1To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 6 April 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my letter of yesterday, I have looked cursorily over all the charters in my office. Of those sent by Mr. Montagu the three which seem to concern the matter you are considering are the same that are in the appendix to Mr. Stith’s history and the other which is all that I have of them besides is an ordinance relating to the appointment of a council in England for the affairs of the colony....
2To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 5 April 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
I do not know that the terms on which the crown engaged to grant the lands in Virginia are contained in any other charter than that by Car. ii. the 10. of Oct. 28 of his reign. The original, I believe although the seal is not now to it, I found in my office; and I understand it is recorded in the Secretary’s office. A copy of it I now inclose to be sent by the first opportunity. In the mean...
3Resolution on Land Grants, [27 March 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
His Excellency the Governor having by proclamation bearing date the 21st. day of March in the present year declared that his majesty hath given orders that all vacant lands within this colony shall be put up in lots to public sale and that the highest bidder for such lot shall be the purchaser thereof, and shall hold the same subject to a reservation of one half-penny sterling per acre by way...
4Draft of Resolution concerning Adherence of New York to Articles of Association, [24 March 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
Ordered that certain paragraphs in the public papers, said to have been the votes of the house of representatives of New York be read. The house of Convention taking into their consideration that the said province of New York did by their delegates in General Congress solemnly accede to the compact of Association there formed for the preservation of American rights, that a defection from such...
5Memorandum Books, 1774 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 2. John Skip Harris (Cumbld.) v. John Hall (S. Carolina). Enter petn. for 750. as. Bedford on both sides of Calloway’s waggon road patd. by def. Dec. 23. 1754. 3. Thomas Jefferson (myself) v. Thos. Mann Randolph (Goochld.). Enter friendly cav. for 400. as. land Albemarle on the South West mountains adjoining Edgehill. 8. John Hylton estate. Give credit for two gross of bottles £3. 9....
6From Thomas Jefferson to Archibald Cary and Benjamin Harrison, 9 December 1774 (Jefferson Papers)
As I mean to be a conscientious observer of the measures generally thought requisite for the preservation of our independent rights, so I think myself bound to account to my country for any act of mine which might wear an appearance of contravening them. I therefore take the liberty of stating to you the following matter that thro’ your friendly intervention it may be communicated to the...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Ebenezer Hazard, with Jefferson’s MS Memoranda, 23 August 1774 (Jefferson Papers)
As the Collection, mentioned in the Proposals annexed, is a Matter of Importance to the Colonies in general, and may answer valuable Purposes, I flatter myself you will think it not unworthy of your Patronage;-and therefore take the Liberty of soliciting your kind Assistance by favouring me with the Use of such suitable Papers, relating to your Colony, as it may be convenient for you to...
8Draft of Instructions to the Virginia Delegates in the Continental Congress (MS Text of A Summary View, &c.), [July … (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved that it be an instruction to the said deputies when assembled in General Congress with the deputies from the other states of British America to propose to the said Congress that an humble and dutiful address be presented to his majesty begging leave to lay before him as chief magistrate of the British empire the united complaints of his majesty’s subjects in America; complaints which...
9Draft of a Declaration of Rights Prepared for the Virginia Convention of August 1774, [ca. 26 July 1774] (Jefferson Papers)
A Declaration of rights and League for their support by the inhabitants of Virginia. We the subscribers inhabitants of the colony of Virginia do declare that the people of the several states of British America are subject to the laws which they adopted at their first settlement and to such others as have been since made by their respective Legislatures duly constituted and appointed with their...
10Thomas Jefferson and John Walker to the Inhabitants of the Parish of St. Anne, [before 23 July 1774] (Jefferson Papers)
To the Inhabitants of the parish of Saint Anne. The members of the late house of Burgesses having taken into their consideration the dangers impending over British America from the hostile invasion of a sister colony, thought proper that it should be recommended to the several parishes in this colony that they set apart some convenient day for fasting, humiliation and prayer devoutly to...