Jefferson Quotes & Family Letters

It gave me great concern to have been prevented by ill health from attending the last meeting of the agricultural society, but I requested Mr: Garnett to explain my views to you, as I presume he did. Indeed they were chiefly explained in my letters and inclosures to Doctor Adams. And nothing for the present remains to be added, except, that if the lottery and the manufactory shall succeed, we ought I think to send our agent to Europe, to colect collect and bring over to us, all models of all the valuable agricultural tools which we do not possess, to be deposited as copies in the contemplated museum. I will attend the December meeting if I am well, and the lottery shall succeed.

I intended when I saw you to have mentioned an anecdote to you, which I have often related to others; but forgot it. Mr: Wirt Eulogises Mr: Henry, for proposing in the first convention held in the church at Richmond, to arm the militia, as if it was both a bold and a wise resolution. At this convention, the subject of raising troops was agitated for the first time, and an ordinance passed for raising two Regiments. Your father strog strenuously urged the raising of a considerable number of troops, I think 15 or 20 thousand during the war, and literally fore told the decline of the then existing ardour for enlisting, and the calamities it produced. Being a constant galary attended on attendant that convention, and going soon after into the army, his arguments became were by the interest of the moment and subsequent events, imprinted deeply on my mind. none of the leading members supported him. This was clearly the wisest and boldest proposition which had been made. Mrs Henry’s proposal was both impracticable, and never attempted to be executed, even by himself, when he soon after became governor. So far from arming the militia, some of their arms were impressed in a few weeks towards arming the first regiment of which Mr: Henry was then appointed Colonel.

If the anecdote of Mr: Henry’s nominal proposal deserves to be preserved, that of your father’s substantial measure ought not to be lost. I am, respectfully, Sir