From Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 27 May 1805
To John Wayles Eppes
Washington May 27. 05.
Dear Sir
Not understanding the conveyance to you by post beyond Richmond, I have thought it safest to remit the 100. D. for you to Gibson & Jefferson, subject to your order, which is done this day. I was never better pleased with a riding horse than with Jacobin. it is now really a luxury to me to ride. The early prevalence of sickness here this season will probably drive us hence earlier than usual, perhaps by the middle of July. I shall proceed almost directly to Bedford, and will there take to my assistance Mr. Clay & mr Clark and lay off at the East end of the tract so much as shall, taking quality & quantity into consideration, be equal to the average value of 1000. as. of the whole tract generally. the tenderest considerations ensure a conscientious performance of this duty, and to be governed by the judgment of those who knowing the tract well will have no motive but to do what is right. I shall hope on my return from Bedford to find you at Monticello with the beloved children, objects of my tenderest sollicitudes. I shall not be without a hope of seeing mr & mrs Eppes also at Monticello. tho I cannot now repay their visits, if they will trust me 4. years, I will overgo the measure. you will see in the papers an extra letter of Elliott’s of extraordinary aspect. it contains some absolute untruths. but what is most remarkeable is that expressions are so put together as to be literally true when strictly1 considered & analysed, & yet to convey to 99 readers out of 100. the most absolute & mischievous falsehoods. it is a most insidious attempt to cover his own opinions & passions under the mantle of the executive, and to fill with inquietude the republicans who have not the means of good information. present me to mr & mrs Eppes & family & accept my affectionate salutations.
Th: Jefferson
RC (ViU); at foot of text: “Mr. Eppes.” PoC (DLC). Notation in SJL: “100. D.”
A letter of 9 May from Eppes, recorded in SJL as received from Bermuda Hundred on 15 May, has not been found.
For laying out a tract of land at Poplar Forest for Eppes, TJ was probably expecting the assistance of Charles Clay, a longtime friend who lived nearby, and Bowling Clark, TJ’s former overseer there (, 2:78n; TJ to Eppes, 25 Mch.).
extra letter of Elliott’s: during the spring and summer, Vermont Republican congressman James Elliott published 11 letters addressed to his constituents explaining and defending the reasons he had split with his Republican colleagues on a number of issues during the Eighth Congress. The letters were reprinted widely, and by late May, TJ could have possibly read the first six. From his characterization, the president was most likely referring to the fourth letter, in which Elliot discussed passage of the Twelfth Amendment, which he claimed had been “carried through both Houses by the undue influence of a few individuals, and by the combined operations of intrigue and terror” (New York Daily Advertiser, 13 Apr., 14 and 23 May; Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser, 30 Apr.; Alexandria Daily Advertiser, 10 May; Keene New Hampshire Sentinel, 13 July).
1. Word interlined in place of “closely.”