Plan your visit. 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, New York, NY 10016.

Plan your visit. 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, New York, NY 10016.

Polygraphic copy of a letter signed : Rockfish Gap, to his daughter Martha, 1818 Aug. 4.

BIB_ID
361552
Accession number
MA 1029.179
Creator
Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826.
Display Date
1818 Aug. 4.
Credit line
Purchased by J.P. Morgan Jr., 1925.
Description
1 item (1 p.) ; 25.0 cm
Notes
Docketed.
Jefferson used the polygraph to make copies of his letters from 1806 until his death.
Part of a large collection of letters from Thomas Jefferson to his daughter Martha. Letters in the collection are described in individual records; see main record for MA 1029 for details.
The letter includes an autograph postscript asking for the bill for his bed to be sent immediately.
The references to Drs. Cooper and Patterson refers to the selection of Robert Maskell Patterson over Thomas Cooper to be Chair of the Chemistry Department at the University of Pennsylvania.
This letter concerns the meeting Jefferson attended at the Mountain Top Tavern at Rockfish Gap to select Charlottesville as the site for the University of Virginia.
To "my dear daughter."
Provenance
Purchased by J.P. Morgan Jr. from Fanny Burke, 1925.
Summary
Reporting on the success of the meeting; saying that "Staunton had 2. votes, Lexington 3. the Central college 16. I have never seen business done with so much order & harmony nor an abler nor pleasanter society. we have been well served too. excellent rooms, everyone his bed, a table altho' not elegant, yet plentiful and satisfactory;" saying that he might be staying longer at the Springs as "everybody tells me the time I allot to the Springs is too short. that 2. or 3. weeks bathing will be essential;" expressing disappointment that he might miss a visit from Mr. Correa; reporting that "Cooper has failed in his election, Dr. Patterson having obtained the Chemical Chair."