1Enclosure: South Carolina College Faculty’s Account of Student Disturbances, 7 February 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
THE FACULTY Of the SOUTH-CAROLINA COLLEGE , with respect to the late occurrences , desire to state , THAT during the month of January, 1822, the Classes of Students had repeatedly, in a body, absented themselves voluntarily sometimes from prayers, and sometimes from recitations. It became necessary to stop this practice; for otherwise the College business would be subject to the controul of...
2Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 14 February 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you the history of a College rebellion (an annual case here) which p may be put by among the memoires pour servir à l’histoire du gouvernement academique ; facts that furnish some useful conclusions. You are to consider as true in addition the following facts: viz That the Professors have never been absent from a single recitation, so far as I know, since I have been at this College ....
3Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 30 June 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that Mr Eppes passed his examination with credit to himself, and satisfaction to the faculty , & to the Trustees who were present. I have no doubt that his next year will be spent profitably, as I clearly perceive a spirit of literary emulation among the young men here of all Classes. His talents are certainly above par, and his industry induces me to hope &...
4Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 23 June 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you the account of our collegiate Studies, which the Trustees have directed to be published. It does not meet my full concurrence, but under all circumstances, it is very well. I much doubt if there is a better appointed Institution in the United States than this. Our mathematical professor , with great modesty, and great industry in teaching, ranks with Bowditch , Audraine & Nulty ;...
5Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 12 March 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I am glad to find from M r Eppes ’s information, that the Legislature of Virginia has enabled the Visitors of the University to proceed with their Plan. When I passed by Montecello , it was with a view principally to ascertain whether any strong probability could be counted upon, as to the appointment of Professors; meaning to regulate my conduct here, by the information I could obtain at your...
6Thomas Cooper’s Order on Alexander Garrett, 20 October 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
Please to pay to my order, at the Bank of Virginia in Richmond , on the first day of January 1821 , Seven hundred and fifty dollars, being the remaining portion of the sum of fifteen hundred dollars, allowed me as Professor, by the Visitors of the University of Virginia at Charlottesville . MS ( ViU: TJP-PP ); in Cooper ’s hand, with notations in other hands as indicated; at foot of text in...
7Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 1 October 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I find it impossible to be with you so early as the 11 th of this month , I will therefore defer my visit, to Poplar forest , which will not be out of my way from Richmond to Columbia . I send you and M r Madison to day a pamphlet which I know not how to account for not having been Sent before. The contest so disgraceful to the Democracy of this state
8Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 8 September 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Vaughan cut the inclosed out of a Carolina Paper that came here yesterday. I suppose it must have been of date about the last of last month. I understand there have been no cases of sickness but among the irish who work on the Canal. I am with great respect RC ( MHi ); endorsed by TJ as received 24 Sept. 1820 and so recorded in SJL . Enclosure: clipping, pasted at foot of text, from the...
9Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 1 September 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote hastily yesterday for fear of losing the post. But as I believe I am in time to day, I write to say that I think there is nothing to be apprehended at Columbia in point of health. There is no swamp, no stagnant water near it; the mist of the River grounds, has never been known to cross the main street; and during the three last years, it has not only been healthy, but singularly so....
10Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 31 August 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
When I can be at Monticello I cannot yet determine. I attend to your movements. I write to say, that Columbia is situated on a Sand bank. One mile from the River, & 200 feet above it. I believe it to be as healthy, as any place in the Union, if I can judge from what I have seen of the place, & the uniform testimony of its most respectable Inhabitants. The situation impressed me with the common...
11Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 21 August 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for your friendly letter . I hope to go by land to Carolina & to be there, about the middle of Oct r . M rs Cooper takes my family by sea in November. I think if Mess rs Eppes & Baker are at Columbia by the beginning of the second week of Oct
12Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 12 July 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for your kind letter of the 4 th but I can give no decisive answer as to S. Carolina . The Trustees passed an unanimous resolution to apply to the Legislature for a new Professorship with 1000 Dlrs a year, giving me the option of Law or Geology and Mineralogy. I preferred the latter as more immediately connected with Chemistry, & they will apply for it. Whether the Legislature when...
13Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 3 May 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
On monday last 1 st instant , the board of Trustees of south Carolina College , at a regular meeting, (usually held here, during the courts of appeal in Law & Chancery , the Judges being Trustees) unimously unanimously determined That it should be proposed to and urged with the Legislature to appoint a Professorship of Geology and Mineralogy, or else a professorship of Law, with a Salary of...
14Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 24 April 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your letter announcing the prejudices excited among the people by the Clergy, without surprize. I have never published any thing on theological subjects in this country, but the Sentiments you may have read in my review of D r Priestley ’s philosophical & metaphysical writings. In England about 35 Years ago , I published something of the same kind, but neither here or there, any...
15Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 21 March 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yours of the 8 th yesterday. The contents greatly chagrined me, as it is on every account to be regretted that your Institution cannot go into operation till 1822; and even that period is contingent. I was right in the commencement of our correspondence on this subject, in taking into my calculations the chapter of accidents. I shall request M r Vaughan to transmit you a draught not...
16Enclosure: Thomas Cooper’s Order on Alexander Garrett, [by 3 March 1820] (Jefferson Papers)
Please to pay to the order of M r John Vaughan of this City seven hundred and fifty dollars being an anticipation in part of my salary as Professor in the University of Virginia agreably to the terms of my proposals in a letter to M r Jefferson of 25 Oct r 1819 MS ( ViU: TJP ); in Cooper’s hand, with notations in other hands as indicated; undated; adjacent to signature: “Treasurer of the...
17Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 1 March 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I have waited anxiously to hear from you whether I shall certainly be wanted at Charlottesville next Spring. My family are at a loss whe r to prepare for their departure thither, or to this place. I have this day received a letter from Richmond , enclosing the following extract from the Rev. J. H. Rice ’s evangelical Magazine for January last p 49. “ The Visitors of the University have made...
18Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 10 February 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
M rs Cooper writes to me that no letter has been received from you since my departure from Philadelphia , and desires to know whether she is to set out with her family to Virginia in the beginning of the Summer or sooner. My first course here, will end in June. my second will occupy four months of the next winter, when I shall quit this situation for Charlotte’sville If I am wanted there....
19Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 24 December 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I sent you yesterday a Democratic Press containing a view of the Missouri Question. I shall send the Seal &c by M r Stack . I set out to Charleston on Tuesday. By this days post I Send you a pamphlet to amuse you. should any thing occur, pray write to me at Columbia . As I know not whe r I shall be hear here again, I shall leave a draught either in favour of M r
20Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 18 December 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had the Seal for the University a long while by me, without knowing how to transmit it. The cost $16—which I think cheap. It is paid for. I shall set out to Columbia in South Carolina by the time you receive this. They have elected me Professor of Chemistry at the Columbia College ; at my request for 12 months only; as I stated to the trustees , my engagements in Virginia . should any...
21Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 24 November 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for your letter of the 19 th Inst . How I shall dispose of my own time next year, I know not. M rs Cooper is desirous of removing in Spring, and remaining there till I can join her; of course, if the garden walls could with propriety be finished round the garden, it would be a convenience. I have succeeded in my law suit , but the land I had verbally contracted to sell last April,...
22Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 25 October 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I have reflected on the proposal of the board of Visitors . Besides the untoward circumstances stated in my last letter to you , I have just received a letter from M r Wickliffe of Lexington Kentucky , stating that as I could not engage myself permanently there, in consequence of my previous engagement in Virginia , the board had declined the offer of my temporary assistance in favour of D r
23Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 22 October 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I received and perused with much surprize and regret, your communication of the 15 th Instant , announcing the Inability of the Visitors of the University of Virginia , to fulfil the proposals made to, and accepted by me. I was aware from what I had lately seen in the newspapers, that the Institution was under pecuniary difficulties, but I could not be aware of their extent, or their bearings....
24Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 11 October 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to you to Bedford Virginia , and since to Montecello . The castings were shipped about Six weeks ago to by M r John Vaughan who undertook the commission and thought it expedient to wait for a fresh assortment from the Furnace. The Bill will be presented to me and forthwith paid. About three months ago I procured a seal for the University , of which I sent you an impression: I did not...
25Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 13 September 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to you at the Bedford Springs of this State , supposing from what I saw in the newspapers, you might be there. The castings are at last furnished. J. Vaughan has undertaken to forward them according to your directions. The seal is done; & the impression sent to you, which as soon as it receives your approbation I will pay for, as I shall for the castings, when the account is sent to...
26Enclosure: Report on Thomas Cooper’s Collection of Minerals, 9 July 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
At the request of Professor Cooper , we have examined a Collection of Minerals, selected for the College of Charlottsville , and find them to consist of— 1st. Specimens of all the Rocks constituting the Primitive, Transition, Secondary and Flötz Formations. The specimens are large, and chiefly American. They fully illustrate the Geology of the United States , as far as it is at present known....
27Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 28 July 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Binns informs me he has sent you a copy of his Declaration of Independance; finished, except as to the arms of the United States ; and he desires me to say that when you have looked at it, he will feel himself obliged by any suggestion you may be inclined to make for the improvement of it; which he will carefully attend to. Mr Collins went to Baltimore just before the meeting of the...
28Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 21 June 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Vaughan has written to you that he will see to the Stoves & have them duly shipped. When I receive the acc t I will pay it. I have had much trouble in fixing on a Minerva. None to be found in Tooke , Spence , or any french Pantheon on authority. I examined Monfaucon , but I could find none worthy of being copied. I found the Minerva of Velletri in the
29Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, [22 April 1819] (Jefferson Papers)
M r John Vaughan as I am not yet able to walk about has undertaken to buy the Stoves and see them duly shipped to Cap t Peyton at Richmond to whom I will write when they are put on board the packet. I greatly regret to see in the papers that a wing of your house has been destroyed by fire: but I hope it amounts to no injury but what can be repaired. RC ( ViU: TJP ); partially dated at foot of...
30Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 18 April 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Ware is absent from Philadelphia I find, in order to take the benefit of the Insolvent Law in Delaware State . A respectable looking Quaker, a M r James has been twice with me, and appears to be a relation much interested in Ware ’s welfare. The result of the conversations is as follows. Ware will thankfully accept the terms you propose as to prices, which he considers as liberal. There...