1To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 9 March 1770 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you some nectarine and apricot graffs and grapevines, the best I had; and have directed your messenger to call upon Major Taliaferro for some of his. You will also receive two of Foulis’s catalogues. Mrs. Wythe will send you some garden peas. You bear your misfortune so becomingly, that, as I am convinced you will surmount the difficulties it has plunged you into, so I foresee you will...
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...
3To 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....
4From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, [June? 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
The dignity and stability of government in all its branches, the morals of the people, and every blessing of society, depend so much upon an upright and skilful administration of justice, that the judicial power ought to be distinct from both the legislative and executive, and independent upon both, that so it may be a check upon both, as both should be checks upon that. The judges, therefore,...
5To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 27 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Lord Dunmore, driven from Gwins, retreated to St. George’s island in Potowmack, a station we hear he found no less unquiet than what he left, so that he hath gone up that river, distressed, it is imagined for want of water. Ought the precept, ‘if thine enemy thirst give him drink,’ to be observed towards such a fiend, and in such a war? Our countrymen will probably decide in the negative; and...
6To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 28 October 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 18th instant , by some accident or other, did not come to hand before it was too late to answer it by this days post. Make use of the house and furniture. I shall be happy if any thing of mine can contribute to make your and Mrs. Jefferson’s residence in Williamsburg comfortable. Adieu. RC ( DLC ). TJ’s letter of the 18th instant is missing. It must have contained a request...
7To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 11 November 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
The resolutions describing treasons are inclosed. The report for ascertaining the value of coins , &c. remains in the same state of repose as you left it in, among several others that are, as the president says, not acted upon. I gave Col. Harrison an extract of that part of your letter which related to him, and asked him what answer I should make? He told me he would do what you desired so...
8To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 18 November 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Whenever you and the speaker think I should return to Virginia to engage in the part which shall be assigned to me in revising the laws , I shall attend you. As to the time and place of meeting and my share in this work, I can accommodate myself to the appointment, and be content with the allotment my colleagues shall make. In the mean time, I purpose to abide here, if the enemy do not drive...
9From Thomas Jefferson to George Rogers Clark, 3 January 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
As some Indian Tribes, to the westward of the Missisippi have lately, without any provocation, massacred many of the Inhabitants upon the Frontiers of this Commonwealth, in the most cruel and barbarous Manner, and it is intended to revenge the Injury and punish the Aggressors by carrying the War into their own Country. We congratulate You upon your Appointment to conduct so important an...
10From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, 1 November 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
I have got thro’ the bill ‘for proportioning crimes and punishments in cases heretofore capital,’ and now inclose it to you with a request that you will be so good as scrupulously to examine and correct it, that it may be presented to our committee with as few defects as possible. In it’s style I have aimed at accuracy, brevity and simplicity, preserving however the very words of the...
11From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, 1 March 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I left you I have reflected on the bill for regulating the practising of attornies, and of our omitting to continue the practitioners at the county and General courts separate. I think the bar of the general court a proper and an excellent nursery for future judges if it be so regulated as that science may be encouraged and may live there. But this can never be if an inundation of...
12Thomas Jefferson and George Wythe to Benjamin Harrison, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The committee appointed in pursuance of an act of General Assembly passed in 1776, intituled “An act for the revision of the laws,” have according to the requisitions of the said act gone through that work, and prepared 126 bills, the titles of which are stated in the inclosed catalogue. Some of these bills have been presented to the House of Delegates in the course of the present session two...
13To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 9 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Notwithstanding those to whom the bills were drawn immediately payable, could not have been entitled to more than the value received for them, I think that Mr. Nathan, the endorsee, if he were not privy to that transaction, and actually paid cash, or an equivalent for them at par when he took them up, may equitably, as well as legally, insist upon the assumpsit; because the terms of the...
14To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 31 December 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
A few days after the reduction of York I returned to Williamsburg, and accompanying Mr. Madison, waited on general Washington, with an address of the university among other things, desiring him to give orders, that the college, which we found employed as an hospital, might be evacuated so soon as it could be done conveniently. He was very civil, and gave a kind answer; but for that business...
15To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 10 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
My neighbour Madison, just now, sent to me a pacquet , which i perceived, by the superscription, to have come from you; a favour little deserved by one who had not writen to you since you crossed the atlantic. I will not say what was the cause of this silence; but can swear, that the cause was not forgetfullness of you, nor want of good will for you. Before i opened the pacquet observing it to...
16To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 10 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
In a letter, written lately to you, after acknowledging the receipt of a pacquet, i begged you, if it would not be inconvenient, to procure for me the arms of Taliaferro, engraven on a small copper plate, with the name Richard Taliaferro, and this motto, taken from Επτα επι Θηβας Αισχυλου, S.598. Ου δοκειν αριςος αλλ’ ειναι or without αριςος , if you think it, omitted, will be understood. In...
17From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, 29 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by Mr. Paradise, a Græcian and honest man by birth, a gentleman and man of learning by education, and our countryman by choice, the most rational of all titles. I need not say more to ensure him all the services you can render him. He has a heart which will repay your attentions with overflowings of gratitude. Probably he will want your counsels, perhaps too your...
18From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, 13 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of Jan. 10. and Feb. 10. came to hand on the 20th. and 23d of May. I availed myself of the first opportunity which occurred, by a gentleman going to England, of sending to Mr. Joddrel a copy of the Notes on our country, with a line informing him that it was you who had emboldened me to take that liberty. Madison, no doubt, informed you of the reason why I had sent only a single...
19To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 13 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
By the letter, which i lately received from you, i find myself indebted further for that kind attention to me, to prove which you never suffer an opportunity to pass unheeded. I am endeavouring to satisfy the inquiry of the Tagliaferris, near Florence, about their emigrant kinsman, according to Mr. Fabbroni’s desire. At present i incline to think that this person was he whom Buchanan, rerum...
20To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 22 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Lest a letter, which, a few days ago, i wrote to you, should not come to your hands, i now write this, to entreat, that you will let us have your thoughts on the confederation of the american states, which is proposed to be revised in the summer following. I mentioned in that letter, that Peter Carr was attending the professors of natural and moral philosophy, and mathematics, learning the...
21To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, January 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Would not the figures to which one must advert in studying geometry, formed of wood, metal, or ivory, be more instructive than those, which are delineated on paper? If you think so, and if such figures can be procured where you are, i wish to know the cost of them, that i may remit money to pay for them, when i will beg the favour of you to send them to me. RC ( DLC ); endorsed: “Wyth George.”...
22From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, 6 May 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Paradise being desirous of placing the conduct of his steward under the controul of some one or two good gentlemen in the neighborhood of his estate, has desired me to recommend his affairs to the persons whom I should think best. But since my departure from Williamsburg things are so much changed that I am incompetent to that nomination. I therefore advise him to execute a power of...
23From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, with Enclosure, 16 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now to acknowlege the receipt of your favors of Dec. 13. and 22. 1786. and of Jan. 1787. These should not have been so long unanswered, but that they arrived during my absence on a journey of between 3. and 4. months through the Southern parts of France and Northern of Italy. In the latter country my time allowed me to go no further than Turin, Milan, and Genoa; consequently I scarcely...
24To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 10 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The books , which you sent last september did not arrive here until this day. They shall be distributed according to your appointment. For my part of them i owe many thanks but indeed, my good sir, such presents are too costly. P. Carr still attends me daily. I think him well advanced in the greek and latin languages. Your directions for prosecution of his studies will be profitable to him and...
25From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, 17 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My friend Mr. Eppes is informed that his son’s situation at the college, by subjecting him to attendance on certain courses of lectures, withdraws him from the pursuit of what you might recommend preferably. But his first wish being that his son should follow implicitly what you would be so good as to recommend, he does not hesitate to decide on his quitting the college, and boarding in such a...
26To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 22 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I have not been able, after long inquiry, to obtain the writings of Phlegon mentioned by Ferguson in his tables and tracts. Probably you can tell to whom and where application may be successfull. When you find convenient to give this information, add to the favour an etiquette, which may direct my London correspondent, to whom, with it, i shall transmit a bill of exchange, in procuring some...
27From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, 13 June 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
An indisposition of several weeks has prevented my sooner acknowledging the reciept of your favor of Apr. 22.—The bookseller whom I have employed at Strasburgh always is Armand Koenig. A Biographical dictionary to which I have been obliged to have recourse for information about Phlegon, authorises me to inform you of these circumstances relative to him. He was surnamed Trallion, from a city in...
28To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 31 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The report which you, my much respected sir, sent to me, had been seen and read over and over again by me three weeks ago. Thanks are due for it, and it is deposited among my treasures. RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received 14 Sep. 1790 and so recorded in SJL
29To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 10 January 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
When you can attend to trifles, tell me your opinion, in general, of the drawing inclosed with this; particularly, should not parties appear before the judge? Is not the skin of Sisamnes , whose story, you know, Herodotus relates, added by Mr. West to the original design, an improvement? On the reverse, are not the words ‘state of Virginia,’ on the exergon, since within it are represented...
30From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, 14 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I am really ashamed to be so late in acknowleging the reciept of your favor of Jan. 10. which came to hand the 2d. of February. But during the session of Congress the throng of business was such as to oblige me to suspend all my private correspondence. Their recess now enables me to resume them. I think the allusion to the story of Sisamnes in Mr. West’s design is a happy one: and, were it not...
31To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, [before 19 June 1792] (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the ‘rights of man’, which you sent to me. When you have leisure, I beg the favour of you to employ Mr. Scott, or some other good hand, to make a seal for our court of chancery. The diameter of it I would not have more than that of a dollar. I send the design by Mr. West. Put any part of it, or any thing else of which you more approve, on the seal. The assembly have given...
32From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, 12 July 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
On receipt of your favor inclosing the device for a seal, I had enquiry made of different workmen here, and have found one of them alone, who is within the bounds of reason. This is a Mr. Poupard who will do the seal for 32. dollars for each side, say 64. for the two sides, in brass, and for twice that sum in steel. I have thought it best to ask your pleasure in which metal you will have it...
33To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 24 July 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I wish, my dear sir, to refer the whole business of the seal to your judgment; and if the cost excede the general assembly’s allowance so much as twenty pounds, will advance the money, although they may refuse to reimburse it. My best wishes ever attend you and your connections. A seal of a small size seems most convenient; but I know not the fit size to admit a proper exhibition of the...
34To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 15 August 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to you lately, kind sir, begging the favour of you to direct in every thing about the seal, and undertaking to add twenty pounds to the money allowed for it by the general assembly. The smallest size will be most convenient; and perhaps the figures may be represented on a small as well as on a large one. I pray you to remember me affectionately to all your family, and that you will...
35From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, 11 September 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favors referring to me the size and execution of the seal for your court, and as I can best decide on this after a consultation with the artist and due enquiry from him, I refer it till my return to Philadelphia which will now be within about ten days.—As I propose to return home to reside at the close of the next session of Congress I hope I shall then have...
36From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, 26 February 17[93] (Jefferson Papers)
I have just now received your favor of [15 Feb. 1793. A?] law is passed on the subject of patents which [will require Mr.?] Clarke to present his petition anew. This [will appear?] in the newspapers within a few days. Having [only given?] it a slight reading in the Roll, I am unable [to give you a?] particular account of it. Your seal is promised in time to [be given to Mr.?] Giles on his...
37From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, 17 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Your seal not being finished till this morning I was not able to send it by any of the gentlemen bound directly to Richmond. I now put it into the care of Mr. Madison and Colo. Monroe, who go to Fredericksburg and there will find some person going on to Richmond. It has been delayed by an error in the engraver, who in engraving the word EYΘEIAN , mistook the Y for a ψ and had engraved the...
38From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, 27 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I received not till yesterday your favor of the 12th. Mr. Poupard was paid the 64. Dollars agreed for, on the delivery of his work. As draughts on Richmond cannot be disposed of here, take any opportunity at your convenience of remitting the sum here. The Custom house officers can generally give post-bills of the bank of the US. here: but these must not be confounded with branch-bank bills...
39From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, [26 May 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
I duly received, my Dear Sir, the note you inclosed for the 64. dollars which was paid.—We have two blind stories here of which as yet we make nothing. The one is that DuMourier is gone over to the Austrians. The credit of this stands on an English paper only. It is opposed (not by the virtue of the man; he has none, but) by the great forfeit of reputation which he has acquired with the world,...
40George Wythe to Thomas Jefferson and Edmund Randolph, 17 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The citizens of Richmond wish you, or one of you, if the other be absent, to present to the president their address which is inclosed with This. I am your friend RC ( DLC ); addressed: “Thomas Jefferson secretary of state and Edmund Randolph, attorney general, Philadelphia.” Enclosure: Inhabitants of Richmond and vicinity to George Washington, Richmond, 17 Aug. 1793, expressing approval of...
41Thomas Jefferson and Edmund Randolph to George Wythe, 1 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Aug. 17. was received, and the address it covered was immediately delivered to the President. We are sincerely & affectionately Your’s PrC ( DLC ); entirely in TJ’s hand; at foot of text: “George Wythe, Chancr. of Virginia.” Tr ( ViU : Edgehill-Randolph Papers); 19th-century copy. Recorded in SJL as a letter from “Th:J. & E.R.”
42From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, [23 October 1794] (Jefferson Papers)
I received a few days ago your friendly enquiries after my health. I have had a painful and tedious rheumatic complaint. It has now nearly left me. I inclose for your perusal a little treatise by Kuster on the use of the Middle voice in Greek. I never saw a copy of it till I met with this, nor had ever heard of it. I presume therefore it may be new to you; and if it gives you half the pleasure...
43To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 1 November 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
An apt begining to a letter containing a prescription. Put on sheeps clothing. It will cure rheumatic pains, is comfortable in winter, after one summer not unpleasant in that season, less unpleasant than linen in all seasons, when we perspire freely. Probatum est . You send Kuster for my perusal. I can peruse nothing but court pa pers. This employment by habit is become delectable. In it I...
44To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 26 March 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
Can you contrive that people who want, may obtain, copies of the acts of general assembly , now to be found in your collection only, without trouble to yourself, and without danger of loss or detriment to the books? Farewell. RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ and recorded in SJL as received 7 Apr. 1795. This letter and TJ’s 18 Apr. 1795 response began the protracted but successful effort to provide...
45From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, 18 April 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you sincerely for your book . I shall read it with great pleasure and profit, and I needed something the reading of which would refresh my law-memory. My collection of acts of assembly are in a very chaotic state, insomuch that I have not had the courage to attempt to arrange them since my return home. As soon as this is done, I shall send the printed acts to be bound in Richmond after...
46Bill in Chancery on the Henderson Milldam, [24 September 1795] (Jefferson Papers)
To George Wythe Judge of the High Court of Chancery of Virginia humbly complaining Sheweth your orator Thomas Jefferson of the County of Albemarle, that he is and upwards of thirty years has been seized by devise from Peter Jefferson his father of a tract of land in the said County on both sides of Rivanna river and including the bed thereof on the north side of which river and on the said...
47To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 1 January 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
The general assembly, at their late session, enacted that a collection of the laws, public and private, relative to lands , shall be printed. Those, who are appointed to perform the work , despair of doing it, without your aid. If you will permit your copies to be sent hither, I will be answerable for thear restitution in the same order as when they shall be received. Be so good as let me...
48From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, 12 January 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your letter on the subject of the laws, and certainly will trust you with any thing I have in the world. A waggon was going off this morning from hence to Varina, and I have exerted myself to send them by that. As I have always intended to have my copies bound up so as to make as complete a set as I could, I thought it best to do this now, before you begin to make use of...
49Enclosure: Statement of the Laws of Virginia, 13 January 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
A statement of the Volumes of the Laws of Virginia, Manuscript and Printed in my possession A M.S. marked A. given me by the late Peyton Randolph. It had belonged to his father Sr. John Randolph, who had collected papers with a view to write the history of Virginia. It is attested by R. Hickman, and contains the acts of 1623/4 Mar. 5. 35. acts MS. marked purchased of the executors of the late...
50From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, 16 January 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I was so hurried to get ready my collection of printed laws before the departure of the waggon, that I did the work imperfectly. I have since found the laws of 1783. May and Octob. which I should be glad to have added to the end of my 6th. volume. If you can procure a copy of those of 1773. I will pray you to add it to the end of the 5th. volume, and in both cases to make corresponding changes...