to the Rev. Dr. Francis Wayland, of Rhode Island; to General Tench Tilghman and General John Spear Smith, of Maryland; and to the late Hon. William L. Marcy, Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson, General John A. Dix, the late Dr. Theodoric Romeyn Beck, Hon. George W. Clinton, Hon. Addison Gardner, the late Hon. Henry P. Edwards, Rev. Mr. May, Hon. John J. Taylor, Dr. S. B. Woolworth, Dr. J. G. Cogswell, of New York.

Cortland Village, N. Y.

September, 1857,

CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

1 complete analytical Index will be found at the end of the third volume.]

CHAPTER I.

1743-1764.

Topography of Virginia-The Birth-place of Mr. Jefferson-Early Settlement of the State

-Large Estates acquired by the Lowland Proprietors-Their Style of Living, Manners,

Habits, and Character-Other Social Strata-Mr. Jefferson's Ancestors-His Grand-

father-Early History of his Father, Colonel Peter Jefferson-Colonel Jefferson's

Estate He marries Jane Randolph-Genealogy of the Randolph Family-Its Settle-

ment and Great Success in Virginia-Isham Randolph, the Father-in-law of Colonel

Jefferson-Colonel Jefferson's first Civil Offices-Birth of Thomas Jefferson-Colonel

Jefferson's Removal to Tuckahoe-Assists in surveying Boundary Line and construct-

ing Map of Virginia-His Return to Albemarle-Appointed Colonel of his County-

Elected a Member of the House of Burgesses-His Death and Character-His Training

of his Son, and Influence in forming his Character-Mr. Jefferson's Mother--Her Cha-

racter-Family Record-Childhood of Mr. Jefferson-His Religious Training-His

Early Education and Amusements--First meets Patrick Henry-Euters College-His

Relatives at Williamsburg-His Habits of Study-His Morals and Standard of Action-

Influence of Dr. Small-Second Year in College-Attainments and Favorite Branches-

Branches which were not Favorites-Mental Characteristics-Favorite Authors-

Studies Law with Mr. Wythe-Intimacy with Governor Fauquier-Habits as a Law

Student-First Love-Personal Appearance, Accomplishments, Conversational Powers,

Temper, etc.-Becomes of Age,

CHAPTER II.

1764-1773.

Mr. Jefferson's Earliest Political Opinions-Opposition to the Views of his Relatives-

The Declaratory and Stamp Acts-Patrick Henry's Resolutions against the Stamp Act

-Jefferson present at the "Bloody Debate "-His Description of it-Mr. Trist's

Memoranda-Death of Jefferson's Sister--Family Details-His Garden, Farm, and

Pocket Account-Books, etc.-His Precision and Fondness for Details-Examples-

Mental Characteristics indicated-A Peculiar Habit in Conversation-Journey North-

Meets Gerry-Admitted to practise Law in the General Court-His Taste for his Pro-

fession-Extent, Character, and Profits of his Practice-Declines Colonel Nicholas's

Business-His Erudition and Ability as a Lawyer--His Adaptation to the Profession-

His Qualifications for an Advocate-His Zeal in collecting Ancient Statutes-Letter

giving a Course of Reading and Study for a Lawyer-Appointed a Justice-Elected to

the House of Burgesses-Session of 1769-Dissolved by Lord Botetourt-Association

of the Members-Shadwell burnt-Jefferson takes up his Residence at Monticello--

British Imposts of 1767 repealed-Tea Tax retained--Virginia Politics from 1770 to

1773--Jefferson's Plans for embellishing his Estate-Extracts from his Early Writings

-His Marriage-Family, Character, and Appearance of his Wife-Anecdote of Rivals

-Annoying Adventures-Death of Jefferson's Father-in-law-His and his Wife's

Patrimony-Losses on British Debts-His Providence in Money Matters-His Esta

blishment Taste for Horses-His Horsemanship-Old Wormley's Recollections-

Specimens of the Garden-Book,

.

36

СНАРТER III.

1773-1775.

Meeting of the House of Burgesses, 1773-Causes of Irritation-Committee of Corres-

pondence appointed-House dissolved by Governor Dunmore-Claims of Virginia and

Massachusetts to the Honor of originating Committees of Correspondence-Claims of

Revolutionary Precedence between the Colonies-Unjust Imputations on some-Dabney

Carr's Character-His Intimacy with Mr. Jefferson, Marriage and Death-His Family-—

Meeting of the Burgesses in 1774-Boston Port Bill-Fast Day Proclaimed-House

Dissolved-A Convention agreed on-Proceedings of Albemarle Freeholders-Their

Remarkable Resolutions drawn by Jefferson-Hanover Resolutions-Fairfax Resolu-

tions-Convention Meets-Delegates to Congress-Jefferson's proposed Instructions—

Their Fate Their Novel Positions, and Extraordinary Character-Jefferson placed in

a Bill of Attainder-Instructions adopted by the Convention-Meeting of Congress-

The Virginia Committees of Safety-Jefferson Chairman of the Albemarle Committee

-The Second Convention of Virginia-Henry's Proposition to arm the Colony-His

Eloquencé-Richard H. Lee-Jefferson chosen P. Randolph's Substitute to Congress-

Logan's Speech-Public Powder abstracted by the Governor's Orders-Albemarle

Volunteers ask Washington's Advice-Disturbances-Henry advances with a Military

Force on Williamsburg-The Governor succumbs-Lord North's Conciliatory Proposi-

tion Jefferson succeeds Randolph in Congress-Remains to draw up the Answer of

Virginia-Its Contents-Final Rupture between Lord Dunmore and the House-Over-

throw of Royal Government in Virginia,

CHAPTER IV.

1775.

77

Jefferson enters Congress Journey-Causes of distinguished Reception-J. Adams's

Statements J. Adams's Description of his Character as a Member-Address on Causes

of taking up Arms-Jefferson's Action in it-His Modesty and Suavity-Public and Pri

vate Effects of these-The Address adopted-His Portion of it given-Chairman of

Committee on Lord North's "Conciliatory Proposition "-Extracts from the Report-

Congress adjourns-Virginia Convention Jefferson re-chosen to Congress-Attorney-

General John Randolph-Jefferson's First Letter to him-Second Letter to him-Jeffer-

son's and John Adams's wishes for Reconciliation-When Independence was first aimed

at J. Adams's Statements-Judge Jay's and Mr. Jefferson's Statements-When first

openly advocated in Congress-Patriotism vindicated at Expense of Veracity-Wirt's

Error in regard to Henry-Not wonderful that Independence was not aimed at sooner

-Curious Entry in Jefferson's Account Book-An old Contract-Violin playing- Do-

mestic Memoranda-Jefferson returns to Congress-Proceedings of that Body-Jeffer

son goes Home-Death of his Mother-Action of Congress in his absence-King's

Speech-Parliament-The Prohibitory Act-England employs Mercenaries-Publica

tion of "Common Sense "-Thomas Paine and John Adams-Proceedings in Congress

-The Colonial Legislatures-Their Movements towards Independence-Decisive Action

of Virginia-Jefferson's supposed connection with it-He raises Powder Money and Re-

lief Money for Boston-Cause of his long Absence from Congress-Takes his Seat May

15th-R. H. Lee moves the Resolution for Independence-Action of Congress-Reasons

urged for Delay-Committee appointed to prepare Declaration-Jefferson Chairman

instead of R. H. Lee-Marshall's, Lee's, and Tucker's Statement of Reasons-J. Adams

pronounces them Erroneous-His Three Statements Examined-Factions in Congress

-Virginia Members divided-The "Adamses and Lees" accused of Hostility to Wash-

ington Knox, Hamilton, and Lafayette on the Subject-Extracts from J. Adams's

Writings Adams's Treatment of Harrison and others. Quarrel between the Lees and

John Jay J. Adams's, Jay's, and Jefferson's Remarks thereon-Jay's Statement of the

Hostility to General Washington-Jefferson not considered an Enemy of Lee's-Proofs

of this Mutual Friendship between Jefferson and Washington-Jefferson's Good Will

for Harrison-Treated Lee as a Friend-Charles F. Adams's Innuendoes--Jefferson's

Friends sustained Lee in Virginia Legislature-Voted for Lee to present the Indepen-

dence Resolution-Always considered Lee overrated-Afterwards alienated from him,

but never an Enemy-Jefferson befriended by all Factions-The Reasons--Explanations

of proceedings on Choice of Committee-Why this Subject is ripped up—A Division of

Talent and Labor in the Revolution-No Supernatural Men engaged in it-Benefits of

reducing Myths to Natural Proportions-A Biographer's Duty-How the Revolutionary

Leaders would have desired to be treated-Humanity more attractive than Myths—

Course that will be pursued toward Jefferson-Some Peculiarities-His Precision of

Deportment unfortunate for a Biographer,

111

CHAPTER V.

1776.

ferson desired by Colleagues to draft Declaration-J. Adams's Statement of a Sub-

Committee Jefferson's Correction-His Contemporaneous Notes-Sustained by the

Original Draught-Adams's Inaccuracy as a Writer-Jefferson's Habitual Accuracy in

Facts Authorship of Declaration undisputed-C. F. Adams's extraordinary Comments

-Proceedings in Congress on Independence Resolution-Proceedings on the Declara-

tion Jefferson's Remarks on the Amendments-Lord John Russell's-The Declaration

adopted-Signing the Declaration-Fac-simile of the Draught-The Draught and

Amendments-Where the Declaration was written-The Writing Desk-Jefferson

during the Debate-John Thompson, the Hatter-The Entries in the Account Book-

Meteorological Register-J. Adams, the Champion of Declaration-Jefferson's Com-

memoration of it-J. Adams's great Speech-This not preserved-Webster's "Restora-

ration" of it-Webster's and Wirt's "Restorations" unequal to Originals-The Meagre

History of the Debates-The probable Speakers-Jefferson's Description of S. Adams

-Nelson, Harrison, and McKean-Gerry, Sherman, and others-Franklin's Influence

on the Question-Jefferson's-Declaration as a Literary and Political Production-Its

Originality examined-J. Adams's and R. H. Lee's Views J. Adams's Assertion that

it repeats a Report of his-Unfortunateness of the Claim-How far it was borrowed

from Otis or Locke-Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence-Contemporaneous

Reception of National Declaration-Effects on the Public Mind-Effects on the Loyalists

-On the Whigs-Reception in Southern and Middle States--In New England-Jeffer-

son's Appointments in Congress after the 4th of July-Letters,

CHAPTER VI.

1776-1779.

164

Jefferson drafts a Constitution for Virginia-What became of it-Virginia Delegates

in Congress chosen-Factions-Jefferson declines, but is chosen--Again declines-

VOL. 1.-B