The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 8 (of 9) Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private

PART I.--NOTES ON VIRGINIA.

Chapter 9584 wordsPublic domain

" II.--BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF DISTINGUISHED MEN. " III.--THE BATTURE AT NEW ORLEANS. " IV.--JEFFERSON'S MANUAL. " V.--THE ANAS. " VI.--MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS.

INTRODUCTORY TO BOOK IV.

This fourth and last division of the work contains a large mass of very valuable and interesting miscellaneous matter--everything, indeed, valuable and interesting written by Mr. Jefferson, and not embraced in the previous divisions of the work. To the general reader, it will be found much the most instructive and entertaining portion of the publication, ranging, as it does, over a vast field of discussion--unless, perhaps, the latter portion of Mr. Jefferson's Correspondence be excepted, say, from 1812 to the end of his life. Among the interesting papers contained in this division of the work, may be enumerated the "Notes on Virginia," biographical sketches of distinguished Revolutionary characters, Mr. Jefferson's argument in vindication of his official action while President of the United States in connection with the Batture at New Orleans--the celebrated Anas, Resolutions defining the relations between the State and Federal Governments, and believed to be the originals of the Kentucky Resolutions of 1799, &c. These are but a few of the interesting papers comprised in Book IV. There are many others possessing great intrinsic interest and a very considerable historical value, as throwing much light upon the early history of our country. And nowhere does the genius of the distinguished Author, and the richness and diversity of his resources, more impress the reader than in the mass of miscellaneous matter collected in this last division of the work.

CONTENTS

TO

NOTES ON VIRGINIA.

PAGE

I.--An exact description of the limits and boundaries of the State of Virginia, 249

II.--A notice of the rivers, rivulets, and how far they are navigable, 250

III.--A notice of the best seaports of the State, and how big are the vessels they can receive, 263

IV.--A notice of its mountains, 263

V.--Its cascades and caverns, 266

VI.--A notice of the mines and other subterraneous riches; its trees, plants, fruits, &c., 270

VII.--A notice of all that can increase the progress of human knowledge, 320

VIII.--The number of its inhabitants, 328

IX.--The number and condition of the militia and regular troops, and their pay, 334

X.--The marine, 334

XI.--A description of the Indians established in that State, 336

XII.--A notice of the counties, cities, townships and villages, 350

XIII.--The constitution of the State, and its several charters, 352

XIV.--The administration of justice and the description of the laws, 372

XV.--The colleges and public establishments, the roads, buildings, &c., 391

XVI.--The measures taken with regard to the estates and possessions of the rebels, commonly called tories, 396

XVII.--The different religions received into that State, 398

XVIII.--The particular customs and manners that may happen to be received in that State, 403

XIX.--The present state of manufactures, commerce, interior and exterior trade, 404

XX.--A notice of the commercial productions particular to the State, and of those objects which the inhabitants are obliged to get from Europe and from other parts of the world 406

XXI.--The weights, measures, and the currency of the hard money. Some details relating to exchange with Europe, 409

XXII.--The public income and expenses, 410

XXIII.--The histories of the State, the memorials published in its name in the time of its being a colony, and the pamphlets relating to its interior or exterior affairs, present or ancient, 415

Appendix, 429