The Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson, 1743-1790. Thomas Jefferson

Nominates Monroe and Pinkney Joint Commissioners. Oct. 25. Cabinet decision on Burr. Nov. 8. Orders to Wilkinson, in re Burr. 1807.—Jan. 28. Sends additional message to Burr. 31. Sends message to Cumberland Road. 1807.—Feb. 22. Cabinet Council on British negotiations. Feb. 28. Writes to King of Holland. March 2. Sends Bill to End Slave Trade. 30. Beginning of trial of Burr. June 22. Capture of the Chesapeake. Sept. I. Proposes to seize the Floridas. II. Acquittal of Burr. Nov. II. Great Britain extends Orders in Council. Dec. 22. Signs Embargo Act. 1808.—Jan. 23. Refuses to recommend Fast Day. Feb. 19. Sends message on Cumberland Road. 29. Sends reply to New York Society of St. Tammany. April 19. Issues Proclamation on Embargo. 1809.—Jan. 17. Forced to borrow money. March I. Sends repeal of Embargo. 4. Sends reply to citizens of Washington. Close of Presidential term. Issues circular letter on Public Appointments. 1811.—Jan. Urges seizures of the Floridas. 1812.—April 12. Sends Wirt his recollections of Patrick Henry. Dec. 17. Writes sketch of Meriwether Lewis. 1813.—July. Sells Mazzei’s property in Richmond and borrows purchase money. 1814.—Sept. 21. Offers Library to Congress. Nov. 21. Resigns presidency of American Philosophical Society. 1815.—Jan. Congress passes Bill to Purchase Library. Completes scheme for the University of Va. 1816.—July 10. Writes sketch of Peyton Randolph. Oct. 16. Writes inscription for National Capitol. 1818—Sept. I. Writes Anecdotes of Franklin. 1822.—May. Writes answer to “A Native of Virginia.” 1825.—Dec. Drafts Protest for Virginia. 1826.—March 16. Executes will. July 4. Death of Jefferson.

      The Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson,

      1743–1790

      THE WRITINGS

      OF

      THOMAS JEFFERSON

      AUTOBIOGRAPHY

      1743–1790

      1821. Jan. 6.

      At the age of 77, I begin to make some memoranda and state some recollections of dates & facts concerning myself, for my own more ready reference & for the information of my family.

      The tradition in my father’s family was that their ancestor came to this country from Wales, and from near the mountain of Snowdon, the highest in Gr. Br. I noted once a case from Wales in the law reports where a person of our name was either pl. or def. and one of the same name was Secretary to the Virginia company.¹ These are the only instances in which I have met with the name in that country. I have found it in our early records, but the first particular information I have of any ancestor was my grandfather who lived at the place in Chesterfield called Ozborne’s and ownd. the lands afterwards the glebe of the parish.¹ He had three sons, Thomas who died young, Field who settled on the waters of Roanoke and left numerous descendants, and Peter my father, who settled on the lands I still own called Shadwell² adjoining my present residence. He was born Feb. 29, 1707/8, and intermarried 1739, with Jane Randolph, of the age of 19. daur of Isham Randolph one of the seven sons of that name & family settled at Dungeoness in Goochld. They trace their pedigree far back in England & Scotland, to which let every one ascribe the faith & merit he chooses.