1To James Madison from John Wayles Eppes, 15 December 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 December 1809. Encloses a letter from James P. Preston of Virginia and recommends him for the position of Indian agent in the Louisiana Territory. RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 59, LAR , 1809–17, filed under “Preston”). RC 1 p. Enclosure is Preston to Eppes, 29 Nov. 1809 (2 pp.). St. George Tucker also wrote to JM on Preston’s behalf on 20 Dec. 1809 (ibid.).
2To James Madison from John Wayles Eppes, 18 January 1810 (Madison Papers)
A letter has been received by Mr. Kenan of North Carolina from an officer of the army of good character and veracity stating That of the Troops at Orleans only 950 remain—That of these 520 are on duty and convalescent—That 150 have deserted and about 850 have died since their being stationed there. This extraordinary situation of our force there is attributed to a disobedience of orders from...
3To James Madison from John Wayles Eppes, 8 February 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 February 1810, Washington. Upon learning that Mr. Graham has declined the governor’s post in Louisiana has decided to suggest Col. Benjamin Howard as “peculiarly well calculated for a station where military as well as civil Talents may be important.” The suggestion is made without Howard’s knowledge, but that officer’s name came to mind since Louisiana is “a station … surrounded by hordes of...
4To James Madison from John Wayles Eppes, ca. 12 February 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Ca. 12 February 1810. Informs JM that “Colo: Howard will accept the appointment.” Suggests that unless the public interest requires an immediate nomination, a delay would be prudent, since Howard is reluctant to deprive his constituents of his vote on important matters still pending before the House. RC ( DLC ). 1 p. Dated “Monday Morning.” Conjectural date assigned here on the basis that 12...
5To James Madison from John Wayles Eppes, 24 March 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 March 1810, Congress Hall. Has learned from William Branch Giles that Mr. Dublois, “who is soliciting the appointment of purser was dismissed from the Navy yard under the Federal administration for peculation—That he practiced actual fraud on the workmen and on the public.” If an appointment has not yet been made, perhaps JM can ascertain if the charges can be supported by evidence. To...
6To James Madison from John Wayles Eppes, 1 November 1810 (Madison Papers)
My absence from chesterfield prevented my receiving your letter until a few days since. When the papers relating to the proceedings of the convention were put into my hands for the purpose of being copied Mr. Jefferson was very particular in his charge. I understood from him perfectly that it was a trust entirely confidential. The particular and confidential manner in which he entrusted them...
7To James Madison from John Wayles Eppes, [31 January] 1811 (Madison Papers)
Jno W Eppes presents his respects to the President. He considers the subject on which he conversed with him today as of so much importance as to merit a deliberate decision of the question whether it is better for the public interest that the non importation law should be at present pushed in the House of Representatives or whether it should be suffered to lie until we asscertain with more...
8To James Madison from John Wayles Eppes, 31 October 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 October 1812, Petersburg. Reports that “Many respectable citizens of this place are anxious for the appointment of Mr. Peter Purryear as the successor of our unfortunate friend George Jefferson.” Informs JM that Puryear comes from Mecklenburg County, Virginia, and has “acquired reputation and wealth unaided by Foreign connection or capital.” “For his character and standing as a merchant,”...
9To James Madison from John Wayles Eppes, 29 June 1813 (Madison Papers)
I received a few days before my confinement the enclosed letter from Mr. Richard Dabbs of charlotte covering one for yourself. You will find in his letter to me a request that I would state to you who he is. He is a Baptist preacher in the county of charlotte. A man of excellent private character of good understanding & a very eloquent & influential man in his society. A firm supporter of the...
10To Thomas Jefferson from John Wayles Eppes, 22 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The difficulty which I allways feel in begining a correspondence has hitherto debared me from the satisfaction of writing to you but I am determined to remain silent no longer, as I am certain that you will pardon all deficiencies which I may be guilty of. It would indeed be almost useless to write unless I had something to mention [in p]articular besides enquireing after your health, of which...
11From Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 28 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter which you were so kind as to write to me the 22d. of May 1786. was not delivered to me till the 3d. of May 1787. when it found me in the neighborhood of Marseilles. Before that time you must have taken your degree as mentioned in your letter. Those public testimonies which are earned by merit and not by sollicitation may always be accepted without the imputation of vanity. Of this...
12From Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 14 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Your departure hence is so recent that nothing has occurred worth communicating to you. The object of the present letter is merely to inclose to you an account presented me by Peter Gordon the shoemaker, who supposed you had forgotten him. As I know that there is sometimes a forgetfulness on the side of the Creditor, I told him I would pay the account if you should admit it to be just. You...
13To Thomas Jefferson from John Wayles Eppes, 1 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I received two days ago your favor of the 14th. of April, and although I am apprehensive I have already trespassed too far on your goodness, must accept of the offer you have been kind enough to make of discharging Gordons account. Forgetfulness on the part of the Creditor is but too general, and the present instance of negligence may afford you just grounds for supposing, I am not altogether...
14From Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 12 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just received from Donald & Burton the invoice of your books . Thinking you would be impatient to hear something of them, I inclose you the invoice . They have been shipped from Dublin on board the Young eagle, Elias Lord. The four last in the invoice came here under the care of Mr. Marshal, who told me he would have them delivered to me as soon as they could be come at in the ship....
15From Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 3 September 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
I find on recurring to the papers that the name of the person for whose tobacco I am charged was Thomas Cobbs . The year does not appear: but it must have been 1785. or 1786. Nor does the warehouse appear.—Mr. Giles joined us, the day after you left us, and after a stay of a week or 10 days he went on to the springs, from whence he will return with Mr. Randolph. A letter from Mr. Randolph 2...
16To Thomas Jefferson from John Wayles Eppes, 25 September 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
To avoid the difficulties, which must ever attend personal applications, on subjects important and delicate, I have adopted the present mode of addressing you. A stranger to forms, and following the impulse of my feelings, I have ventured to indulge, and express, sentiments, for a part of your family, which ought perhaps, to have received your previous sanction. Could I hope, that should time...
17To Thomas Jefferson from John Wayles Eppes, 19 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I have it now in my power to inform you that all obstacles to my happiness are removed, and that in every arrangement as to future residence, I shall be guided by yourself and Maria. I am with sincere regard yours RC ( MHi ); addressed: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as received 19 Dec. 1796 and so recorded in SJL .
18To Thomas Jefferson from John Wayles Eppes, [17 November 1797] (Jefferson Papers)
The badness of the roads prevented our reaching Millers last Evening. We arrived here at an early hour after being overset once without receiving the smallest injury. The Carriage went down so gradually that the glass windows which were up received no injury. Marias foot improves with traveling. She walked last evening conveniently without her stick. She is well this morning in good spirits...
19From Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 21 December 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Presuming that you get the newspapers I shall not repeat the public news which they detail. The great victory obtained by the English over the Dutch fleet is placed beyond doubt, they have taken 9 out of 16. As to the proceedings of Congress, they have passed a bill putting off the commencement of the Stamp act till July next. The land tax will not be taken up this session. It is suspected...
20From Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 18 February 179[8] (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 1st. inst. and three days ago recieved Maria’s of the same date. we have intelligence which seems to be authentic that the Spaniards have delivered up the posts on the Missisipi. this is the more welcome, as the commencement of war in that quarter seemed more imminent than it is with France. we are certainly more indebted for avoiding it to the good sense & moderation...
21From Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 11 April 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letter from Maria was of Mar. 20. & from yourself of Feb. 8 . the dates of my latest to Maria were of Apr. 1. Mar. 7. and to yourself of Feb. 18. you have seen in the papers the resolutions proposed by mr Sprigg, the first of which was that under existing circumstances it is not expedient to resort to war with France. it is very uncertain how this would have been decided. but the...
22From Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 6 May 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 11th. of April, & the day after recieved yours of Apr. 4 . I inclosed you at the same time the communications just then recieved from our envoys. others are lately recieved, but, as far as made known to us, they contain only a long memorial given in by them, justifying all our complaints , and repelling those of France. it takes up the subject from the time of Genet’s...
23To Thomas Jefferson from John Wayles Eppes, 24 November 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just time by my Father who is setting out for Richmond to acknowledge the reciept of your letter and to return Marias thanks and my own for the arrangement you have made with my Sister—The bustle of a wedding and a large company have prevented our writing for some weeks—For the future I may venture to promise we shall not neglect our friends. Maria has been very well since leaving...
24To Thomas Jefferson from John Wayles Eppes, 20 January 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
On my return here from Bermuda-Hundred I found your last letter & as an opportunity to Petersburg offers I inclose two plats one of the Lands lying immediately at the Hundred and the other of My part of Martins Swamp. My Father has always estimated the 2 pieces at £6000—So anxious am I however to purchase higher up the Country that I would willingly make a sacrifice—You are as well acquainted...
25From Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 21 January 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to my dear Maria on the 1st. inst. and covered it in one to yourself on the 3d . I have not yet recieved any letters either from you or Monticello since I left home, now five weeks.—you will have seen the debates on Logan’s law, as it is called. the forged paper they endeavored to palm on the H. of R. as if written & presented by Logan to the French directory, being made appear to have...
26To Thomas Jefferson from John Wayles Eppes, 24 January 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter on the subject of Bermuda Hundred I neglected to say any thing in answer to that part of yours which relates to rent and Tenants. In this part of Virginia we are so little in the habit of leasing that it would be difficult to say what any Lands would rent for. Mine are well situated for that purpose and might be conveniently divided into four farms of 100. acres—each of which...
27From Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 7 February 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Jan. 20. & 24. are duly recieved. in the former you mention the reciept of £40. for me, and Maria’s of the next day says that mr Eppes expected to recieve £30. more for me at the ensuing Cumberland court. not having heard from mr Randolph on the subject of the hire of your negroes, I was in the moment of recieving your letter, just about to inclose you a draught on George Jefferson...
28From Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 7 June 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
We have for some time past had as little communication almost as if we did not know how to write. mr Randolph’s journies have given us mutual information of the welfare of both families & of course has lessened the occasion for writing. your prospect of a crop here has been as good as could be, independant of the seasons. but there has been through the whole of this part of the country an...
29From Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 4 July 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday a letter from Doctr. Taylor informing me he had paid very nearly the whole sum he owed me to mr Hanson, whose certificate was in the hands of French on it’s way to me. as soon as I recieve this certificate I shall not hesitate to redeliver to him the patents of the mortgaged lands in Greenbriar &c. be so good therefore as to leave them with mr Eppes, praying him barely to...
30From Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 21 December 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor from the Hundred came to hand the [day before] yesterday. I have been detained here a week by bad weather. [this morn]ing mr Nicholas & myself breakfasted at Sun-rise to set out: but heavy snow is now come on. we shall start as soon as it holds up. our election was yesterday. Woods carried it against P. Carr by 247. against 122 votes. those of your people who were unwell when you...