Thomas Jefferson Papers

Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 21 July 1821

To Thomas Mann Randolph

Monticello July 21st1 21.

Dear Sir

The Visitors of the University of Virginia proposing to avail the institution of the authorisation of the act of the late General Assembly concerning the University, to borrow a further sum of 60.M.D. and preferring to obtain it from the President & Directors of the Literary fund, have directed me to make application to them accordingly. and understanding that there is at present a sum of thirty thousand Dollars at their disposal, I tender to them a bond for that sum which I request them to lend to the university. the bond is drawn as nearly conformable with those formerly given as the difference of the two cases would admit. the law permitting a postponement of the instalments of the former debts of 40.M. and 20.M.D. without limiting the time, and leaving indefinite also the term of the present loan. the condition of the bond does the same; because, at this moment we are not able to say exactly when the annuity will have cleared itself of the expence of the buildings. our Proctor is now engaged in bringing up the settlement of disbursements & debts and we count with confidence that this will be effected in time to enable us to ascertain the epoch at which we shall be able to commence instalments, before the meeting of the next legislature. I pray you to tender to the board, & to accept yourself the assurance of my great respect & consideration

Th: Jefferson

RC (DLC); addressed: “His Excellency Governor Randolph Richmond”; franked; endorsed by Randolph as received 7 July 1821, probably a mistake for 27 July. PoC (ViU: TJP); on verso of reused address cover of John Taliaferro to TJ, 4 June 1821; edge trimmed; endorsed by TJ as a letter of “July <14.> 21. 21.”

The bond enclosed here was likely a missing text of the Bond of University of Virginia Board of Visitors to Literary Fund President and Directors of 3 Aug. 1821, with date and figures following those of the extant 2d Dft of that document before TJ reworked them in response to the refusal of the President and Directors of the Literary Fund to loan the University of Virginia more than $29,100 at this time (Randolph to TJ, 31 July 1821).

1Reworked separately from “14” in RC and PoC, with superscripted “st” omitted in PoC.

Index Entries

  • An act concerning the University of Virginia (1821) search
  • Brockenbrough, Arthur Spicer; as University of Virginia proctor search
  • Literary Fund; and loans for University of Virginia search
  • Randolph, Thomas Mann (1768–1828) (TJ’s son-in-law; Martha Jefferson Randolph’s husband); as Literary Fund president search
  • Randolph, Thomas Mann (1768–1828) (TJ’s son-in-law; Martha Jefferson Randolph’s husband); letters to search
  • Virginia, University of; Administration and Financial Affairs; accounts of search
  • Virginia, University of; Administration and Financial Affairs; Bond of University of Virginia Board of Visitors to Literary Fund President and Directors search
  • Virginia, University of; Administration and Financial Affairs; funding for search
  • Virginia, University of; Board of Visitors; and loans for University of Virginia search
  • Virginia; General Assembly search