1From Thomas Jefferson to James Wilkinson, 16 January 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
A mr Morgan Brown of Palmyra has been so kind as to offer me two Indian busts of marble or other stone, which are to be forwarded to New Orleans to the care of mr Daniel Clarke junr. of that place. as there would be considerable danger of their being lost, should they come by any common conveyance from thence to this place, and understanding you will be coming round in a frigate in the spring,...
2To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 22 May 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been obliged by a letter from you, with reference to two Italian Busts, which you Expect to receive by way of New Orleans, and being on the Eve of my departure hence for that City, in my route to the Atlantic States, (probably to land at the City of Washington) I embrace the present occasion to make this acknowledgement, and to offer you my assurances of attention, to the Commission...
3To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 1 September 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I will rely on your goodness to excuse this intrusion produced by my desire to prevent interpretations, which I should be sorry to merit— Your Letter of the 16th. Jany:, after some considerable lapse of time, reached my Hands at Natchez, & was answered by a Mr. Nolan, anterior to my departure from thence in May— I had then cause for belief that Mr. N. would have presented Himself to you, long...
4To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 29 November 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose you a series of the Meteorological observations, which, should they be deemed worthy of record, may I hope be ascribed to the Author, the Honble Willm: Dunbar of the Forest near Natchez.— Some petrifactions, an Indian Knife, & a Sketch of the settled parts of the Mississippi Territory, are also offered for your amusement, but I must request that no copy of the Sketch may be allowed...
5From Thomas Jefferson to James Wilkinson, 23 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of asking the protection of your cover for a letter to Lieutt. Meriwether Lewis, not knowing where he may be. in selecting a private secretary, I have thought it would be advantageous to take one who possessing a knolege of the Western country, of the army & it’s situation, might sometimes aid us with informations of detail, which we may not otherwise possess. a personal...
6To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson and Benjamin Hawkins, 1 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Understanding from the public prints, that you are at Monticello, we avail ourselves of the direct conveyance to intrude on you our communications of the 25th ult , and of this day , to the secretary of War; and we hope you may approve of this deviation from the regular course of our correspondence, which we hazard, with the intent to secure time, for the seasonable arrival of any order you...
7From Thomas Jefferson to James Wilkinson, Benjamin Hawkins, and Andrew Pickens, 16 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 1st. inst. covering letters to the Secretary at war, left open for my perusal, came to hand yesterday. General Dearborne being at present at his own house in the province of Maine, were we to await an answer from him, the object of your application would be passed by before you could recieve it. to prevent the public from recieving injury therefore from this circumstance I...
8To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 18 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
presuming that a sample of the Waters of the Mississippi & Arkansaw Rivers, remarkable for their difference to each other & to the Waters of all other Rivers within my Knowledge, may not be unacceptable to you, I avail myself of a conveyance by Doctor Carmichael of the Army, who will have the Honor to deliver this, to send you a Bottle of each, taken from those Rivers in their lowest & least...
9To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson (Jefferson Papers)
Your kind invitation to dinner this Day, increases the mortification I experience, from not being able to pay my respects to you—An affection of my Head & Breast, which I have resisted several Days, compeled me last Evening to lose blood & I am now under the operation of medicine—I lament the sudden departure of Baron Humbolt as I feel a strong Interest in having his answers to the quere?...
10To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 19 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
about 130 Leagues above the Cado nation & 230 from Natchitoches, we have discovered on either side the Red River, Cliffs of rock Salt—we also find several salt springs above this point & one below it, which discharge themselves into the River, & actually give a brackish taste to its Waters, as low down as the settlement of Natchitoches, during the recess of the floods, or rather before their...
11To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, with Jefferson’s Note, 1 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
General Wilkinson has the Honor to submit, to the private Inspection of the President, Portraits of several prominent Characters in Louisiana, (the Territory of Orleans) from the Pens of two Gentlemen, strangers to each other, of different Nations & opposite prejudices—The one a French Man, the other an Atlantic American—But both of them, decidedly opposed to the French Government, & as...
12Enclosure: Comments on Orleans Residents, with Jefferson’s Notes, 1 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
84. Borés—Character is not fully drawn,—for it might be said, that he is Industrious; Honorable in all his transactions, the ablest agriculturist in the Province and the author of the culture of Sugar, but He does not speak a word of English. 85. Detrihan—is well described, but does not understand English. 86. Poydras—of Pointe Coupeé, the Patron Friend & Representative of that very opulent...
13To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 5 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I regret that Indisposition should have prevented the earlier acknowledgment of your obliging Note of the 3rd. Inst., and I hope it may not be unseasonable at this time, to submit to you the following brief remarks, in reply to that Note.— Mr. Borés intemperate conduct may be imputed to national prejudice, to a false estimate of his own importance, & a delusive reliance on the maternal...
14To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 10 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I regret that a variety of interruptions & engagements, should have so long prevented my attention, to the subject you did me the Honor to mention to me.— On turning it in my Mind, the Idea occurred to me that your proposition could not be better sustained, than by an examination of the System of defences, heretofore adopted for our Towns & Harbours, and a comparative view of its merits with...
15To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 27 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
In a case which excites the sharpest self-reproach & exposes me to severe reprehension, I venture to address myself directly to you, with the hope that you may spare me the publick humiliation, which I have merited by an inexcusable (tho innocent) omission of Duty. The precise injunctions of the Law, relatively to the Oath of Office I am to take, as Governor of the Territory of Louisiana, had...
16To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 22 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The Bearer hereof Capt. Amos Stoddard, who conducts the Indian deputation on their visit to you, has charge of a few natural productions of this Territory, to amuse a leisure Moment, and also a Savage delineation on a Buffaloe Pelt, of the Missouri & its South Western Branches, including the Rivers plate & Lycorne or Pierre jaune; This Rude Sketch without Scale or Compass “et remplie de...
17To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 6 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the Honor to enclose you a list of the Articles transmited you by Captain Stoddard, which may I hope afford you an Hours amusement.— The Cotton Tree (Populus Deltoide of Bartram) is rarely to be found above limestone on the Ohio, but abounds on the Bottom of that River below the Rapids, and on the Mississippi & Missouri as high up as I have been—The favourite Soil of this Tree is...
18To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 23 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The opposition of a party of Kances Indians, to a small detachment destined up the Missouri, for the purpose of returning to their respective Nations, the Riccari & otto Chiefs, sent down last Spring by Captain Lewis, puts it in my Power to introduce the former to You. From observation & the limited Enquiry to which I am confined by an illiterate Interpreter, I think you may be able to derive...
19To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 29 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Could I be so vain as to impute aught of personal regard, to the generous & paternal support which you have recently given to my official pretensions, I should not hesitate to implore you to forbear the indulge of every sympathy towards me, which might cause you one single Enemy, however undeserved or contemptible—Dispose of me Sir as your private Interests, or the National Service may...
20To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 21 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I find from a public print lately established in Kentucky, the main object of which is the ensuing presidential Election, That the cause of Easton, Case, Lucas, Hammond & other Mal Contents of Louisiana, has made a powerful acquisition in the Pen of John Wood, by whom I have “en passant” been bespattered with Obloquy, & slandered with a degree of virulence & indecency surpassing all example,...
21To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 21 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Whatever may be the general impropriety, I pursuade myself that on a Subject irrelative to my official obligations, I shall be excused for addressing you directly & confidentially; But I have another & a more cogent reason, for deviating, in this instance, from the ordinary course of my Correspondence; It is possible the momentous occasion of this Letter, & the vital importance attached to it,...
22To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 26 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The following information appears to rest on such broad and explicit grounds, as to exclude all doubts of its authenticity: A numerous and powerful association, extending from New York through the western states to the territory bordering on the Mississippi, has been formed with the design to levy and rendezvous eight or ten thousand men in New Orleans at a very near period; and from thence,...
23From James Madison to James Wilkinson, 8 November 1806 (Madison Papers)
Represent to Genl. Wilkerson That the great probability of an amicable & early settlement of our differences with Spain at Paris had rendered the Executive extremely desirous of avoiding actual hostilities, because it would be a mere destruction of human life without affecting in the smallest degree the settlement, or it’s conditions, that therefore they had determined to assume the Sabine as...
24To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 12 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I again intrude upon you the subject of the duplicate under cover, which presents a spectacle of human depravity, to excite our sorrow, indignation and abhorrence. Many circumstances have intervened since my last, confirmatory of the information previously received, and demonstrative of a deep, dark and wicked conspiracy. My doubts have ceased, and it is my opinion, that nought but an...
25To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 28 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Claiborne appears to be properly impressed par le awful crisis which awaits us, and promises every support in his power. Les troops are behind moi 145.24 & la 195.4 321.14 a commencer. My difficulties are stupendous—my means to be provided—my time prompt unthriving and the occasion urgent and critical. Mais une good cause—the favour du ciel—religious and patriotic hearts 126.19 work wonders....
26To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 9 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I must trust to the peculiar delicacy and difficulty of my situation for the motive and the excuse of this third intrusion on the same momentous subject.—Between the alternatives of waiting for instructions from the proper department (whose last orders to me bear date the 9th. of June) until from the feeble and defenceless condition in which I find this place, the enemy should gain the portal...
27To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 9 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Accompanied by governor Claiborne, I, a few minutes since, met the merchants of the city, and in a short address, to which my sensibilities gave direction, I explained to them the causes which had produced the assembly of the troops at this place, and the preparations which were making to fortify the town; painted to them, in glowing colors, the impending dangers which menaced the city and...
28To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 2 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Capt. Stille late of the army—declares that speaking to Mr. Granger in Baltimore Concerning his route to this Country, he Mr. Granger observed to him, why You will be at the Falls of the ohio about the time the Grand Flotilla will reach it—He Capt. Stille enquired what flotilla? Mr. Granger answered have You not heard of the Grand flotilla preparing at Marietta & else where—on Capt. Stille’s...
29From Thomas Jefferson to James Wilkinson, 3 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I had intended yesterday to recommend to Genl. Dearborne the writing to you weekly by post to convey information of our Western affairs as long as they are interesting, because it is possible, tho’ not probable, you might sometimes get the information quicker this way than down the river, but the Genl. recieved yesterday information of the death of his son in the E. Indies, & of course cannot...
30To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 23 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
“A moment of awful suspense has arrived. Mr. Burr’s letter to Mr. Mead, of the 12th instant, transmitted to the secretary of war, is not indicative of doubts, fears or despondence; and if he is able to put off Mr. Mead for four or five days from the present, we may expect unpleasant scenes to ensue. The friends of Mr. Burr and my enemies, labour at this moment to stamp on the public mind that...
31From Thomas Jefferson to James Wilkinson, 3 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
A returning express gives me an opportunity of acknoleging the receipt of your letters of Nov. 12. Dec. 9. 9. 14. 18. 25. 26. and Jan. 2. I wrote to you Jan. 3. and through mr Briggs Jan. 10. the former being written while the Secretary at war was unable to attend to business, gave you the state of the information we then possessed as to Burr’s conspiracy. I now inclose you a message...
32To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 13 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I last Evening had the Honor to receive your Letter of the 3rd. Ultmo., & rejoice at M: Briggs’s safe arrival, however unseasonable, for I had begun to feel serious concern for his safety.— You must long before this Period have heard of the salutary decision, to which I have been driven in this City, and of the persecution & abuse I have suffered & am suffering in consequence thereof: The late...
33To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 17 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the Honor to inclose you a duplicate of my Letter of the 13th. Inst., transmitted by the last Mail, and in obedience to your desire, I avail myself of the conveyance by Judge Sprigg, to forward you one of Burr’s original Letters to me, and by the next safe conveyance, I will transmit you a literal Interpretation of it duly attested, which I have not yet taken time to render to my...
34To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 26 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the Honor to transmit you a duplicate of my last, & to inform you, that Judge Sprigg having declined his voyage, after He had taken his passage; and the conveyance both by the Mail & by the Ocean, having become too in ence for the transmittal of original documents, I shall avail myself of the return of an officer on furlough who will leave this shortly, to transmit you the Letters you...
35To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 1 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I transmit this by a Vessel bound to Baltimore, to cover a duplicate of my letter of the 26th. Ulto. and to trespass some further details on your patience. The enclosed Extract of a letter from S. Dinsmore, will apprize you of the State of things at Natchez, and particularly the Situation of Blennerhassett, Tyler, Ralston and Floyd. Should these men be left to the Mummery of a trial, before a...
36To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 3 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just received your Original Letter, of the 3d. of January, and Sincerely congratulate you on the Arrest of Burr, though I fear from the route by which he has been Sent, that you Will never find him at Washington. The popular feelings, His extreme art and desperation conspire to favor his escape. Mr. Gaines has certainly done for the best, but I should have prefered to Send him by Sea....
37To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 12 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
You will find under cover the Report I have promised, and I flatter myself you will not condemn the manner, in which it has been obtained. I beg to refer you for Mr. Burling Character (not a common one) to General S. Smith who has long Known Him—On my own part I profess to you, I consider Him the pure Patriot, & hardly to be equaled in any Enterprize which Interests His feelings; and yet he is...
38To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 20 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Milligan the Express delivered me Your Letter of the 3rd. Ultmo. the Evening of the 14th. Inst:, which lifted from my Breast a load of anxeity, and I will confess furnished a sweet Solace to my poor heart depressed with cares & sorrows—your sympathy for my difficulties, your admonition for my Conduct, & your solicitude for my welfare, impress deeply my affections, and are received as the...
39To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 27 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I tresspass this Note on your Time, to inform you that I have strong expectations I shall be able to prove, that Burr sunk his ordnance Boat in the Mississippi near the Bayou Pierre, That He actually seduced a Sergt. Jacob Dunbaugh to defect the Service, who accompanied Him to Natchez & will I hope be in my power in a few Days, and that He corrupted Lt. Jackson & His Garrison at the Chickasaw...
40To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 3 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
By a singular concatenation of incidents, I have ascertained that Depestre mentioned to you in a former Letter, was the accredited Agent of Burr, who visited St. Louis in October last; and that Mr. Depestre bore a Letter from Burr to a Mr. Provenchere, giving Him assurances that a revolution of the Western States would take place on the 15th. Day of November & inviting Him to join in it. This...
41To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 15 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I transmit you a duplicate of my last, in which you will perceive my ignorance of the Arrangement, you had made for the Territory of Louisiana; and also of the violent & uncharitable attacks, made on my Character & Conduct, in the publick prints & even on the floor of Congress.— Sunk by the severest domestic Calamity into a State of apathy & despondance, my Mind had fastened upon the “Luxury...
42To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 19 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
In the Hope Burr may have reached the City of Washington, I think proper to transmit you the inclosed—Every day unfolds something of the Plot & convinces me it is not abandoned—This was Burrs parting declaration to His followers, and if Adair is on his way hither, he is moved by objects of higher importance, than personal or legal reparation from me—He is more competent, to a desperate Effort...
43To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 17 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The Engagements, Soul & Body, which have occupied me since my Arrival here the 13th. Inst:, must be my Apology for not giving you this assurance sooner— I dreamt, not of the importance attached to my presence before I reached Hampton, & had directed my views more to the vindication of my own Fame, than the crimination of the abandoned wretch, who had dared to implicate it; for I had...
44From Thomas Jefferson to James Wilkinson, 21 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night yours of the 16th. and sincerely congratulate you on your safe arrival at Richmond against the impudent surmises & hopes of the band of conspirators, who because they are as yet permitted to walk abroad, and even to be in the character of witnesses until such a measure of evidence shall be collected as will place them securely at the bar of justice, attempt to cover their...
45To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 29 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The late outrage by the British on the chesapeake, has produced every where, within our range of Intelligence at this place, a degree of Emotion bordering on rage—I revere the Honourable impulse but fear its Effects—Measures taken with deliberation will be best sustained, and our National dignity cannot be so well supported, as by those regular & orderly proceedings, which are sanctioned by...
46To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 26 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
General Wilkinson transmits the inclosed to the President for his perusal, & will pay his respects to Him some time this forenoon, to offer such explanations touching Adairs Letter as may be deemed necessary— DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
47To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 11 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
It is my purpose to advise you from time to time of our proceedings at this place, pending the passing scenes which Interest our Country in its most vital concerns; for this intrusion I shall offer you no apology, since my motive will be your Information and amusement. The trial of Burr commenced Yesterday, & his Exceptions for cause swept away forty four out of forty eight Jurors—preconceived...
48To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 13 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I tresspassed on you some time since by Doctr. Upshaw, a crude partial Sketch of our doings here, in which I believe I anticipated the result of Burrs trial for treason: I know little of Law & less of Judicial proceedings, but Common sense suggests that He has been hastily acquited, under certain refinements & subtilties of Sentiment, opposed to the claims of Justice, & apparently calculated...
49To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 15 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I did intend to transmit you a Copy of Capt Pikes report by Governor Lewis, but have been too occupied to fulfil my purpose—I shall have the Honor to Hand it to you at the Seat of Government The disgraceful & dishonourable Scenes which have been passing in review here, are drawing to a close—Burr has just been acquited on the trial for Misdemeanor, and now a motion will be made for his...
50From Thomas Jefferson to James Wilkinson, 20 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved your favors of the 13th. & 15th. on my return to this place on the 17th. and such was the mass of business accumulated in my absence that I have not till now been able to take up your letters. you are certainly free to make use of any of the papers we put into mr Hay’s hands with a single reservation. to wit, some of them are expressed to be confidential, & others are of that kind...