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Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Philip Mazzei, 1805 May 4, Accession # 10848, Special Collections Dept., University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.
Jefferson writes about a certificate for Bellini's death, planting fruit trees and delaying the shipping of wines until October so they will not be spoiled by heat. He requests Mazzei to send him a bottle each of white Verdea and Muscatel.
Washington May 4, 1805
Dear Sir
In my letter of Mar. 10, I informed you that I wrote
that day for the certificate of Bellini's death. I now inclose
it. I also mentioned that on the journey I was then taking to
Monticello I should get information from your attorney Mr.
Carr & probably be able to receive & make on the
remittance for Colle. I inclose you his letter by which you
will see we shall be delayed till the fall. I got my fruits
all planted at Monticello, except the single plant of the
peach apricot which was stolen by the way, however if the
stones succeed I may expect a plenty from them. The advance of
the season will soon determine this point. I now write to Mr.
Appleton to delay sending my vines till October, because if
they are sent off in the spring they will encounter all the
summer heats in the hold of the ship, and the warehouses of
our Seaports, and vines as delicate as the Montepulcians will
not stand that. In winter they will come in perfect safety;
& that has come in good condition has been generally
preferred to Burgundy or Bordeaux, because it combines equal
flavor with less strength. I remember you brought here some
White Verdea, & Muscadell, white also, which I then
admired. Very likely I might not think as much of them now as
then, when everything except Madeira was a novelty, but my
curiosity would be gratified with a single bottle of each,
were it only to ascertain the dislocation of my palate in that
period. Accept affectionate salutations & assurances of
constant esteem & respect.
Thomas Jefferson
Philip Mazzei