June 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of May 29. came to hand 2. days ago. age and a stiffening wrist render writing slow and painful, and oblige me to adopt almost a lapidary stile: this is the effect of an antient dislocation of the wrist. I have given up my farms to be managed by my family, and take no concern in them myself. I tried the Ruta baga when first brought from England and found it the best table-turnep I...
75908From 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...
75909Thomas Jefferson to William Wirt, 8 October 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved your 3 d parcel of sheets just as I was leaving Poplar Forest , and have read them with the usual pleasure. they relate however to the period of time exactly, during which I was absent in Europe . consequently I am without knolege of the facts they state. indeed they are mostly new history to me. on the subject of style they are not liable to the doubts I hazarded on the 1 st...
75910From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 23 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the trouble you have been so good as to take in the case of Mrs. Trist. I have sent her a copy of your letter and I now trouble you with a letter to Mrs. Champernoune. If we do some good by these enquiries we shall share the happiness of it. The illness and death of the Count de Vergennes have retarded my departure on my journey till the 27th. I foresee nothing to hinder it...
75911From Thomas Jefferson to Frederick Winslow Hatch, 6 July 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his friendly salutations to mr Hatch incloses him an order on mr Raphael for the tuition fees. of Benjamin & Lewis Randolph for the last half year. NjP : DeCoppet Collection.
75912Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Hart Benton, 24 December 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
Th:J. returns his thanks to m r Benton of Missouri for the copy of the petition of the University of Virga he has been so kind as to send him. he recieves it as an augury that mr B. approves of approbn of it’s principles object ,
75913From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Sr., 11 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Ammonit sent me your favor of May 7 . which you expected he would have brought. He furnished me with the name of the family to whose property he supposes himself entitled, and the name of the town where it lies. I have endeavored to have them searched out, but as yet neither family nor town is discovered: if they can be found, the estate will then be to be searched for; the laws for...
75914Thomas Jefferson to Oliver Barrett, 20 February 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
Being desirous of getting a Spinning machine simpler than any of those made on the Arkwright plan, so simple indeed as that we can use and keep it in order in our families in the country where we have nothing but very coarse workmen, I consulted D r Thornton of the Patent office on the subject. he recommends yours as coming more nearly within my views than any other and carrying about 20....
75915From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, [ca. 1 April 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer Horseley enlisted for 2 years in a company raised in this county for one of the Virga. battal’s of 1775. In the winter now past, and before his time was out, he was unfortunate enough to desert from the service. Having had lesure to repent he some time ago made application to me through a third person to advise him what to do. I let him know that (his life being forfeited) there was...
75916From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 25 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Isaac Briggs, of the adjoining state of Maryland, being desirous of employment in some part of the superintendance of the manufacturing company of Baltimore, has asked me to say what I know of him to yourself as a channel through which it may be conveyed to those on whom his emploiment may depend. he was the keeper of a school in this neighborhood with whom I became acquainted accidentally....
75917From Thomas Jefferson to Nicholas B. Pryor, 16 October 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 1 st inst. is recieved. if your tin covering has failed, it must have been from unskilfulness. perhaps it has been put on in whole sheets, or plain like shingles, which will not do. altho the opern is so simple that any person of common sense may learn it in 3. hours as well as 3. years, it would take sheets of writing to give all it’s details and might still be defective...
75918Thomas Jefferson to James H. McCulloch, 14 December 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday evening your’s of the 6 th informing me of the arrival at Baltimore of sundry packages of wine and other things for me, and I hasten to ask the favor of you to forward them to mr Gibson at Richmond by an opportunity to that place direct, lest they should be blocked up by the ice in your port, or blocked out of James river . I recieved at the same time an invoice from mr...
75919From Thomas Jefferson to James Lyle, 20 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
It was fully my expectation, and you had a right to expect that I should have paid you 1000. D. in the course of the last summer, but the resource for that paiment was unavoidably taken up by another call. my tobacco of the last year is now either arrived or arriving at Richmond consigned to messrs. Gibson & Jefferson, and I inclose you a letter directed to them, & authorising them either to...
75920From 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,...
75921From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 2 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 22d. since which I have received yours without date, but probably of about the 18th. or 19th. an arrival to the Eastward brings us some news which you will see detailed in the papers. the new partition of Europe is sketched, but how far authentic we know not. it has some probability in it’s form. the French appear busy in their preparations for the invasion of England:...
75922Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Ritchie, 20 March 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
A few days before I recieved your favor of the 16 th I had recieved one from a friend in Massachusets , shewing their sensibility on the imputed claim of our having given the ‘first impulse to the ball of the revolution.’ I cannot better answer your letter than by sending you an extract from the answer I gave to that , which I now do. it does not however appear to me that this question is...
75923From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Beale Ewell, 30 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the pamphlet you have been so kind as to send me, and shall read it with pleasure in the first leisure moment. how far a general work on chemistry is yet to be desired you are more able to judge than I am. but of the importance of turning a knolege of chemistry to houshold purposes I have been long satisfied. the common herd of philosophers seem to write only for one another....
75924From Thomas Jefferson to Jean & David Baux, 28 December 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of the 12th. of Dec. some days ago. Immediately on the appearance of the Arret of Sep. 28. I had applied to the ministry for such an explanation of it as should shew it was not intended to extend to the whale o[ils] of the United States, nor to abridge the privileges given us by the Arret of Dec. 29. They promised to take it into consideration and in the mean time to give...
75925To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 16 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of putting under cover to your Excellency, some Letters to Generals Philips & Reidesel, uninformed whether they are gone into New York or not, and knowing that you can best forward them in either Case. I also trouble you with a Letter from the Master of the Flag in this State to the British Commissary of Prisoners in New York, trusting it will thus be more certainly conveyed...
75926From Thomas Jefferson to Boyd, Ker & Co., 30 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson has the honour to present his compliments to Messieurs Boyd & Ker and to inclose them a letter for Mr. Rutledge, with two bills of exchange of twelve hundred livres each. PrC ( MHi ). SJL Index records an undated letter from Boyd, Ker & Co. under this date, perhaps an acknowledgment of the above.
75927To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 30 April 1801 (Madison Papers)
I hasten the return of the bearer that he may meet you at Brown’s and convey you information as to the road. From Songster’s I tried the road by Ravensworth, which comes into the turnpike road 4½ miles below Fairfax courthouse. There are about 2 miles of it which I think cannot be passed by your carriage without oversetting; and consulting with Colo. Wren who knows both roads, he says there is...
75928From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 16 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the Speaker of the H of R and asks the favor of him, when the papers accompanying his message of this day shall have been read in his house, to be so good as to deliver them to mr Harvie, who will be waiting to carry them, with a similar message, to the other house. but one copy of them was recieved, and it was thought best not to retard the communication...
75929Notes on Candidates for Public Office, 23 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
1800. Dec. 23. Majr. Wm. Munson , bearer of the Connecticut votes, recommendd. by Pierrept Edwards as a good Whig. he is surveyor of the of New haven. was a good officer in the revolutionary war. he says that about a twelvemonth ago, the Marshal of that state turned out his deputy marshal, because he summoned some republicans on the grand jury. it seems the Marshal summons the juries for the...
75930Thomas Jefferson to Randolph Jefferson, 16 February 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
After several disappointments in getting your watch from Richmond , I recieved her a week ago. I sent for Stephen , who came to me and pretended to be sick. finding he did not mean to go to Snowden I had concluded to send her to you in a day or two, when Squire arrived. she appears to have gone well since I have had her, except a little too fast. with respect to Stephen mr Randolph got rid of...
75931Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 24 August 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
It is our purpose to set out from this place for Monticello on Monday the 13 th or perhaps on Sunday the 12 th of next month. As Henry , his mule and little cart will be necessary to carry our baggage, I would wish him to leave Monticello on Sunday morning the 5 th making stages at Tooler ’s on this side the river at
75932Notes on Cotton, [ca. 24 March 1792] (Jefferson Papers)
Cotton. Dunlap’s paper. 1792. Mar. 24. Nashville. ‘I have made 600. ℔. of cotton on half an acre of land, but on a moderate calculation an acre will produce 1000. ℔.’ MS ( DLC ); entirely in TJ’s hand; undated. TJ copied from an extract in Dunlap’s American Daily Advertiser , taken in turn from a 1 Oct. 1791 letter to the editor appearing in the 3 Mch. 1792 issue of Bowen’s Virginia Centinel &...
75933Thomas Jefferson to Patrick Gibson, 15 March 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
As the time for renewal of my notes in the banks must now be at hand I inclose blanks for this purpose. there is another in the Farmer’s bank under the endorsement of Cap t Peyton for the discount on which I have requested him to call on you. I was sorry to percieve by your letter of Feb. 24 . that the pressure of the times on mercantile concerns had not yet abated. the long continuance of...
75934To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 12 May 1822 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for the communication of mr. Rush’s letter which I now return. Mr. Bentham’s character of Alexander is I believe just and that worse traits might still be added to it equally just. He is now certainly become the watchman of tyranny for Europe, as dear to it’s oppressors as detestable to the oppressed. If however he should engage in war with the Turks, as I expect, his employment...
75935To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 17 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Ths. Jefferson 17 June. 1783,” also “June 17. 1783. ideas of Constitution.” Many years later William Cabell Rives, author of a detailed biography of Madison’s career to 1797, as well as an editor of his papers, added to the docket, “Mr. Henry’s course as to the Impost Act.” Your favours of the 13th. & 20th. Ult. came to hand about a week ago. I am...
75936From Thomas Jefferson to William Taylor, 7 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I now inclose you an order of the bank of the US. at this place on that at Baltimore for two hundred & thirty three dollars & a third on account of mr John Kelly, 200. of which are agreeable to a former order, and thirty three and a third under a later one of which he has or probably will advise you. I salute you with respect. MHi : Coolidge Collection.
75937From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 25 April 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 16th. of March, as was the latest I have received from you. By the proposition to bound our country to the Westward I meant no more than passing an act declaring that that should be our boundary from the moment the people of the Western country and Congress should agree to it. The act of Congress now inclosed to you will shew you that they have agreed to it, because...
75938From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Leiper, 6 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of June 3. were duly recieved. I made the last year but little tobacco, and my overseer informed me it was not good. it was deemed generally an unfavorable year both for the quality and quantity of tobacco made. in consideration of the quality I have lodged mine at Richmond with a view of selling it there; and had authorised my correspondent to take 6. D. @ 90. days for it. I have...
75939From Thomas Jefferson to David Gelston, 21 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Hoping that the present favorable change of weather will re-establish the health of New York, and restore it’s commercial communications, I take the liberty of recalling to your mind your letter of July 23. in which you mentioned that you had recieved from mr Appleton a bill of lading for 10. cases of Tuscan wine, & that you would forward the wine. I presume the wine itself arrived and now ask...
75940From Thomas Jefferson to George Hammond, 3 January 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, Mr. Louis Osmond , desires me to [convey?] to you the circumstances known to me relative to his emigration to America. Mr. Osmond, about three years ago, arrived in America from France, and brought me letters of recommendation from [several?] persons of rank and character there informing me that his fa[mily?] having from some circumstances lost their fortune there, [he had?]...
75941From Thomas Jefferson to Elizabeth House Trist, 1 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 13th. is duly recieved. I have not yet had a good opportunity of speaking with mr Gallatin on the subject of mr Fowler ; but it shall be done; and whatsoever the justice due to others may permit, will with pleasure be yielded to your wishes. I must observe at the same time that such is the effect of our conciliation plan, & so strongly has it operated on the minds of our...
75942Pass for Charles? Torriano, [1780?] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Torriano has permission to visit Colo. Wilson Miles Cary at his residence either in Fluvanna or Hanover, he there considering himself as under all the obligations of his parole other than that which is meant to be hereby dispensed with as is necessary to give him the benefit of this permission. Dft ( DLC ). There were two Torrianos who were British officers serving in America: Charles, It....
75943From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Smith Barton, 14 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Jan. 18 . is duly recieved. the subject of it did not need apology. on the contrary should I be placed in office, nothing would be more desireable to me than the recommendations of those in whom I have confidence, of persons fit for office. for if the good withold their testimony, we shall be at the mercy of the bad. if the question relative to mr Zantzinger had been merely that...
75944Thomas Jefferson to Frederick A. Mayo, 14 June 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I sent you the other day about 20. small volumes to be bound. when ready be pleased to deliver them securely done up in strong paper, to Col o Peyton who will forward them by a waggon, and at the same time send me your bill which shall be promptly paid. a remember always to put silk tapes into the volumes . I salute you with friendship and respect. P.S. do not forget the Johnson ’s dict y
75945From Thomas Jefferson to Archibald McCalester, 22 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 1st. of November and recollect with pleasure our acquaintance in Virginia. With respect to the schools of Europe, my mind is perfectly made up, and on full enquiry. The best in the world is Edinburgh. Latterly too, the spirit of republicanism, has become that of the students in general and of the younger professors; so that on that account also it is eligible...
75946From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 4 April 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Knowing the interest you take in the progress of our University, I will now undertake to give you some account of it; and it is not till now that any thing definitive could have been communicated. The selection of Professors from Europe has been most judiciously made. they are 5. in number, most of them a little under or over 30. years of age, one only being something over 40. of the highest...
75947From Thomas Jefferson to Walter Jones, 15 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th. Jefferson salutes Dr. Jones with friendship and encloses him an additional letter in behalf of Rob. C. Page. he is certain that his claims as well as those of Edward Lloyd Lomax cannot be better placed than under the patronage of Dr. Jones, with whom the merit of their fathers & families will have a just weight, when all other considerations are equal. an anxiety that the higher officers...
75948Thomas Jefferson to Joel Barlow, 31 December 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
In removing my effects from Washington I had the misfortune of having a trunk stolen, which, besides papers of irretrievable value, contained other things highly prized, & among them nothing more so than a Dynamometer I had just recieved from France . the Agricultural society of the Seine had sent me one of Guillaume’s ploughs, which, by that instrument was proved to require but half the force...
75949From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 29 August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a duplicate of a Letter to Evan Baker to furnish supplies to your post, which perhaps you have an opportunity of forwarding, also Letters extending the powers of the commissioners of the provision law for the counties of Albemarle, Orange, Culpepper, Louisa, Fluvanna, Buckingham, and Amherst to wheat and flour of the present crop, and of those for the counties of Bedford,...
75950Notes on Candidates for the Legislative Council of Orleans Territory, 6 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Morgan Clarke Watkins Jones. declines William Kenner Romans of Attacapas (Creole. no English.) < Wm. Kenner of US. > mercht. N.O. Wikoff. Appalousas 1. of these { < George Pollock > Dr Dow Boré Poydras of Pt. Coupé Bellechasse