University of Virginia Library

Thomas Jefferson to Maria Hadfield Cosway

I duly recieved, my dear friend, your favor of July 10. and made it my first duty to forward
the letter you inclosed to your brother and to request him to make me the channel of your
hearing from him. I now inclose you his letter, and with it the assurance that he is much
respected in Washington, and, since the death of Latrobe, our first Architect. I consider him
as standing foremost in the correct principles of that art. I believe he is doing well, but
would he push himself more, he would do better.

I learn with great pleasure that however short of expectation mr Cosway's affairs left you,
they are still sufficient to place you in comfort. and this will be much improved by the
change of your residence from the eternal clouds and rains of England, to the genial sun &
bright skies of Lodi. I was in that place in 1786. with a good friend, the Count del Verme of
Milan, and past a whole day, from sunrise to sunset, in a dairy there, to see the process of
making the Parmesan cheese. it's situation is truly mutilated of your choice.

The sympathies of our earlier days harmonise, it seems in age also. you retire to your
College of Lodi, and nourish the natural benevolence of your excellent heart by
communicating your own virtues to the young of your sex who may hereafter load with
blessings the memory of her to whom they will owe so much. I am laying the foundation of
an University in my native state, which I hope will repay the liberalities of it's legislature by
improving the virtue and science of their country, already blest with a soil and climate
emulating those of your favorite Lodi. I have been myself the Architect of the plan of it's
buildings, and of it's system of instruction. four years have been employed in the former,
and I assure you it would be thought a handsome & Classical thing in Italy. I have preferred
the plan of an Academical village rather than that of a single, massive structure. the
diversified forms which this admitted in the different Pavilions, and varieties of the finest
samples of architecture, has made of it a model of beauty original and unique. it is within
view too of Monticello, So it's most splendid object, and a constant gratification to my sight.
we have still one building to erect, which will be on the principle of your Pantheon a
Rotunda like that, but of half it's diameter and height only. I wish indeed you could recall
some of your by-past years, and seal it with your approbation. you have two friends here,
still living, Trumbull & myself to whom such a visit would be real beatitude.

I enjoy good health, altho now octogenary; but am too weak to walk further than my garden;
yet I ride daily and without fatigue. my elder daughter, mrs Randolph, is well and greets you
kindly. she has given me 11. grand-children, of whom 4. live with me, and all make me
contented in the prospect of their worth and good qualifications. my happiness is greatly
increased too by the prosperity of our country, and it's exemption from the oppressions &
eternal wars of Europe. that you days may pass in peace, in health and comfort, are the
fervent prayers of your sincere & constant friend.

Th: Jefferson

ALS (polygraph copy), DLC:TJ, 2p, with TJ docket "Cosway Maria. Oct. 24. 22." Jefferson
made this copy on a coversheet addressed to "Thomas Jefferson esqr Monticello."

Jefferson wrote Albert Gallatin on 29 October, asking him to forward this letter to Lodi,
Italy, and informing Gallatin of the status of the university buildings: "Our University of
Virginia my present hobby, has been at a stand for a twelve month past, for want of funds.
our last legislature refused every thing. the late elections give better hopes of the next. the
institution is so far advanced that it will force itself through. so little is now wanting that the
first liberal legislature will give it it's last lift. the buildings are in a style of purely classical
architecture, and, altho' not yet finished, are become an object of visit to all strangers. our
intention is that it's professors shall be of the first order in their respective lines which can be
procured on either side of the Atlantic. sameness of language will probably direct our
applications chiefly to Edinburgh. I place some letters under the protection of your cover.
you will be so good as to judge whether that addressed to Lodi will go more safely thro' the
public mail, or by any of the diplomatic couriers, liable to the curiosity & carelessness of
public offices" (DLC:TJ). This letter to Gallatin itself was sent to Daniel Brent of the state
department on 31 October to be transmitted to Paris "by the first safe conveyance, with your
official dispatches to him" (DLC:TJ), and Brent informed Jefferson on 7 November that he
would "take great Pleasure in forwarding" the letters to Gallatin (DLC:TJ).

Concerning the university, Jefferson wrote similarly to Henry A. S. Dearborne on 31
October, saying that "Our Virginia University is now my sole occupation. it is within sight
of Monticello, and the buildings nearly finished; and we shall endeavor, by the best
Professors either side of the Atlantic can furnish to make it worthy of the public notice"
(DLC:TJ).