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National Historical Publications & Records Commission

The Papers of Thomas Jefferson

Miniature of Thomas Jefferson, 1788 by John Trumbull. Courtesy Monticello.

Princeton University and the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello

Additional information at: https://jeffersonpapers.princeton.edu/

The Rotunda site contains a searchable database of all thirty-six volumes published through 2009 into one searchable online resource. In addition, it includes the first four volumes of the Retirement Series sponsored by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which documents the time between Jefferson’s return to private life and his death in 1826. The Retirement Series is creating the definitive edition of Thomas Jefferson’s letters and papers covering the period from 1809 to 1826 in both letterpress and digital form. More information is available at https://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/project-description and via Rotunda at http://rotunda.upress.virginia.edu/founders/TSJN.html

The Jefferson Papers are also part of Founders Online at founders.archives.gov

A comprehensive edition of the papers of Thomas Jefferson (1743 – 1826), third President of the United States. Jefferson was a lawyer, delegate to the Virginia House of Burgesses, and landowner, before beginning his political career in 1775. At age 33, he was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. At the beginning of the American Revolution he served in the Continental Congress representing Virginia and then served as a wartime Governor of Virginia (1779–1781). Just after the war ended, from mid-1784 Jefferson served as a diplomat, stationed in Paris. Under President Washington, Jefferson was the first United States Secretary of State (1790–1793) and was elected Vice President in 1796. Elected president in 1800, he oversaw the purchase of the vast Louisiana Territory from France (1803), and sent the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804–1806) to explore the new west. He was the founder of the University of Virginia. The NHPRC also supported a microfilm edition of Jefferson’s Papers at the University of Virginia, 1732-1828. Ten reels.

Forty-three completed volumes of a planned 60-volume edition.

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Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

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The Papers of Thomas Jefferson: Retirement Series

About the retirement series, featured letters, completed volumes.

Information on the twenty volumes now in print.

Current Cumulative Index

The most up-to-date version of the indices published in Volumes 1-20, which cover the period of 4 March 1809 to 31 March 1824.

Biographical Identifications

An alphabetical list of persons identified in the published volumes.

Jefferson Quotes & Family Letters

An online companion to The Papers of Thomas Jefferson: Retirement Series , featuring a searchable collection of letters to and between Jefferson's immediate and extended family as well as a growing collection of quotes by and about Thomas Jefferson.

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• Visual Guide to Editing the Papers of Thomas Jefferson: Retirement Series
• J. Jefferson Looney seeks to decipher Thomas Jefferson’s writings -- Washington Post

ADDRESS: 931 Thomas Jefferson Parkway Charlottesville, VA 22902 GENERAL INFORMATION: (434) 984-9800

Crucial to our nation’s history as author of the Declaration of Independence and third president, Thomas Jefferson was also a major figure in the Enlightenment, representing for Europeans the embodiment of the early nineteenth-century American mind. Since 1950, his writings have been compiled in two ongoing projects, The Papers of Thomas Jefferson at Princeton University, and The Papers of Thomas Jefferson: Retirement Series sponsored by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which documents the time between Jefferson’s return to private life and his death in 1826. Rotunda’s digital edition brings together the content of the published volumes into one searchable online resource. This XML-based edition includes all the illustrations and bibliographical content of the print edition, with the added convenience of linked cross-references and indexes.

Rotunda editions were established by generous grants from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the President’s Office of the University of Virginia

The New York Public Library

Archives & manuscripts, thomas jefferson papers 1766-1826 d.

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Thomas Jefferson papers, Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) was a Founding Father, statesman, lawyer, and planter. He is considered the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson held numerous political offices throughout his career including representative from Virginia in the Second Continental Congress, Governor of Virginia, Minister to France, Secretary of State under George Washington, Vice President of the United States under John Adams, and President of the United States from 1801-1809. The Thomas Jefferson papers, dated 1766-1826, cover Jefferson's career as a statesman, lawyer, and plantation owner. The bulk of the collection consists of outgoing correspondence, 1766 and 1783-1826, concerning Jefferson's thoughts on the formation of a new government, naval and shipping issues, the growth and sale of tobacco on his plantation, and personal and business matters. Correspondents include John Page, James Madison, James Monroe, Edmund Pendleton, Robert Purviance, and Noah Webster. Additional documents notably include Jefferson’s draft of a proposed amendment to the Constitution on the purchase of the Louisiana Territory, containing notes penciled by James Madison, as well as Jefferson's 1771 list of suggested books for a private library. Also present are legal documents, drafts, notes, and autographs.

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) was a Founding Father, statesman, lawyer, and planter. He is considered the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson held numerous political offices throughout his career. He represented Virginia in the Second Continental Congress, served as Governor of Virginia from 1779-1781 and as Minister to France from 1785-1789. He was the first Secretary of State under George Washington, and the second Vice President of the United States under John Adams. He was elected the third President of the United States in 1800, serving two terms, 1801-1809. After leaving the presidency, Jefferson founded and helped design the campus of the University of Virginia. He resided at Monticello, his estate in Albemarle County, Virginia.

The Thomas Jefferson papers, dated 1766-1826, cover Jefferson's career as a statesman, lawyer, and plantation owner. It is a synthetic collection of largely autograph material, combining gifts and purchases from multiple sources. The bulk of the collection consists of outgoing correspondence, 1766 and 1783-1826, with a few incoming letters. Letters concern Jefferson's thoughts on the formation of a new government, naval and shipping issues, the growth and sale of tobacco on his plantation, and personal and business matters. Correspondents include John Page, James Madison, James Monroe, Edmund Pendleton, Robert Purviance, and Noah Webster. Additional documents in the collection consist of legal documents, drafts, notes, autographs and other items.

Correspondence dating prior to his appointment as Secretary of State in 1790, including letters to Edmund Pendleton of Virginia, pertain primarily to the development of government in the newly sovereign United States, foreign intelligence, the shipment of goods to and from the West Indies, and his service as Minister to France and his travels to France. Letters dated while he held the office of Secretary of State consist mostly of notices of acts of Congress that were sent to state governors. These notices originally contained enclosures of legislation which are not present here. Some personal correspondence from this era is also present, notably a 1790 letter to Noah Webster offering his opinions on Webster's essays. Correspondence dating from his presidential and vice presidential tenures consists mainly of outgoing invitations and letters of thanks. Letters discussing Jefferson's business affairs, particularly the management of his plantation, the growth and sale of tobacco, and his legal work are interspersed throughout the correspondence, especially during the late presidential and post-presidential period. An 1817 letter to James Monroe is a letter of recommendation, and his 1826 letter to Madison concerns the growth of the University of Virginia. The collection also contains earlier letters documenting Jefferson's friendships with Virginia governor John Page and Robert Purviance of Maryland.

Additional documents notably include Jefferson’s draft of a proposed amendment to the Constitution adding the Louisiana Territory to the United States. The draft contains notes penciled by James Madison and offers insight into constitutional aspects of the Louisiana Purchase. Also of note is Jefferson's 1771 list of books for a private library, suggested for his friend Robert Skipworth.

Custodial history

This collection includes transfers from the Ford collection and Thomas Addis Emmet collection. The Ford Collection was compiled by Gordon L. Ford, business manager of the New York Tribune from 1873 to 1881 and collector of documents pertaining to early American history. Ford's collection was later purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan and portions of it were donated to The New York Public Library in 1899. The Emmet Collection was collected by Dr. Thomas Addis Emmet, a collector of early American history manuscripts. His collection was later purchased by John S. Kennedy and donated to The New York Public Library in 1896.A letter from Jefferson to the President of Pennsylvania dated August 18, 1790 was purchased from Emily E.F. Skeel on October 29, 1942. A letter from Jefferson to W.C. Nicholas dated March 20, 1808 was purchased from Mrs. Paul McEwen on March 26, 1954.

Source of acquisition

Various gifts and purchases, 1896-1954

Processing information

Compiled by Casey Babcock , 2015

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Material types, access to materials, alternative form available.

Transcripts of much of the correspondence contained in this collection is available via Founders Online (http://founders.archives.gov/). Some letters are available only as abstracts rather than full text.

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The writings of Thomas Jefferson;

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The Works of Thomas Jefferson, 12 vols.

• Paul Leicester Ford (editor)
• Thomas Jefferson (author)

The “Federal Edition” of Jefferson’s works in 12 volumes edited by Paul Leicester Ford in 1904-05.

Volumes in this Set:

• The Works, vol. 1 (Autobiography, Anas, 1760-1770)
• The Works, vol. 2 (1771-1779)
• The Works, vol. 3 (Notes on Virginia I, Correspondence 1780-1782)
• The Works, vol. 4 (Notes on Virginia II, Correspondence 1782-1786)
• The Works, vol. 5 (Correspondence 1786-1789)
• The Works, vol. 6 (Correspondence 1789-1792)
• The Works, vol. 7 (Correspondence 1792-1793)
• The Works, vol. 8 (Correspondence 1793-1798)
• The Works, vol. 9 (1799-1803)
• The Works, vol. 10 (Correspondence and Papers 1803-1807)
• The Works, vol. 11 (Correspondence and Papers 1808-1816)
• The Works, vol. 12 (Correspondence and Papers 1816-1826)

The Works of Thomas Jefferson, Federal Edition (New York and London, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1904-5). 12 vols.

The text is in the public domain.

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Collection Thomas Jefferson Papers, 1606 to 1827

Selected quotations from the thomas jefferson papers.

A brief selections of quotations from Thomas Jefferson’s papers at the Library of Congress.

Thomas Jefferson was a prolific writer. His papers at the Library of Congress are a rich storehouse of his thoughts and ideas expressed both in official correspondence and in private letters. This brief selection suggests something of what awaits users' own online investigations into the writings of the man who was the third president of the United States, the founder of the University of Virginia, and author of the Declaration of Independence.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal. . . ." Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

"it is the great parent of science & of virtue: and that a nation will be great in both, always in proportion as it is free." Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Willard, March 24, 1789

"our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost." Thomas Jefferson to Dr. James Currie, January 28, 1786

"nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper. truth itself becomes suspicious by being put into that polluted vehicle." Thomas Jefferson to John Norvell, June 11, 1807

"I, however, place economy among the first and most important republican virtues, and public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared." Thomas Jefferson to William Plumer, July 21, 1816

"bigotry is the disease of ignorance, of morbid minds; enthusiasm of the free and buoyant. education & free discussion are the antidotes of both." Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, August 1, 1816

"What a stupendous, what an incomprehensible machine is man! Who can endure toil, famine, stripes, imprisonment & death itself in vindication of his own liberty, and the next moment . . . inflict on his fellow men a bondage, one hour of which is fraught with more misery than ages of that which he rose in rebellion to oppose." Thomas Jefferson to Jean Nicholas Demeunier, January 24, 1786

"yet the hour of emancipation is advancing . . . this enterprise is for the young; for those who can follow it up, and bear it through to it's consummation. it shall have all my prayers, and these are the only weapons of an old man." Thomas Jefferson to Edward Coles, August 25, 1814

"the two principles on which our conduct towards the Indians should be founded, are justice & fear. after the injuries we have done them, they cannot love us . . . ." Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Hawkins, August 13, 1786

"The expedition of Messrs. Lewis & Clarke for exploring the river Missouri, & the best communication from that to the Pacific ocean, has had all the success which could have been expected." Thomas Jefferson's Sixth Annual Message to Congress, December 2, 1806

"I agree with you that it is the duty of every good citizen to use all the opportunities, which occur to him, for preserving documents relating to the history of our country." Thomas Jefferson to Hugh P. Taylor, October 4, 1823

"I had rather be shut up in a very modest cottage with my books, my family and a few old friends, dining on simple bacon, and letting the world roll on as it liked, than to occupy the most splendid post, which any human power can give." Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Donald, February 7, 1788

"Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government; that whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights." Thomas Jefferson to Richard Price, January 8, 1789

"I have often thought that nothing would do more extensive good at small expense than the establishment of a small circulating library in every county, to consist of a few well-chosen books, to be lent to the people of the country under regulations as would secure their safe return in due time." Thomas Jefferson to John Wyche, May 19, 1809

"our particular principles of religion are a subject of accountability to our god alone. I enquire after no man's and trouble none with mine; nor is it given to us in this life to know whether yours or mine, our friend's or our foe's, are exactly the right." Thomas Jefferson to Miles King, September 26, 1814

" . . . there is no act, however virtuous, for which ingenuity may not find some bad motive." Thomas Jefferson to Edward Dowse, April 19, 1803

"When angry, count ten before you speak; if very angry, an hundred." Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Jefferson Smith, February 21, 1825

"I cannot live without books." Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, June 10, 1815

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From thomas jefferson to william dunbar, 14 march 1805, to william dunbar.

Washington Mar. 14. 05.

Your letters of the 2d. & 15th. of Feb. arrive just in the moment I am setting out on a short visit to Monticello. it will be necessary for us now to set on foot immediately the Arcansa & Red river expedition, Congress having given an additional appropriation of 5000. D. for these objects generally. I think you were not able to get any person in your quarter the last autumn fitted for the astronomical part of the undertaking. I have desired Genl. Dearborne to propose it to a mr Pease in the post office, who is fully equal to it, or if he will not accept, then to a mr Wily professor of an academy here. he will write to you fully on this subject, as my departure obliges me to leave to him the settling with you all details, not having time myself to read your journal before I set out. Accept my acknolegements for your services & assistance, my friendly salutations and assurances of great esteem & respect.

Th: Jefferson

PoC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “Mr. Dunbar.”

An act of 3 Mch. that authorized funds for obligations in treaties included an additional appropriation “for the purpose of exploring the Indian country, and of ascertaining proper and convenient places for establishing trading houses”; see TJ to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 13 Feb.

Seth Pease , surveyor and mathematician, was a brother-in-law of Gideon Granger. He had gained extensive surveying experience in western New York and the Western Reserve in Ohio ( RS description begins J. Jefferson Looney and others, eds., The Papers of Thomas Jefferson: Retirement Series , Princeton, 2004- , 15 vols. description ends , 1:216n). Presbyterian minister David Wiley ( Wily ) was the principal of the Columbian Academy in Georgetown ( Vol. 36:435n ). In October 1804, they and Abraham Bradley, Jr., made astronomical observations that William Lambert used to calculate latitude and longitude (William Lambert, Calculations for Ascertaining the Latitude North of the Equator and the Longitude West of Greenwich Observatory, in England, of the Capitol, at the City of Washington, in the United States of America [Washington, D.C., 1805], 6; Lambert to TJ, 15 Dec. 1804 ).

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