1Enclosure: Stephen Hallet’s Description of His New Plan for the Capitol, [ca. 15 March 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Succinct description of a new Plan of a Capitol by Mr. Hallet. The principal front is in a direct line of 320. feet in length, having in the middle a circular projection of 105. feet diameter, very nearly of the proportions of the Pantheon, and crowned in the same taste, the same Cornish, surmounted by a balustrade, crowns the whole edifice which is proposed to be covered in terrasses. The...
2Agenda for Commissioners of the Federal District, [ca. 5 March 1792] (Jefferson Papers)
Estimates &ca. are sent to shew the views &ca. of Majr. LEnfant. MS ( DLC : Washington Papers); in the hands of both TJ and Washington, as indicated in notes below; undated, but certainly written after 1 Mch. and on or before 6 Mch. 1792. It is very probable that TJ wrote the first part of the agenda and sent it or left it with Washington on 5 Mch. 1792 (see Washington to TJ, 4 Mch. 1792 ) and...
3George Washington to the Senate, with Jefferson’s Note to Washington, 28 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I was led, by a consideration of the qualifications of Patterson of New Jersey to nominate him an associate justice of the Supreme court of the US. It has since occurred that he was a member of the Senate when the act creating that office was passed and that the time for which he was elected had not yet expired. I think it my duty therefore to declare that I deem the nomination to have been...
4VI. Draft of a Message from the President to the Senate, [4 March 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
The ‘Act for the admission of the state of Vermont into this union’ having fixed on this, as the day of it’s admission, it was thought that this would also be the first day on which any officer of the Union might legally perform any act of authority relating to that state. I therefore required your attendance to recieve nominations of the several officers necessary to put the federal...
5To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 3 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
a letter is received from Mr Dumas, begun Dec. 4 & ending Jan. 26. the only interesting passage is the following “I have the satisfaction to be able to testify that the American funds are in great favor with the monied men of this country. I have seen them sell from one to another the obligations of the Congress of the first loan at 100.¾ per cent; those of the last of 1788. at 99 to 100....
6From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 31 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you a statement of the expenditure of the monies appropriated to our intercourse with foreign nations to be laid before the legislature according to the requisitions of the law . The account of the Secretary of state commences July 1. 1792. where that rendered at the last session ended; and is brought down to this time. In the two preceding years of this...
7VIII. Secretary of State to the President, 18 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson is sorry to present a long letter to the President to be read at so busy a moment: but the view which it presents of our commercial matters in France is too interesting to be unknown to the President.—The circumstances presented to view in the 2d. page of the letter induce Th: J. to think it may be well to commit to Mr. Short and the M. de la Fayette to press our settlement with...
8Memorandum to George Washington, 22 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Taking them up in their order, they appear susceptible of answer in the following way. The 1st. and 2d. by a concurrence of sentiment for the maintenance of the constitution, and preservation of peace, and the pleasure with which the President recieves their assurances of support in these objects. 3. Notice of the expressions of their personal respect . 4. Approbation of their expressions of...
9To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 10 Nov. 1791. After examining the enclosed papers relating to the land purchase of John Cleves Symmes on the Great Miami River, he thinks it proper to lay them before Congress, to demonstrate not only the foundation of Symmes’s larger claim but also the “expediency of providing some speedy and regular mode of deciding this and other questions of a like nature which might arise...
10To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 28 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you two letters from Judge Symmes of Jan. 25th & 27th. his letter of Sep. 17. mentioned in the first of these was received by me Nov. 23. and after being laid before you, was answered Dec. 4. the part of the answer respecting leave from you to come to Philadelphia was in these words. “the President does not conceive that the Constitution has given him any controul...
11Cabinet Opinions on the Republican and the Catharine, 12 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
June 12. 1793. The President having required the opinions of the heads of the three departments on a letter from Governor Clinton of the 9th. inst. stating that he had taken possession of the sloop Polly, now called the Republican, which was arming, equipping and manning by French and other citizens to cruize against some of the belligerent powers, and desiring to know what further was to be...
12To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 28 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
The rise in the price of copper, & difficulty of obtaining it from other quarters, has induced the Director of the Mint (as I had the honor of mentioning to you yesterday) to turn his attention to Sweden, as the country from which according to his information it may be obtained on the best terms. he wishes that some means could be adopted of importing some on the public account. there is so...
13III. Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 15 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I have formed an opinion, quite satisfactory to myself, that the adjournments of Congress may be by law, as well as by resolution, without touching the constitution. I am now copying fair what I had written yesterday on the subject and will have the honor of laying it before you by ten aclock.—The address to the President contains a very full digest of all the arguments urged against the bill...
14To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson and Edmund Randolph, 14 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
The opinion is, 1. that the attorney for the district of Kentucky do forthwith take the most effectual measures for prosecuting according to law O’Fallon; and that he be informed, that unless the testimony within his reach will clearly subject him to the charge of treason, the prosecution be for a riot. 2. that a proclamation issue, reciting the treaties, law and further proclamation on this...
15From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 16 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to submit to the inspection of the President a set of copper promisory notes, and coins, made by Boulton, the superiority of which over any thing we can do here, will fully justify our wish to set our mint agoing on that plan.—They are obscured by the sea-air. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the U.S.”; endorsed by Tobias Lear. Tr ( Lb in same,...
16From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 7 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The accounts of the last week from Lisbon, announcing an actual declaration of war by France against England and Holland, when applied to the preceding note of the British court ordering the French minister to leave London (which is generally considered as preliminary to a declaration of war) now render it extremely probable that those powers are at actual war, and necessary in my opinion that...
17III. Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 28 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
According to the intimation the other day, and indeed according to my own wish in a question, if not difficult, yet very important, I have the honor to inclose you a written opinion on the question Whether the US. ought to declare their treaties with France void, or suspended? This contains my answer to the 2d. 3d. 4th. 5th. and 6th. of the written queries . The 1st. had been before answered...
18From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 23 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Before your departure, it becomes necessary for me to sollicit your orders on the Treasury for the third year’s allowance under the act concerning intercourse with foreign nations . This act commenced July 1. 1790. Two years allowance have been furnished and a sum of 500. Dollars over. Nine months of the 3d. year are now nearly elapsed, and according to an estimate I had the honor of giving in...
19From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 13 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to send to the President a sketch which he has submitted to a gentleman or two in the legislature on the subject of Indian purchases. He sends him also two letters received last night from Mr. Gouverneur Morris. The correspondence referred to in one of them, is in French, and being improper to go into the hands of a clerk, Th:J. is translating it himself for the use...
20From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 3 October 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I received from Mr. Gore by yesterday’s post the evidence on the aggression committed by Mr. Duplaine Vice Consul of France at Boston, and it appears fully to establish the fact against him. I have therefore prepared and countersigned a Revocation of his Exequatur, with letters on the subject to him, to Mr. Genet, and Mr. Morris; as also instructions to Mr. Bankson in what way to make up their...
21To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 16 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 16 Mar. 1792. Sends GW “two letters just recd from Colo. Humphreys.” AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State; LB (photocopy), DLC:GW . The enclosures were two letters from the U.S. minister to Portugal, David Humphreys, which the secretary of state had received this day: a dispatch of 23 Dec....
22Cabinet Opinion on French Privateers, 3 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
That The Minister of the French Republic be informed that the President considers the U. States as bound pursuant to positive assurances, given in conformity to the laws of neutrality, to effectuate the restoration of, or to make compensation for, prizes which shall have been made of any of the parties at war with France subsequent to the fifth day of June last by privateers fitted out of...
23From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 16 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to send to the President the copy of a Report he proposes to give in to the H. of Representatives on Monday on the subject of a Petition of John Rogers referred to him. The President will see by Mr. Hammond’s letter, now inclosed, that he has kindled at the facts stated in Th:J’s report on commerce. Th:J. adds the draught of an answer to him, if the President should...
24To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 13 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President submits to him another letter to mister Morris, on a subject just now put into his hands. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State. Jefferson’s second letter to Gouverneur Morris of 13 June asked Morris to inquire into an “unaccounted for” one million livres...
25To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 28 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
According to the intimation the other day, and indeed according to my own wish in a question, if not difficult, yet very important, I have the honor to inclose you a written opinion on the question Whether the U.S. ought to declare their treaties with France void, or suspended? This contains my answer to the 2d 3d 4th 5th & 6th of the written queries. The 1st had been before answered & acted...
26To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 23 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honour to inform the President that a gentleman leaves town early tomorrow morning for New-York from whence a vessel sails on Monday for Liverpool, on board which will go a passenger who may be trusted with any letters for London. Th: J. proposes to make up his packet to-night, can the President give him previously a half hour, for the communication of the letter to...
27To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 26 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President Minutes of what passed on the subject of the letter to mister Genet. also the draught of a letter to the Merchants. both papers have been twice sent to the Attorney General’s, but he is not in town nor will he be till tomorrow. AL , DLC:GW . For these minutes, see Cabinet Opinion, 23 Aug. 1793 . In his circular letter to American...
28Enclosure: Observations on the French Debt, [ca. 17 October 1792] (Jefferson Papers)
Quotation from Fenno’s gazette of Sep. 19. 1792. a peice signed Catullus ‘I proceed now to state the exact tenor of the advice which Mr. Jefferson gave to Congress, respecting the transfer of the debt due to France to a company of Hollanders. After mentioning an offer which had been made by such a company for the purchase of the debt he concludes with these extraordinary expressions. “If there...
29From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 2 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President has the honor to inclose him three copies of the Proclamation and of the Rules. Having only heard the speech read, he cannot recollect it perfectly enough to decide by memory what documents it requires from his office, and therefore is obliged to ask of the President if any more be requisite? RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The Presid[…]”;...
30IV. Secretary of State to the President, 14 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour to inclose you the copy of a paragraph from the report of the proceedings of the Executive of the North-Western government, which may perhaps need the attention of the Secretary at war.—I am, with the most profound respect & attachment Sir Your most obedient & most humble Servant, PrC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “the President of the U.S.”; entry in SJPL reads: “Winthrop Serjt....
31To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 22 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the Presidt returns mister Ellicot’s letter, with an answer, which if approved may go by today’s post. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State; LB (photocopy), DLC:GW . In his letter to GW of 16 Mar. 1793
32To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 16 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President some letters just received. Colo. Fay having sent him a paper of Sugar-Maple seed, Th: J., on his request, asks the President’s acceptance of the within. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State; LB (photocopy), DLC:GW . The enclosed letters were probably...
33To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 3 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honour to inclose to the President a letter from the Director of the Mint, containing a general statement of the expenditure of the last monies furnished, & an application of a further sum of 5000. D. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State. For the enclosed letter from David Rittenhouse...
34To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 22 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
Th. Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President the extract he desired from his letter of May 4. 1787. He finds by a note, which he does not know however where he got, that the city of Mexico is about 200. miles from the sea. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DLC:GW . Ever since Alexander Hamilton’s July conversations with Major Beckwith about the Anglo-Spanish war crisis,...
35Memorandum to George Washington, [11 July 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
To be read at the President’s leisure. Governr. H. Lee’s letter. June 28. concerning supposed pestilential disease in W.I. The Suckey. Th:J’s letter June 26. to Mr. Hammond. Th:J. to Mr. Hammond. June 25. on insinuation concerning Western posts. do. to do. do. developement of order about privateers arming. Philips’s letter June 7. cannot be received as Consul at Curaçoa....
36Report on the Proceedings of the Northwest Territory, 29 October 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of State has had under consideration the Report of the proceedings of the Secretary of the Territory of the U.S. North West of the Ohio in the absence of the Governor from January the 1st. to June 30th. 1792. and Reports to the President of the United States that there is nothing contained therein which requires any thing to be done on the part of the President of the United...
37Report on Edmond Charles Genet and Gouverneur Morris, 11 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President doubtless recollects the communications of Mr. Ternant expressing the dissatisfaction of the Executive council of France with Mr. Morris our minister there, which however Mr. Ternant desired might be considered as informal: that Colo. Smith also mentioned that dissatisfaction , and that Mr. LeBrun told him he would charge Mr. Genet expressly with their representations on this...
38V. Jefferson’s Opinion on the Constitutionality of the Residence Bill, 15 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
A Bill having passed the two houses of Congress, and being now before the President, declaring that the seat of the federal government shall be transferred to the Patowmac in the year 1790 [i.e. 1800], that the session of Congress next ensuing the present shall be held at Philadelphia, to which place the offices shall be transferred before the 1st. of December next, a writer in a public paper...
39Cabinet Opinions on Relations with France and Great Britain, 7 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
A circular letter from the Secretary of state to the Consuls and Vice Consuls of France, informing them that their Exequaturs will be revoked if they repeat certain proceedings, also one to Mr. Genet covering a copy of the letter of the Secretary of state to Mr. Gouverneur Morris desiring the recall of Mr. Genet, were read and approved. A letter from the Governr. of Georgia to the Secy. of...
40To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 14 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honour to submit to the President a letter from Mr de Viar, with the answer he has prepared to it, and a letter in consequence for Colo. Humphreys. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DLC:GW . The enclosures were the Spanish chargé José Ignacio de Viar’s letter to Thomas Jefferson of 12 Dec. and Jefferson’s reply of 13 Dec., as well as Jefferson’s letter to...
41To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 16 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to submit to the President the rough draught of an answer to Mr Genet’s letter of June 22. it is left unclosed, in case any other matters should be thought proper to be added. otherwise he would propose to close it with reiterations of friendship to his nation. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, GW’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of...
42From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 30 July 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yesterday the letter you did me the honor to write on the 23d. inst. covering one from the Governor of Vermont. As the question Which party has a right to complain, depends on the fact Which party has hitherto exercised jurisdiction in the place where the seizure was made, and the Governor’s letter does not ascertain that fact, I think it will be better to wait his answer to my two...
43Report on Proceedings of Executive in Northwest Territory, 29 February 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of state has had under examination the Records of Proceedings in the Executive department of the North-Western government from the 1st. of Aug. to the 31st. of December 1791. transmitted by the Secretary, and Reports to the President of the United States That finding nothing therein which calls for the attention or interference of the President, he has deposited them among the...
44From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 30 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President French copies of the communications of Mr. Genet on the subject of our debt to France, as they will convey his sense perhaps more faithfully to the Secretary of the treasury should the President think proper to refer them to him.—He has changed the expression in the close of the 2d. paragraph of the letter to Mr. Van Berkel, so as to...
45To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 27 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President the translation of a letter he received last night from Messrs Viar & Jaudenes and which he supposes should be communicated to the legislature as being in answer to one communicated to them. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State. The enclosed letter of...
46To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 29 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor of inclosing to the President a letter just received from Messrs Viar & Jaudenes, and will have that of waiting on him in the evening. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; AL (letterpress copy), DLC : Jefferson Papers; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State; LB (photocopy),
47From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 3 October 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inclose herewith the following papers. Mr. Genet’s answer with respect to his opposing the service of process on a vessel is singularly equivocal. I rather conjecture he means to withdraw the opposition, and I am in hopes my letter to Mr. Hammond will have produced another effort by the Marshal which will have succeeded. Should this not be the case, if military constraint...
48To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 31 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President some letters just arrived by the Pigou. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State; LB (photocopy), DLC:GW . Tobias Lear added “one from Mr Short & one from Mr Pinckney” to the receiver’s copy of this letter. Thomas Pinckney, in his letter of 29 Aug. from...
49To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 4 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President and will pay due attention to his letter of this day. the question of convening the legislature was considered and as our opinions differed, we agreed to give them seperately which will be done tomorrow. we are to meet at 10. oclock tomorrow to apply the rules, now approved by the President, to the several memorials & complaints as yet...
50To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 12 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you two letters lately recieved from mister Barclay. under another cover also I send to the Commissioners, open for your examination, a plan for a Capitol from mister Blodget, which came by the last post. you will see, by that, the use of the paper of which I presented you a few sheets, Blodget’s plan being on a sheet I had given him. it renders the use of a scale &...