Mr. Jefferson—a tall, straight, sandy-complexioned man, wearing a coat of Virginia cloth, surmounting a buff vest and broadcloth pants—advanced with an elastic step and serene countenance, when I was introduced, and greeted with the sweet, winning smile which so peculiarly distinguished him, and...
The old Citzn of Monticello is such a diplomatist, that he has quite baffled our schemes to obtain his opinion: and when we ask him one thing he tells us, he ‘has reason to believe’ something about another. A plague upon all diplomacy I say.
Your number of 1267. letters in a year, does not surprise me; I have no list of mine, and I could not make one without a weeks research. and I do not believe I ever received one quarter part of your number. And I very much doubt whether I received in the same year one twelfth part; There are...
I hope one day your letters will be all published in volumes. They will not always appear Orthodox, or liberal in politicks; but they will exhibit a mass of Taste, Sense, Literature and Science, presented in a sweet simplicity, and a neat elegance of Stile, which will be read with delight in...
his old age as yet has few of the infirmities, and none of the decrepitude incident to his advanced years and I hope as his affairs become more prosperous, the natural chearfulness of his temper so important to health, and life even will at his age, will return.
While we were at the Point it rained much of the time ... Two or three of the intelligent men that I found here spoke so confidently of the merits of a picture that they had, of Jefferson, by Sully, that I thought I would relieve both M[athews] and myself by a visit to the library. You know my...
We have all had a dreadful shock at an accident which was near proving fatal to my dear Grand-Father the other day in the river, and are more miserable than ever at his persisting in the practice of riding without a servant to attend him, while his arm is still in a sling and quite helpless. his...
My dearest grand-father is just recovering from a fever which lasted three weeks without intermission, and which Dr. Watkins & my brother ascribe to his daily visits last summ fall to the Mill-dam where he was in the habit of remaining from breakfast until dinner time. but this fever was...
23. VII. ... Mr Hay spoke as he always does with extreme bitterness of Mr Jefferson, whom he declares to be one of the most insincere men in the world ... Mr Jefferson – His enmity to Mr Monroe was inveterate though disquised, and he was at the bottom of all the opposition to Mr Monroe in Virginia.
Mr. Jefferson is between 81& 82–over 6 ft high–an ample long frame–rather thin & spare. His head which is not peculiar in its shape is set rather forward upon his shoulders & his neck being long when he is in conversation, or walking, there is a considerable protrusion of his chin...
His conversation is easy & natural & apparently not ambitious–it is not loud, as challenging general attention, but usually address to the person next to him–The topick, when not selected with regard to the character & feelings of his auditors, are those subjects with which his mind...
A few days after my arrival at Charlottesville I walked to Monticello to see Mr. Jefferson. I made myself known to his servant, and was introduced into his great room. In a few minutes a tall dignified old man entered, and after looking at me a moment said, Are you the new professor of antient...
At all times dignified, and by no means easy of approach to all, he was generally communicative to those on whom he could rely; and in his own house was occasionally free in his speech even to imprudence to those of whom he did not know enough to be satisfied that an improper use might not be...
The loss of Mr. Jefferson is one over which the whole world will mourn. He was one of those ornaments and benefactors of the human race, whose death forms an epoch, and creates a sensation throughout the whole circle of civilized man ... To me he has been more than a father, and I have ever loved...