1To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 17 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
A few days ago, in conversation with an Officer of high standing in the Naval Department, with whom I had held Considerable intercourse, and mutual opinion in the auxiliary mode of defence by Gun-boats, during the affair of the Chesapeake, he intimated such a change of sentiment in favor of increasing the navy for the purposes of external service, and treated the former system so lightly, as...
2To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 30 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have directed Mr. Bonsal, Sir, to transmit to you the second printed Pamphlet on the subject of the Canal which I have the honor to propose from this port to Carolina, by way of Kempsville & the North Landing; embracing also a latteral naval cut from Kempsville to Lynhaven river, designed for bettering the defence of this place & the United States in general. I have also persevered, under...
3To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 2 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Calculating that you will be at the seat of Government on the 4th. July, perhaps to continue there a few days, and believing that then Sir You will possess both the power and inclination to rescue me from ruinous embarrassments which are resulting from a long continuance out of business, a long & steady attachment to the interests & prosperity of the United States, and a total deprivation of...
4To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 6 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just finished completing my agricultural designs for this year, leaving the Plantation in fine order, & the crop under good fence having a straight line fence of six feet high for all the partitions on a plan new in this Country, & which will, I hope, prove a profitable example. I shall leave the crop (now planted) in the hands of those who remain, & remove towards Harbour Island...
5To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 10 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I drop you a Note by this Post, chiefly to furnish you with the readiest address, if any occasion occurs to call for my services.—I presume the many important matters before Government at present, may be the reason why I am not honored with any communication from Yourself, or the heads of Department, touching my unfinished Surveys about the enterance of the Chesapeake, the Gunboat Canals,...
6To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 11 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Just as I completed the Land part of my Survey, (forming a correct base, and accurate adjustment of the most prominent objects) by Compass & Chain, perambulating high Water level from the Southward of the Light House on Cape Henry to the Mouth of Long Creek, including Lynhaven Inlet, a British tender [with] two row boats (one of them large) came to an Anchor Close to the Western junction of...
7To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 7 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
My last (4th. instant) advised You that I had consented, at Commodore De’Catur’s request, to proceed on the Survey requisite to satisfy the requisitions of the Navy; and I expect to be farther informed on that head; as they certainly do not expect to make me a [s]econd in the business. I have stipulated for the same terms as in the Coast Survey in Carolina, & the same motives which prompt me...
8To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 4 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
After dispatching the Survey &c, inclosed to You last night, Comr. Decatur called on me, in bed, and I have declined going to Carolina till the requisition of the Secy. of the Navy is complied with in the most economical way our economical resources will permit. I shall write You my Sentiments on this subject, at more leisure, & (for the present) I beg the honor of Your Communications to...
9To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 2 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I am this moment from Lynhaven Inlet, which I thought it proper to visit before I set out to the Southward; & it may be well (if any thing to say to me) to address to Newbern with duplicate to Norfolk: I shall certainly volunteer it there if circumstances require it, for no misfortune shall suffer fame to recognize an inconsistency in a life which has been perpetually oppressed, & persecuted,...
10To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 26 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here last night, after having gone through an additional & thourough examination of Pamptico Sound since my last to you from Newbern, and had designed to have set seriously to work in order to furnish Government with several Communications on the subject of our public economy, particularly one on the defence of the Coast, wherein (corresponding in sentiment with Comodore Decatur...