Thomas Jefferson Papers

Thomas Jefferson to John Quincy Adams, 12 May 1821

To John Quincy Adams

Monticello May 12. 21.

Th: Jefferson returns his thanks to mr Adams for the copy he has been so kind as to send him of his very able and profound Report on Weights and measures. from the general view, the only one he has yet had time to take of it, it seems really to present every thing which is useful on the subject. he shall read it seriously, with the interest he takes in the subject and with an earnest desire to wish success to any metrical system which may be hoped to obtain a general adoption. he salutes mr Adams with high consideration and esteem.

RC (MHi: Adams Papers); dateline at foot of text. PoC (NN: Lee Kohns Memorial Collection); on verso of a reused address cover from Arthur S. Brockenbrough to TJ; endorsed by TJ.

The report was Adams, Report upon Weights and Measures (Washington, 1821; Poor, Jefferson’s Library description begins Nathaniel P. Poor, Catalogue. President Jefferson’s Library, 1829 description ends , 12 [no. 714]; TJ’s copy in MBAt, with a small scrap containing a possibly related brief notation in TJ’s hand affixed to top of first page of Appendix; inscribed by Adams: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr From John Quincy Adams”). Adams sent the same enclosure to John Adams and James Madison (John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 May 1821 [MHi: Adams Papers]; Madison, Papers, Retirement Ser., 2:324).

Index Entries

  • Adams, John; works sent to search
  • Adams, John Quincy; letters to search
  • Adams, John Quincy; Report upon Weights and Measures search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Books & Library; receives works search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Opinions on; weights, measures, and coinage search
  • Madison, James (1751–1836); works sent to search
  • Report upon Weights and Measures (J. Q. Adams) search