A Guide to the Letter of Thomas Jefferson to Philip Mazzei, May 4, 1805 Jefferson, Thomas, Letter to Philip Mazzei, May 4, 1805 10848

A Guide to the Letter of Thomas Jefferson to Philip Mazzei, May 4, 1805

A Collection in
The Special Collections Department
Accession Number 10848

Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

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Processed by: Special Collections Department

Repository

Special Collections, University of Virginia Library

Accession number

10848

Title

Letter of Thomas Jefferson to Philip Mazzei May 4, 1805

Physical Characteristics

This collection contains one item.

Language

English

Administrative Information

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Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Philip Mazzei, 1805 May 4, Accession # 10848, Special Collections Dept., University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.

Scope and Content Information

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.

Transcript

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