Thomas Jefferson Papers

Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 20 August [1820]

To James Monroe

Monticello Aug. 20.

Dear Sir

The gardener who is the subject of your letter is perfectly free to any engagement. being about to quit his present position, he was anxious to fix himself somewhere near enough to supply Charlottesville & the University with vegetables, fixed his eye on that spot of meadow between you & me, and applied for it to me. I had neither wish nor interest that he should settle there, & merely agreed to it because he desired it. I did not say it should be rent free, but did not mean to take rent from him. I wished indeed to find a place for him nearer to Charlottesville, and shall be pleased if he finds yours eligible on other accounts, so that I shall be as much gratified as himself if he can get a better situation.—I have for sometime been suspicious of Alexander & feared much his holy alliance.

I was just mounting my horse this morning to visit you when first came in A. then B. then C. & D. Etc which kept me at home. affectionately yours

Th:J.

RC (MH: Autograph File); partially dated; addressed: “The President of the US. Highlands.” Not recorded in SJL. This document, located after the pertinent chronological volume was published, will appear in the concluding supplement to the print edition.

Monroe inquired about William Bain, the gardener, in his 19 Aug. 1820 letter to TJ.

Index Entries

  • Alexander I, emperor of Russia; and Holy Alliance search
  • Alexander I, emperor of Russia; TJ on search
  • Bain, William; and lease of Albemarle Co. land search
  • food; vegetables search
  • Highland (J. Monroe’s Albemarle Co. estate); TJ visits search
  • Holy Alliance; and Alexander I search
  • Holy Alliance; TJ on search
  • horses; TJ rides search
  • Monroe, James (1758–1831); and European affairs search
  • Monroe, James (1758–1831); and W. Bain search
  • Monroe, James (1758–1831); letters to search
  • Virginia, University of; Administration and Financial Affairs; food for search