1From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Coolidge, 24 October 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I should not have delayed a single day the answer to your interesting and acceptable letter of the 13 th inst. but that it found me suffering severely under an imposthume formed under the jaw, and closing it so effectually as to render the introduction of sustenance into the mouth impossible, but in a fluid form, and that latterly sucked thro’ a tube. after 2. or 3. weeks of sufferance, and a...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Coolidge, 15 January 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I owe you many thanks for the two last books you have been so kind as to send me. I have derived a great deal of information from Russel for the use of our University. I had only a borrowed copy, and had been disappointed in getting one from England: Bosworth is a treasure of Anglo-Saxon learning. there is much in him valuable, and new to me. he treads indeed in the footsteps of D r Hickes and...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Coolidge, 12 April 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
The arrival of our Professors from abroad has at length enabled us to get our University into operation. their failure to arrive by the day we had announced for it’s commencementt lost us for a while many students, who supposing, with most of us, from the length of time they had been out, that they must have perished, engaged themselves elsewhere. we began on the 7 th of March with between 30....
4From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Coolidge, May 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
A clock is wanting for the Rotunda of the University; the size and strength of it’s works must be accomodated to two data. 1. the bell weighs 400. ℔ and is to be heard . with certainty 1½ miles 2. the dial-plate is to be about 6 . feet 3. I. diameter. it is to be fixed in the tympanum of the Pediment of the Portico. The triangle of this tympanum has not been measured exactly yet, therefore we...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Coolidge, 13 October 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
It is so long since I ought to have written to you that I am ashamed to quote your last date. the information particularly which you were so kind as to obtain and furnish me, as to the cost of a college clock should have been answered. but finding the price you mentioned far beyond our expectation and funds, I took time to have other enquiries made. these however did not result in bringing the...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Coolidge, 18 November 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson gives this Writing desk to Joseph Coolidge jun r as a Memorial of affection. it was made from a drawing of his own, by Ben Randall, cabinet maker of Philadelphia, with whom he first lodged on his arrival in that city in May 1776. and is the identical one on which he wrote the Declaration of Independance, Politics, as well as Religion, has it’s superstitions. these, gaining...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Coolidge, 4 June 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
You have heretofore known that the ability of the University to meet the necessary expences of a bell and clock, depended on the remission by Congress, of the duties on marble bases and capitels used in our buildings, a sum of nearly 3000,D. the remission is granted, and I am now authorised to close with mr Willard for the undertaking of the clock, as proposed in your letter of Aug. 25. I must...
8From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Coolidge, 22 June 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Feb. 27. came to hand in due time; that of the 15 th inst. was recieved yesterday. I have this day directed our Proctor to have 250.D. immediately remitted to yourself for mr Willard, to hold 250.D. more ready to be called for at his convenience, & to count on paying the whole balance at the final conclusion. whenever therefore mr Willard’s convenience may make it acceptable to...