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...

... that death which leaves a deep impression, is my venerable friend’s of Monticello – Although prepared for it from his age & infirmities, yet I was most sensible to the shock when it did arrive – This indeed I now consider as one of those struggles of nature against...

I am obliged candidly to own that thus far it has fallen far below my expectations—And I fear that the apprehension (which I always felt to a certain degree, that when its master & creative spirit was gone, it would languish dwindle & decay,) has begun already to be realized. Indeed it...

I made a trip to Washington, almost entirely to converse with Mr. Jefferson on the subject. Sometime in January, 1809, I called on him in company with Wm. Kirkpatrick, Esq. of Salina, then Member of Congress, who introduced me, and informed him, that in view of his proposal to expend the surplus...

Mr Jefferson’s own character, in spite of the mistakes which prevail among many persons in regard to it, was essentially christian and could have been formed under no other influences than those of the Gospel. He was, if ever man was, merciful, pure in heart, a peace-maker, one who forgave his...

It is not, I assure you, possible that any one can cherish a higher respect for the memory of Mr Jefferson or be more sincerely disposed to do it honor than myself. He was the undisputed founder of our political School; & whilst we sincerely respect his principles & in good faith,...

It is with no little astonishment that we have seen Dr. Hawks accused of illiberality in his few remarks upon “that noble monument of liberty,” the Act for the Establishment of Religious Freedom. If there is any thing beyond simple justice in his observations we, for our own parts, cannot...

when it grew too dark to read, in the half hour that passed before candles came in, as we all sat round the fire, he taught us several childish games, and would play them with us ... When the candles were brought, all was quiet immediately, for he took up his book to read, and we would not speak...

Although Sir Augustus Foster in his notes lately published ... candidly says, he believed his careless toilette and unceremonious manners to be mere affectation, assumed to win popularity. The picture this gentleman has drawn of Mr. Jefferson is a mere characature, in which those who personally...

Mr. William Kirkland ... has written much for the magazines ... A valuable essay on “The Tyranny of Public Opinion in the United States,” (published in “The Columbian” for December, 1845,) demonstrates the truth of Jefferson’s assertion, that in this country, which has set the world an example of...

Old master had abundance of books: sometimes would have twenty of ’em down on the floor at once: read fust one, then tother.