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Extract from Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 27 Aug. 1786 [Quote]

knowlege indeed is a desireable, a lovely possession, but I do not scruple to say that health is more so. it is of little consequence to store the mind with science if the body be permitted to become debilitated. if the body be feeble, the mind will not be strong. the sovereign invigorator of the...

Extract from Thomas Jefferson to Maria Cosway, 12 Oct. 1786 [Quote]

and our own dear Monticello, where has Nature spread so rich a mantle under the eye? mountains, forests, rocks, rivers. with what majesty do we there ride above the storms! how sublime to look down into the workhouse of nature, to see her clouds, hail, snow, rain, thunder, all fabricated at our...

Extract from Thomas Jefferson to Maria Cosway, 12 Oct. 1786 [Quote]

the art of life is the art of avoiding pain: & he is the best pilot who steers clearest of the rocks & shoals with which it is beset. pleasure is always before us; but misfortune is at our side: while running after that, this arrests us. the most effectual means of being secure against...

Martha Jefferson (Randolph) to St. John de Crèvecoeur, [ca. 1787]

Miss Jefferson’s compliments to Mr De Crevecoeur, she cannot receive the valuable present he has been so kind as to send her. she considers the offer of it as a sufficient proof of his friendly disposition and begs leave in returning it to tender to him her esteem and her thanks

Extract from Thomas Jefferson to Edward Carrington, 16 Jan. 1787 [Quote]

I am persuaded myself that the good sense of the people will always be found to be the best army. they may be led astray for a moment, but will soon correct themselves. the people are the only censors of their governors: and even their errors will tend to keep these to the true principles of...

Extract from Thomas Jefferson to Edward Carrington, 16 Jan. 1787 [Quote]

the basis of our governments being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to keep that right; and were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter. but I...

Extract from Thomas Jefferson to Edward Carrington, 16 Jan. 1787 [Quote]

under pretence of governing they have divided their nations into two classes, wolves & sheep. I do not exaggerate. this is a true picture of Europe. cherish therefore the spirit of our people, and keep alive their attention. do not be too severe upon their errors, but reclaim them by...

Extract from Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 30 Jan. 1787 [Quote]

I am impatient to learn your sentiments on the late troubles in the Eastern states. so far as I have yet seen, they do not appear to threaten serious consequences. those states have suffered by the stoppage of the channels of their commerce, which have not yet found other issues. this must render...

Eliza M. Barclay to Martha Jefferson (Randolph), 2 Feb. 1787

The pleasure your agreable letter afforded me My dear girl would easily Make me forget forgive and even forget the uneasiness your silence gives me tho’ I cannot allow of the Justness of your Excuses for not writing as one sees by your letters that your time is far from being Employed in trifles....

Extract from Thomas Jefferson to Madame de Tessé, 20 Mar. 1787 [Quote]

would you believe Madam, that in [this 18th. centur]y, in France, und[er the reign of Louis XVI, they] are [at this mo]ment pulling down the circular wall of this superb remain [to pave a ro]ad? and that too from a hill which is itself an entire mass of stone just as fit, & more accessible. a...