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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution
Collection: Classics of Liberty

agreement with john randolph 2 - Thomas Jefferson, The Works, vol. 2 (1771-1779) [1905]

Edition used:

The Works of Thomas Jefferson, Federal Edition (New York and London, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1904-5). Vol. 2.

Part of: The Works of Thomas Jefferson, 12 vols.

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


agreement with john randolph2

It is agreed between John Randolph, Esq., of the city of Williamsburg, and Thomas Jefferson, of the County of Albemarle, that in case the said John shall survive the said Thomas, that the Exr’s or Adm’rs of the said Thomas shall deliver to the said John 800 pounds sterling of the books of the said Thomas, to be chosen by the said John or if not books sufficient, the deficiency to be made up in money: And in case the said Thomas should survive the said John, that the Executors of the said John shall deliver to the said Thomas the violin which the said John brought with him into Virginia, together with all his music composed for the violin, or in lieu thereof, if destroyed by any accident, 60 pounds sterling worth of books of the said John, to be chosen by the said Thomas. In witness thereof the said John and Thomas have hereunto subscribed their names and affixed their seals the day and year above written.

John Randolph (L. S.)

Th. Jefferson (L. S.)

Sealed and delivered in presence of:

G. Wythe,

Tho’s Everand,

P. Henry, Jr.

Will Drew,

Richard Starke,

Wm. Johnson,

Ja. Steptoe.

Virginia, S. S.

At the general court held at the capital on the 12th day of April, 1771, this agreement was acknowledged by John Randolph and Thomas Jefferson, parties thereto, and ordered to be recorded. Teste,

Ben. Waller, C. C. Cur.

[2 ]From Randall’s Life of Jefferson, 1, 131. On the eve of the departure of Randolph for England, in 1775, this agreement was cancelled, and the violin became the property of Jefferson on terms recorded by him in his diary as follows: “Williamsburg, August 17.—Delivered to Carter Braxton an order on the Treasurer in favor of J. Randolph, Atty. General, for £13, the purchase money for his violin. This dissolves our bargain recorded in the General Court, and revokes a legacy of £100 sterling to him now standing in my will, which was made in consequence of that bargain.”