- Notice of Sale of Wayles Properties, 15 July 1773 – A substantial amount of land is put up for sale on the demise of TJ’s father-in-law.
- James Macpherson to Charles Macpherson, 7 August 1773 – A negative response and denial to the request from TJ for the Gaelic poetry that he had expressed deep admiration for earlier.
- To Thomas Jefferson from Charles McPherson, 12 August 1773 – Full letter to TJ about the troubles of his request, and a detailed explanation of what WAS able to be procured in Gaelic tongue for TJ. (See previous entry.)
- To Thomas Jefferson from James Taylor, 20 August 1773 (brief, nothing of note.)
- Further Notice of Sale of Wayles Properties, 9 September 1773 – An adjustment to the previous notice of sale from 2 months prior. All original lands are still listed as available with the adendum of other properties.
- To Thomas Jefferson from John Blair, 2 March 1774 – Correspondence concerning requests for land grants.
- Notes on the Progress of Certain Bills, [9–25 May 1774] – A few notes on legislation that TJ was involved with directly or indirectly.
Resolution of the House of Burgesses Designating a Day of Fasting and Prayer, 24 May 1774
This was a document drafted by several younger, (and no doubt) more zealous members of the House of Burgesses, but was not considered to be the most outspoken of responses to the siege on Boston by the British Government. The fervor of revolution evolved quickly during the summer of 1774 in Virginia. (I don’t know why, but this point seems important!)
Also consequently, the House of Burgesses was desolved as result.
Association of Members of the Late House of Burgesses, 27 May 1774
As evidence of how quickly things began to shift, 3 days later this statement is issued on the 27 of May, 1174. The House of Burgesses had been desolved and subsequently, the member of the former legislature remained organized and issued this statement addressing the oppression of the British crown.
Particularly curious are the claims of unconstitutionality, given at a time when the U.S. had not yet been formally organized under a constitution. The statement here then likely demonstrates the tendency that these individuals already had toward the rule of law and the desire to live in a law-abiding society.
Proceedings of a Meeting of Representatives in Williamsburg, 30 May 1774
The third document issued within six days in response to Boston. This one in response to information received from Boston just one day prior. This was considered to be an immediate response (with only 25 representatives present), the plan being to reconvene in August when it was hoped that a much larger assembly of support could be rallied.
This document was to express support and union with the other colonies of British America toward the Massachusetts Bay colony.
From Peyton Randolph and Others to Members of the Late House of Burgesses, 31 May 1774
This is the formal invitation to gather on August 1, 1774 for the above referenced business. This delay in time was with the hope that most would be able to rework their schedules so as to be in attendance at the proposed gathering.
Petition of George Mason for Warrants for Lands in Fincastle County, [June 1774]
This petition (which was probably never actually presented in this format because of the dissolution of the House of Burgesses) gives a fascinating history on the granting of lands to imported persons to the colony of Virginia under the rule of the king of England. 50 acres per person was granted at no charge. This practice was in force from 1609 to 1710. When it was dissolved, the practice of payment of money for lands took its place. This begs to considered questions of land distribution, poverty, etc.
- Thomas Jefferson and John Walker to the Inhabitants of the Parish of St. Anne, [before 23 July 1774] – This was an invitation to members of TJ’s local parish to participate in a day of Fasting and Prayer for the same reason as listed above on May 24, 1774.
- Resolutions of the Freeholders of Albemarle County, [26 July 1774] – The county of Albemarle’s appointment of TJ and John Walker to represent the county at the Colony’s convention to be held on August 1 (or 11), which appears to not have had happened owing to Dunmore’s intentional dissolution of the House of Burgesses, which he upheld for over a year.