PREFACE. THIS volume has been prepared from entirely new materials, derived from sources hitherto unexplored. It was the author's rare good fortune, some months since, to make the acquaintance of CAPT. EDMUND BACON, a now aged and wealthy citizen of Kentucky, who was for twenty years the chief overseer and business manager of Mr. Jefferson's estate at Monticello. He obtained from him a large mass of letters and other documents in Mr. Jefferson's own handwriting, giving directions as to his farm, grounds, garden, stock of different kinds, and all the various matters connected with his farm at Monticello. He also spent several weeks in writing out, in detail, Capt. Bacon's reminiscences of his venerated employer. This work has been prepared exclusively from the materials thus acquired. It is not therefore a rearrangement of historical facts in regard to Mr Jefferson, that were already known and accessible to the public, but a presentation of those that are entirely new. It does not come within the scope or design of this work, to attempt any sketch of Mr. Jefferson's public life, or any discussion of his political or religious opinions. Its simple purpose is, so to describe his home, his personal ap pearance, and all his personal and business habits, as to set the man fully before the reader-as a farmer, manufacturer, and master; as a lover of fine horses, hogs, and sheep; as the enthusiastic cultivator of fruits and flowers; as the kind neighbor; the liberal benefactor of the poor; the participator in the childish sports of his grandchildren ; the hospitable entertainer of swarms of visitors, that well-nigh ate up his substance and consumed his life; and in all the minutest details of his every-day home life at Monticello. It is believed that the portraiture of Mr. Jefferson's Private Life, thus presented, is much more full and complete than any that has heretofore been given to the public. There are a few facts in this volume that, if the author could have consulted his own feelings merely, he would certainly have omitted. He has described at length, in the first chapter, the manner in which all Capt. Bacon's reminiscences were obtained and written out. The facts alluded to were secured in the same manner, but afterwards were marked to be omitted from the volume. A distinguished historian who was looking over the manuscript, asked why those passages were to be omitted. The author replied, that he did not like to publish facts that would give pain to any that might now be living. "Did you ever know," said he, "a kinder-hearted man than the Apostle John? And did he not tell us that Peter denied his Master-more than once! And would not his history have been very imperfect, if he had failed to give us this fact? What is your praise worth, if you suppress all facts that are not praiseworthy?" The author could but feel the force of these questions, and could not erase the sad facts that are presented in regard to the intemperance, and other vices and misfortunes, of some who were connected with Mr. Jefferson's family, and otherwise make a part of this history. It was the fault of David that he sinned, and not of the sacred historian that he recorded the fact. The principle involved in this judgment, is of universal application. The author submits this volume to the public with entire confidence in the credibility of the testimony of the venerable man from whom so many of the facts presented have been obtained. At this memorable period of our country's history, when the Union that was established by the wisdom and cemented by the blood of our venerated fathers, has been so madly assailed, he is happy to have been the means of rescuing from oblivion facts that must increase our national reverence and regard for one of the most distinguished founders of our Republic, and administrators of its Government.-Esto Perpetua. CUMBERLAND COLLEGE, PRINCETON, Kr., 1862. CONTENTS. Death of Jefferson and Adams-" Thomas Jefferson Still Sur- vives," in the Memory of his Overseer-Visit to his Neigh- bor, Capt. Roach-Anecdote of John Randolph-Introduc- tion to Capt. Bacon-Mr. Jefferson and the University of Virginia-Selection of the Site-Laying of the Corner-Stone -Interest in the Erection of the University-Mr. Jefferson's Letter of Recommendation to Capt. Bacon-Capt. Bacon's Horses-His Knowledge of Blooded Stock-John Randolph's AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF CAPT. EDMUND BACON. Birth-Family-Early Acquaintance with Mr. Jefferson-Em- ployed by him as Overseer-With him Twenty Years-Visit to St. Louis in 1818-The Party-Journey on Horseback- Fording Rivers-Deer, Wolves, and Wild Game on the Route -Gov. Coles and his Slaves at Edwardsville, Ill.-St. Louis a Small French Settlement-Gov. Clarke-His Views of the |