Jefferson Quotes & Family Letters

Dear Sir

Richmond Dec. 16. 1818

I recd. yours of the 9th inst.—The papers enclosed I handed immediately to the auditor—If you do not find it convenient to send money here—I can pay it for you—

You will have of the knowledge of our procedings from the Enquirer than I could give you in a dozen letters—You have seen that the report of the Comee for fixing a scite for an University has been referrd to a Committee of whom I am one. We met last week I directed our chairman to prepare a Bill in conformity with the report and as some understood to leave the scite blank—but he understood otherwise and included in the Bill the Central College as the scite—We met on Monday morning last at which time the Bill was presented as I have mentioned—a considerable & warm discussion took place in the Comee as to leaving the scite blank—If not left so we wanted the papers that Col. McDowell presented to the Comrs to show the value of the offers from Lexington, the College & the deed of conveyance from Robinson, which I expected would have accompanied the report of the Comrs or have been put into Bowyers hands—I should have written immediately for them but I expected it was known then that we had them not—and also of how much importance every item is in a question that may be so nearly balanced—I must request your attention to those papers yet—

Our Comee meets to morrow morning on this subject—

There has been some expectation that an attempt would be made at the meeting of the Cincinati which met on Monday last and yet continues its session—to appropriate or rather change the former appropriation from Washington College to the Central College—If such a measure was intended, those who had this intention never proposed it—but the Society entered into resolutions of which Col. H. Bowyers showed me a copy to day—confirming the former appropriation in as strong terms, as we could wish—I think we may safely conclude this question is forever at rest—Col. Bowyers also informed me that the funds are upwards of $17,000. all well secured—

The revission of the laws is progressing notwithstanding the multiplicity of petitions—

To day the memorials were presented respecting the appointment of Sherifs for the counties of Meclinburg & Bedford—I believe these cases are very similar to that of Rockbridge—

The report & maps of the survey of James river &c. has not yet been made—before the Legislature met I was busily engaged maping the Rivers since which I have to attend several committees, especially the Comee for roads & internal navigation to whom much business is referrd The Board of Public works have been siting every day this week some part of the day—& a Comee of that Board almost every night which I had to attend—I had a long address to copy from the Trustees of Washington College to the Cincinati & to spend some time conversing with the members of that society—and¹ my maping not yet finished—so you see I have full employment—no time to strut about the street with my hands in my pockets &c.—I am now writing while my room companion is sleeping—