More windows

To Monticello first thing this morning - in the pouring rain. Was able to drive straight up to the house as it was before the tours started. Went in through the cellars, or dependencies as they are called. Started in the main hall and had a tour of the public rooms and then upstairs - ending up in the dome at the top and into the "cuddy" - a room that has only just been opened up for the behind the scenes tours.

Not the most spectacular rooms in the house I grant you - but the reason I was interested was because of the window. Banging on about Alexander and the windows again. Were these the ones he had to have made?

Also this rather fine round one in the dome:

Jefferson ordered 10 circular sashes of mahogany astragal and hollow.

I wasn't allowed to take pictures in the main house - but this website has some great pictures of what I saw in there.

Three things which I will look into further -

1. The books - how many of the books in the library were ordered by Alexander? Need to tie in the lists of what he ordered with what is in there and is original. All the ones in the library that Jefferson owned are behind glass.
Speaking of books - Grant was with me for the tour and he now remembers that the book he thinks was Alexander Donald's he bought in Richmond, VA and was a Voltaire, published in Scotland. Could it be? Surely can't? Must look to see if Jefferson ordered a Voltaire from Alexander.

2. Pictures - all around the house were miniatures of Jefferson's friends. Some too tiny to see as they were behind rope etc. Again - a huge long shot, but there were loads of them everywhere. One of Alexander tucked in there somewhere? I need to find the person who has catalogued absolutely everything in there.

3. Wine and glass. Jefferson's wine glasses and decanters on display - annoyingly out of my reach. A fantastic decanter travelling box with 12 decanters - mine only has four - so he knew how to travel. Then were were some old bottle labels from the garden - one labelled 1784 - and here are some notes from Jefferson to Donald about 1784 wines - he certainly liked that year!  Alexander probably regretted saying that he didn't limit him to any price!

"The second was of Chateau Margau of the year 1784. bought by myself on the spot, and a part of the very purchase from which I now send you. It is of the best vintage which has happened in nine years, and is of one of the four vineyards which are admitted to possess exclusively the first reputation. I may safely assure you therefore that, according to the taste of this country and of England there cannot be a bottle of better Bordeaux produced in France. It cost me at Bordeaux three livres a bottle, ready bottled and packed. This is very dear; but you say you do not limit me in price."

Here is what Alexander thought of the wine:

"The wine you were so kind as spare me from your own stock, is very excellent. It is universally admired, and whenever it is produced (which is only on particular occasions) I am prompted either by my gratitude or vanity to declare from whence it came, and give me leave to add, that we never fail to take a toast to your health. Don’t I pray you misunderstand me, which you will exceedingly, if you conclude that you are only remembered at my Table, when your wine is produced on it."

Awful toad.

Anyway - I am now Richmond bound - to try and track down the secret agent files on Alexander and his brother Thomas's claims for compensation after the Revolution.

Jefferson wrote about Richmond when he was ordering his sober stonemason from Scotland -

"The sooner in the spring I can receive him the better, and the moment he lands at Richmond, he should be sent off by your friend there to Monticello, or he will get corrupted. 24. hours conversation with our workmen in Richmond, would so turn his head as that I could never be able to keep him."

I shall try not to come back corrupted.