Jefferson-DuVal Correspondence

William DuVal to Thomas Jefferson 4 June 1806

"William DuVal to Thomas Jefferson, 4 June 1806 (p. 1)". Image from the Library of Congress, The Thomas Jefferson Papers.

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Worthy Sir, Richmond June 4th 1806 Geo W. Sweeney who lived with Mr. Wythe was committed to goal on the 27th of May last for forging six checks on the Bank of Virginia on the 25th of May. Mr Wythe was taken with a cholera morbus on the 26th & 27 all the rest of the family were seized with the same violent disorder on the 27 We had no idea that Sweeney had poisoned the whole family. On Sunday morning June the first last Michael the Mulatto boy died. Yellow arsenic was found in Sweeny’s Room & many other strong circumstances concurred to in duce a believe he had poisoned the whole family. As a magistrate requested four eminent physicians to open the body of the boy – they did so, from the inflammation in the stomach & bowels they said that it was the kind of ____motion produced by poison. Our worthy friend is still alive. He has suffered greatly – on Whitsunday Evening, he told me he never suffered more in his life. That in the morning he attended to his official duties, the chancery court being in session, that he ate his breakfast as usual, that about nine o’clock in the morning he was attacked in the most violent manner & had rose form his bed forty times, to evacuate the feces. I had Doctors McClerg?, Curris & McCan to attend him. They pronounce his

"William DuVal to Thomas Jefferson, 4 June 1806 (p. 2)". Image from the Library of Congress, The Thomas Jefferson Papers.

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death to be certain in a day or two. They say that his constitution was remarkably strong for a person of his age. This by the hands(?) of a youth to whom he was kinder than a father is about to be taken from us the most virtuous and illustrious of our citizens. One among the best of men whom even Death, can’t terrify or alarm. I am yr mo ___ servant William DuVal

William DuVal to Thomas Jefferson 8 June 1806

"William DuVal to Thomas Jefferson, 8 June 1806". Image from the Library of Congress, The Thomas Jefferson Papers.

Sir Richmond June 8th 1806 Our venerable great and pious friend departed this life about half an hour after nine of the clock this morning. Doctors Foushes Currie Grumpose McClerg & McCan opened his chest & bowels, there was considerable inflammation in the stomach. It is strongly ___ picked that he & Michael Brown were poisoned with yellow arsenic by Geo W. Sweeney ~ On Thursday he said I am murdered but mentioned no name. The day before yesterday he said ___ me this righteous – he during his server complaint dsplayed uncommon patience & fortitude. He called on the Lord Jesus Christ to have mercy on him – The governor & council have desired that his body shall be conveyed to the Capitol tomorrow at four o’clock in the afternoon his funeral oration will be pronounced by Mr Wm Muntford who lived with Mr. Wythe formerly, and is a member of our council of State. When Mr. Wythe’s will shall be proven. I shall enclose you a copy of the will with the codicils – I believe he inclosed to you a copy of it. I Am, with great respect yr ___. Servant Wm DuVal

Thomas Jefferson to William DuVal, 14 June 1806

"Thomas Jefferson to William DuVal, 14 June 1808". Image from the Library of Congress, The Thomas Jefferson Papers.

Sir Washington June 14. 06. Your letters of the 4th & 8th inst. have been duly received, the last announcing the death of the venerable Mr. Wythe, than whom a purer character has never lived. His advanced years had left us little hope of retaining him much longer, and had his end been brought on by the ordinary decays of time & nature, altho always a subject of regret, it would not have been aggravated by the horror of his falling by the hand of a parricide. Such an instance of depravity has been hitherto known to us only in the fables of the poets. I thank you for the attention you have been so kind as to show in communicating to me the incidents of a case so interesting to my affections. He was my antient master, my earliest & best friend; and to him I am indebted for first impressions which have had the most salutary influence on the course of my life. I had reserved with fondness for the day of my retirement, the hope of inducing him to pass much of his time with me. It would have been a great pleasure to recollect with him first opinions on the new state of things which arose soon after my acquaintance with him; to pass in review the long period which has elapsed since that time, and to see how far those opinions had been affected by experience & reflection, or confirmed and acted on with self-approbation. But this may yet be the enjoyment of another state of being. You seem to suppose Mr. Wythe had inclosed to me a copy of his will, but this was not the case. I hope he had time to alter its dispositions as to him who has brought it prematurely into force. Accept my salutations & assurances of esteem & respect.

Mr. Duvall Th Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson to William DuVal, 19 June 1806

"Thomas Jefferson to William DuVal, 19 June 1808". Image from the Library of Congress, The Thomas Jefferson Papers.

Dear Sir Washington June 19. 06. I have this moment received by post the paper directed to me in the handwriting of my best & most revered departed friend, Mr. Wythe, & superscribed by yourself as found among his papers. It covers his will in his own handwriting, dated Apr. 20. 1803. with a codicil of Jan. 19. 1806. with a label indorsed ‘Testament of G. Wythe to be published when he shall cease to breathe, if not by him required before’ and making yourself his executor. Is this a duplicate, of which another copy is with you? Or is it the sole original? If the latter, it shall be forwarded for publication & proof by the first safe conveyance, & in the meantime a copy shall be furnished you. He recommends in it to my patronage ‘the freed boy Michael Brown.’ Is this the boy who is said to have died a few days before Mr. Wythe, or is he still living. & in this case will you be so good as to give me such information of him as may enable me to judge how I may best fulfill the wishes of my friend. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of esteem & respect. Th Jefferson

William DuVal to Thomas Jefferson 19 June 1806

"William DuVal to Thomas Jefferson, 19 June 1806 (p. 1)". Image from the Library of Congress, The Thomas Jefferson Papers.

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Richmond June 19th 1806. As soon as I can obtain an authenticated copy of the will & codicils of Mr. Geo Wythe ___ shall inclose them. I have ____ app______ the clock for _____ Michael being dead, I shall extract as much as relates to your self. I give my books and small philosophical apparatus to Thomas Jefferson President of the United States of America, a legacy considered abstractlie, perhaps not deserving a place in his museum, but westimated by my good will to him the most valuable to him of any thing which I have power to bestow.

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"William DuVal to Thomas Jefferson, 19 June 1806 (p. 2)". Image from the Library of Congress, The Thomas Jefferson Papers.

Dated January 19 1806 ____ dated February 24th 1806 I give to my friend Thomas Jefferson my silver cups and gold headed cane. Be pleased to appoint an agent here to receive the above legacies, a catalogue of the books ___ will be delivered to him. The house where Mr. Wythe lived will be rented I expect in a few days. I shall with pleasure aid you in having them sent to wehre ever you may direct. I think they are worth about £500. Geo W Sweeney was examined yesterday before Col._ Edward Carrington Mayor of this city, on the charge of having murdered Mr. Wythe & Michael Brown the freed boy, two other magistrates attended his examination of witnesses, which lasted near five hours. They were of opinion that they, Mr. Wythe & Michael, were poisoned by Geo. W Sweeney. On Monday next a court of examination is to be held in this city. G. W. Sweeney was remanded to Gaol. G. W. Sweeney’s case in some respects resembles that of Capt. John Donellan for the willful murder of his ______ Edward Attisley Boughton Borb. At the Assizes at Warwick on the 30th day of March 1781 before the Honorable Mr Justice Butler who was convicted and executed for poisoning the brother of Mr. Donnellson – I do not _____________ to ______ seen it in any of the __________. But is published at large in the 68 Vol. of the British Universal Magazine for Jany, Feby March, April, May & June of 1781. Beginning at page 205. You may suppose that the conduct of Sweeney has excited the most lively sympathy for the deceased and detestation agt the supposed culprit. Pardon me for dwelling so long on a subject, that must be painful to your feelings. I am with great respect

Yr. mo. obt. servant

Wm DuVal

Thomas Jefferson to William DuVal, 22 June 1806

"Thomas Jefferson to William DuVal, 22 June 1808". Image from the Library of Congress, The Thomas Jefferson Papers.

Dear Sir Washington June 22. 06. Yours of the 19th. is received & anticipates the answer to mine of the same date, respecting the will of our deceased friend, and the freed boy Michael Brown. I sincerely regret the loss of the latter not only for the affliction it must have cost Mr. Wythe in his last moments, but also as it has deprived me of an object for attentions which would have gratified me unceasingly with the constant recollection & execution of the wishes of my friend. Does there exist a portrait of Mr. Wythe? I fear not, if there be one I presume it must be with some member of the family of Maj. Taliaferro his father in law. Mr. Jefferson of Richmond will receive from you the bequests of my venerable friend & take off of your hands the trouble & expence of _________. I salute you with esteem & respect. Th Jefferson

William DuVal to Thomas Jefferson 29 June 1806

"William DuVal to Thomas Jefferson, 29 June 1806 (p. 1)". Image from the Library of Congress, The Thomas Jefferson Papers.

Dear Sir Richmond June 29th 1806 Your favors of the 14. 19 & 22 instant have been regularly received. The last letter I got from the post office yesterday. I believe that the great & good Mr. Wythe loved you as sincerely as if you had been his son, his attachment was founded on his thorough knowledge of you, per _____ some years ago_______that if there was an honest man in America, T. J. was that person, every thing that he said has been verified. About ___teen years ago my intimacy with that good man commenced & sontinued until his last moments. His great desire, he told me, was to be holy and _____. He thought that faith without good actions were of no avail. He loved every good Man. He thought that God is no respector of persons but in every nation he that feareath him and walketh righteous ways, is accepted with him. I think he loved his God with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his mind, and with all his strength.

"William DuVal to Thomas Jefferson, 29 June 1806 (p. 2)". Image from the Library of Congress, The Thomas Jefferson Papers.

William DuVal to Thomas Jefferson 12 July 1806

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"William DuVal to Thomas Jefferson, 12 July 1806". Image from the Library of Congress, The Thomas Jefferson Papers.

Worthy Sir, Richmond July 12th. 1806 A catalogue of the books, the small philosophical apparatus, with the two cups & gold headed cane, also Mr. Wythe’s portrait are delivered to the care of Mr. Geo Jefferson. The terrestrial globe is missing, it is apprehended G.W.S. sold it. He sent last year several books belonging to Mr. Wythe to vin due (?). Have you the profile of Mr. Wythe in miniature? If you have not I can furnish you with one – I have not sold Mr. Wythe’s watch, it was appraised to $20. It is an old silver watch. Mr. Wythe told me it kept good time. The seal & key I suppose cost about $12. The stone is a white cristal found in Virginius. It has ingraved, the initial letters of his name, under which are some Greek characters, on the other side is his coat of arms – I did not know but the seal might attract your attention. I am Sir(?) with the highest esteem, ___________________ Wm. DuVal

Thomas Jefferson to William DuVal, 17 July 1806

"Thomas Jefferson to William DuVal, 17 July 1808". Image from the Library of Congress, The Thomas Jefferson Papers.

William DuVal to Thomas Jefferson 21 November 1806

"William DuVal to Thomas Jefferson, 21 November 1806". Image from the Library of Congress, The Thomas Jefferson Papers.

Thomas Jefferson to William DuVal, 4 December 1806

"Thomas Jefferson to William DuVal, 4 December 1808". Image from the Library of Congress, The Thomas Jefferson Papers.

William DuVal to Thomas Jefferson 10 December 1806

"William DuVal to Thomas Jefferson, 10 December 1806". Image from the Library of Congress, The Thomas Jefferson Papers.