I have expected a letter from My Dear Jefferson, for several months, with the most anxious impatience, but I am resolved to render my conviction subservient to my wishes, and to believe that anything rather than loss of health, or want of affection to your friend, have occasioned your long...

my method is to make two observations a day, the one as early as possible in the morning, the other from 3. to 4. aclock, because I have found 4. aclock the hottest & day light the coldest point of the 24. hours. I state them in an ivory pocket book in the following form, & copy them out...

Jefferson is a slender man; has rather the air of stiffness in his manner; his clothes seem too small for him; he sits in a lounging manner, on one hip commonly, and with one of his shoulders elevated much above the other; his face has a sunny aspect; his whole figure has a loose, shackling air....

in political œconomy I think Smith’s wealth of nations the best book extant.

Locke’s little book on government is perfect as far as it goes.

I have always believed it better to be settled on a small farm, just sufficient to furnish the table, and to leave one’s principal plantations free to pursue the single object of cropping without interruption.

Immediately on receiving your letter I sent my servant back to Monticello for the Memo of the agreement between you & Mr Jefferson, which I had left not thinking I shd want it. The journey cannot be performed in less than 4 days & at the expiration of that time it shall be returned to you...