University of Virginia Library

755. TJ to Joseph Carrington Cabell, 14 February 1826, ViU:TJ; see also Cabell, Early
History of the University of Virginia, 373-74.

756. TJ to Robert Mills, 3 March 1826, DLC:TJ. The letter was printed in the Washington,
D.C., Daily National Intelligencer, 25 October 1826, under the heading "Extracts of a letter
from Mr. Jefferson to Mr. Robert Mills, of South Carolina" (see appendix I).

757. Thomas Jefferson Randolph gives the following account of his grandfather's death:
"Died 50 minutes after 12. July the 4th. Thomas Jefferson in the 84th year of his age. his
health had been impaired by an indiscreet use of the Hot spring bath in 1818[.] this
indisposition had steadily increased untill the last six months when it attained a troublesome
& alarming violence giving him certain indications of a gradual decay of health[.] The
consequences of which he early foresaw. early in June he observed to a friend that he
doubted his weathering the ensueing summer[.] on the 24th of June his disorder & weakness
having attained an alarming extent, he yielded to the entreaties of his family and called in a
Phiscian (Dr Dunglison of the University)[.] on this occasion a friend having private
business with him he warned 'there was no time to be lost['] and expressed the believe that
he could not hold out to the fourth. that he had called in a Phisician and for the comfort of
his family would follow his prescriptions (which he literally did) but that it was unavailing
the machine had worn out and could go on no longer. He retained during his illness and to
death the same serene dicisive & cheerfull temper which had marked his life. speaking upon
various topics with his usual spirit & animation. upon the university hoping that the state
would not now abandon it: of the changes he feared would be made: of his probably
sucessor as rector. of the services he had rended his native state. &c. speaking with
earnestness to his executor of steps to be taken upon his demise. advising as to the
arrangement & disposition of his hopes. &c. Upon being unusually ill for a short time he
observed with a smile 'well Dr a few hours more and the struggle with be over' When the Dr
entered the room his usuall expression was well Dr. you see I am here yet. When his
disorder was arrested and a friend observed to him he hoped he would mend his reply was
that the power of nature were too much exhausted to be rallied. a member of his family
expressing a believe that he was better and that the Dr thought so. after listening with
impatience he replyed do not imagine for a moment that I feel the smallest solicitude as to
the result. on giving directions as to his funeral. forbidding all pomp & parade. he was
answered with hope that it might long ere occasion would riquire their fulfilment. he asked
with a smile 'do you imagine I fear to die.['] He expressed himself pleased with the course
of his phisician. gratified by the affectionate attentions of his family & servants. he uttered
no thought he expressed no feeling--unworthy of the vigor of his body or mind. Death stole
not upon him in the Dark. he came not unexpected. he saw his approaches & smiled at his
terrors, Thus died Thomas Jefferson" (Thomas Jefferson Randolph, Account of TJ's Last
Illness and Death, ca July 1826, ViU:TJ; see also Randolph's revised account in Randolph,
Domestic Life of Thomas Jefferson, 419-32). For several newspaper accounts of TJ's death,
see the clippings from the Norfolk Hearld, 10 July 1826, in DLC:TJ.

For some of the eulogies delivered in the honor of Jefferson and John Adams, who died at
his home in Massachusetts on the same day, see the Washington, D.C., Daily National
Intelligencer, 14, 19 August, and 1 September 1826. A interesting related news item
appeared in the Daily National Intelligencer on 25 August 1826, reads: "The last Darien
Gazette records the following singular circumstance: 'A circumstance occurred in this city,
which, for its singularity, may not be deemed unworthy of notice, in the transactions of the
day. A Gun, which had been dubbed Thomas Jefferson, on the 4th inst. was brought out to
perform the funeral salute, in commemoration of the departed great. This sturdy 'Bull Dog,'
as if proud of the honor conferred on him, allowed himself to be disgorged of 82 thundering
loads, without complaint; but, the match was no sooner applied for the 83d, and last, for the
age of Mr. Jefferson, than he expired, as a Gun! That is, he burst, as if determined, after
performing the last duty to the memory of him after whom he was named, to quit the world
forever. We are happy to state that no person was injured by the accident.'"

758. Alexander Garrett to Evelina Bolling Garrett, 4 July 1826, ViU: Garret Papers. Four
days after TJ's funeral Frank Carr wrote to John Hartwell Cocke on 9 July proposing
William Cabell Rives "as a proper son to occupy the vacancy produced by the death of Mr.
Jefferson. His talents, and his attainments, together with his convenient residence to the
University, point him out, especially considering his religious character, as the fittest person
that could be selected. It is not for me however to urge his claims upon you. It is highly
probable that your own reflections have turned to him--and if your preference be for him, I
have no doubt that any influence you may have with the executive will be exerted to place
him in your body" (ViU:JHC).