101From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 18 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 8th. inst. yesterday I recieved your two favors of the 11th. there ought to be no further hesitation with E. Livingston. the importation of negroes from the French islands ought to be vigorously withstood: but I think we should not tread back our steps as to the reduction of the size of our revenue cutters on bare supposition that they will be resisted. when such a...
102From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 23 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of Aug. 13. and 15. were recieved yesterday. the appointment of a successor to Samuel Bishop must await our re-assembling at Washington. I inclose you the late letters of Livingston & Monroe, for consideration, & to be returned to me when perused. you will find that the French government, dissatisfied perhaps with their late bargain with us, will be glad of a pretext to declare...
103From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 30 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of the 20th. & 22d. came to hand yesterday, and this will go by return of post tomorrow. I now return the letters of Symonds & others on the smugling of negroes into Georgia. his letter to Payne of the revenue cutter will bring to issue the resistance apprehended, and if it be found too great, we must strengthen her. should the Enterprize return here to be refitted, which she...
104III. Referral of the Draft to Albert Gallatin, 3 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of mr Gallatin to examine with rigour the inclosed projet of the message to Congress, and to note on a separate paper the alterations he thinks advantageous. as it is to go thro’ the hands of the other gentlemen of the Cabinet, his immediate attention to it is desireable. he also asks the favor of mr Gallatin to meet the heads of department here tomorrow at 10....
105From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 17 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to enable me this morning to fill up the blank in the following passage of the Message. ‘An account of the reciepts & expenditures of the year ending the 30th. of Sep. last, with the estimates for the ensuing year, will be laid before you by the Secy. of the Treasy. so soon as the reciepts of the last quarter shall be returned from the more distant states. it is already...
106From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 29 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I must ask the favor of you to meet the heads of departments here tomorrow at 12. aclock & afterwards to dine with us. the object is to decide definitively on the arrangements which are to be dispatched Westwardly the next day. Genl. Dearborne & myself had concluded to submit to the meeting a plan little different from that suggested in your letter of yesterday. towit. to send orders to...
107From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 3 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of mr Gallatin, on his arrival at his office, to call & accompany him to the Secretary of State’s office, where a matter of moment & urgency is to be considered. RC ( NHi : Gallatin Papers); addressed: “Mr. Gallatin.” Not recorded in SJL . matter of moment & urgency : on this day the State Department learned that on 17 Aug. a Moroccan cruiser had captured the brig...
108From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 5 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Bell being the lowest bidder for the saltsprings has on that ground the first claim for preference. his character moreover, & the moderation of his views recommend him: but there seems just reason to apprehend he is too moderate, and that he has erred against himself in his calculations, being perhaps too sanguine. it is never the interest of a landlord to break his tenant. in this case it...
109From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 9 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The memoranda you inclosed me from mr Clarke deserve great attention. such articles of them as depend on the executive shall be arranged for the next post. the following articles belong to the legislature. the administration of justice to be prompt. perhaps the judges should be obliged to hold their courts weekly, at least for some time to come. the ships of resident owners to be naturalized,...
110From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 1 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you the letter of mr Miller notifying the resignation of the Supervisor of Maryland, & I approve your proposition of suppressing the office, annexing it’s duties to that of Surveyor of the district of Baltimore with the salary of 250. D. a year & a reasonable allowance for Clerk hire. I return you also your proposed report on the suppression of the Commissionrs. of loans, with an...
111From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 13 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The Attorney Genl. having considered and decided that the prescription, in the law for establishing a bank, that the officers in the subordinate offices of discount & deposit shall be appointed ‘on the same terms and in the same manner practised in the principal bank’ does not extend to them the principle of rotation established by the legislature in the body of Directors in the principal...
112From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 28 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to order 2 copies of the Contingent account to be made out for communicn to Congress? Mr. Madison concurs with us in thinking it better Genl. Dearborne’s case should go to Congress direct for decision. RC ( NHi : Gallatin Papers); addressed: “The Secretary of the Treasury.” Not recorded in SJL . contingent account : the next day, Gallatin sent TJ a brief covering note:...
113From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 29 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Candidates for the office of Keeper of the Light house at Smith’s point William Mountague. owns the land adjacent, an Antirepublican therefore inadmissible. Lancelot L. Edwards. lives near Smith’s Point. recommendd by mr Taliaferro. is he republican? is he sober? and careful & stationary at his residence? Thomas Robinson. lives near the place. recommendd by mr Taliaferro & Genl. Mason. an old...
114From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 12 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed are furnished by the Director of the mint to be laid before Congress. the law requires they should be accompanied with the settlements which have been made relative thereto, duly certified by the Comptroller of the Treasury. duplicates of such a paper are desired with the return of these to be sent to each house by RC ( DLC ); undated; written on address sheet of an unidentified...
115Warrant for Delivery of Louisiana Stock , 16 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas by an Act, passed the tenth day of November, in the year one thousand eight hundred and three, entitled “An Act authorizing the creation of a stock to the amount of eleven millions two hundred and fifty thousand dollars for the purpose of carrying into effect the Convention of the 30th. of April one thousand eight hundred and three, between the United States of America, and the French...
116From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 24 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Harvie concludes not to go to Richmond. I think it would be best for you to write to Baltimore & N. York for information of every vessel in port, and to sail soon, & on what day, for any port on the Western coast of the Continent of Europe. this being known we can take our choice, and, without any previous engagement of passage, mr Harvie can arrive at Baltimore or N. York 24. hours before...
117From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 11 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have always proposed to re-appoint Genl. Gibson to his present office, wherein I hear of no complaint against him. neither his age nor understanding entitle him to any thing beyond that , & equal to his antient military rank. I personally know those who recommend Dr. Baldwin . Kinney is a good man, but as a federalist feels no great interest in our making good appointments. judge Stuart is...
118From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 14 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Eli Vickery lives at Norfolk. if the letter be addressed to the care of Colo Thos. Newton, it will be handed him. RC ( DNA : RG 26, MLR ); undated, but endorsed by a clerk as a letter of 14 Feb. from the president; addressed: “The Secretary of the Treasury.” Not recorded in SJL . This undated note is in response to Gallatin’s query at 11 Feb. (second letter). Gallatin forwarded TJ’s answer to...
119Enclosure: Memorandum on the Edward Stevens Claim, 19 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Doctr. Stevens having been sent by the preceding administration in 1798. to St. Domingo, with the Commission of Consul general, and also with authorities as an agent additional to his Consular powers, under a stipulation that his expences should be born; an account of these is now exhibited to the Secretary of state and the questions arise Whether the paiment can be authorised by the...
120From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 20 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Expecting that mr Madison & yourself would be able with a little discussion to make up an opinion on Dr. Stevens’s case , I had not given it any serious consideration. I have now however done so and I send you the result, asking the favor of you to make any observations to which you may think it open in matters of fact, inference, or omission. on receipt of these I will give it a final...
121From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 21 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you mr Nicholson’s letter because it is chiefly on private topics . the two charges against Banning, that he refused to let duties be bonded unless a bond not due were paid, and the neglecting to give such a certificate on cotton as might authorise a drawback, (when too a re-exportation was not, at the time, thought of) appear to be founded on single acts, not habitual practices. they...
122From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 22 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The papers you last sent me place Banning’s conduct in a more unfavorable point of view than those before communicated. about Davies we will converse the first time we meet. As to Doctr. Stevens’s case I am sure we shall ultimately come to a result in which we can all harmonise. whether in every case there be, or be not, an appeal from the Comptroller to the Secretary of the Treasury, & from...
123From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 26 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
You are so much the best judge of the propriety of adding 25. D. to the salary of the light housekeeper at New London that whatever you determine thereon I will approve. is a vault necessary to keep oil which is not to be eaten? usage must have settled this point. the building a wharf meerly to land their oil at would seem to be the fore horse of a very long team. how many places are there in...
124From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 6 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed paper got mislaid by accident so as to escape my earlier attention. I do not know how far the office of a director of the bank is compatible with mr Nourse’s official duties, or the general spirit of our laws. I leave it therefore altogether to your judgment, only observing that if these admit his acceptance, I believe the bank cannot associate to themselves an honester man. RC (...
125From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 10 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The appointment of Tucker Howland to be keeper of the Light house near Georgetown S.C. is approved RC ( DNA : RG 26, MLR ); addressed: “The Secretary of the Treasury”; with Gallatin’s note on address sheet to John Brown, a clerk: “Please to give immediate information both to him & to the Superintt. A.G.”; endorsed by a clerk. Not recorded in SJL . On 12 Mch., Gallatin signed letters to tucker...
126Enclosure: Memorandum on the Edward Stevens Claim, 23 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The constitution having provided that the President should appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls and all other officers which shall be established by law, the first Congress which met passed a law (1790. July 1.) authorising him to draw from the treasury 40,000. D. annually ‘for the support of such persons as he shall commission to serve the US. in foreign parts, & for the...
127From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 28 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I wrote to you on the administration of the foreign intercourse fund, I have deemed it necessary to take more detailed views of the laws on that subject & the practice under them. the papers I had preserved of what was done in Genl. Washington’s time enabled me to do it pretty fully, and the whole is stated on the paper inclosed. I have thought it best to communicate it to you that you...
128From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 15 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
According to the letter of mr Wagner inclosed in your’s of the 7th. inst. on the subject of the misnomer of the Inspector for Indian town. a commission should have been inclosed, but none came. neither of those letters mention either the real or mistaken name, nor does my memory help me to either, & I have no papers here which can recall the case to my mind. I can only observe generally...
129From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 15 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment recieved by express from the Govr. of Virginia the inclosed letter giving an account of a combination to injure the public by the fabrication & circulation of counterfiet notes of the branch banks of the US. as it alledges a cooperation of a person in trust in Washington, and an explosion of the confederacy will immediately follow the arrests here & in Kentucky, I doubt not...
130From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 17 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 12th. and have this day recommended to mr Madison to apprise Govr. Claiborne of the nullity of the charter for a bank granted by him, on the ground of it’s being opposed by a law of Congress, and that it should be revoked. I happened to be writing to Govr. Claiborne on another subject, & informally stated to him this also, in order to induce him to...
131From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 27 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you the papers concerning the duties payable in the Western ports, and consider the opinion you have given as a sound one. the case of the Louisiana squatters is a serious one from it’s magnitude, yet to be touched with a hand as careful as firm. a proclamation must doubtless precede any act of force. the cases may be analysed in the following gradation. 1. Squatters since notice of...
132From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 4 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved from mr Nicholas a letter in which is the following passage . ‘if mr Gallatin will write to mr Davis that he may resign, & send his letter, with a commission for me, under cover to my brother, I will be in Richmond on Friday or Saturday in the next week (the 11th. or 12th. inst.) and will go on from thence immediately for Norfolk. in a day or two my determination will be made....
133From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 30 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Altho’ I know that it is best generally to assign no reason for a removal from office, yet there are also times when the declaration of a principle is advantageous. such was the moment at which the New Haven letter appeared. it explained our principles to our friends, and they rallied to them. the public sentiment has taken a considerable stride since that, and seems to require that they...
134From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 1 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Briggs can tell me nothing of Fitzpatrick , and therefore I suspect we must have recourse to Shields to take the place of Turner. the uncertainty whether Benson can be found & will accept as Collector of Mobille, may render it worth while to listen to Thos. Smyth of Maryland who is known to mr Duval; but it is only in case you think the appointment at Mobile will not admit of uncertainty &...
135From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 8 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Being in the habit of filing in the proper offices all papers I recieve which are merely official, so as never to retain among my own any which ought to remain with the public, I send that of Govr Page & my answer to be filed in your office. applications for office, informations, &c. I suppose the writer would not wish to have recorded, and therefore I keep them as confidential. altho’...
136From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 9 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you give to the inclosed observations of mr Madison as early a perusal as you can? I have always been in hopes that you and he would by discussion come to a common opinion. I suppose however this has not taken place: and the views of our constitution in preferring a single Executive to a plurality having been to prevent the effect of divided opinions, and to ensure an unity of purpose and...
137From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 12 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I return your letter to Genl. Muhlenburg which is entirely proper, and the more I have reflected on the subject the more I am convinced the judge has the power to hold the parties to security for the good behavior & ought to do it. I send you also the recommendation of Tupper by judge Meigs and mr Mansfield. I think it much more probable that Walter Burling should have affirmed the identity...
138From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 14 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I return Russel’s letter respecting Tupper which I had put by among the papers relating to the characters of officers & applicants; but which probably relates to one who is neither.—I had supposed that Skinner’s commission if ordered now would not reach him till towards the last of the month and might even be dated July 1. the officer commanding at Fort Stoddert is Capt Peter P. Schuyler, of...
139From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 15 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your proposition to extend the hospital provisions to the ports of Portland, Portsmouth, Salem, Middle town, New Haven, Wilmington, Cambden & Washington is approved. I do not recollect whether hospital money has been made paiable on every voiage and at every port on the vessel’s entering it. if it is, every port would exactly maintain itself, if the number of sick are proportioned to the...
140From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 16 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the recommendations recieved when the Collectorship of Nanjemoy was formerly vacant. Brent’s connections place him on good ground but his politics & character merit enquiry. Jackson’s recommendations make him also worthy of enquiry. I wish Mason, D. C. Brent, Hanson & Kelty could give us his character instead of Genl. Mitchell’s who is only his recommender. will you avail...
141From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 19 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you Colo. Peyton’s opinion on the two candidates for Nanjemoy. Genl. Mason says Brent is one of the most worthy & amiable men in the world. he is afraid he is a little indolent. I return the papers in Hill’s case. at present there seems a convenience in permitting an union of the offices of Collector & Notary. should it produce abuse it will then be time enough to separate them....
142From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 26 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you the papers in the case of the Spanish ship which having put in in distress is condemned as un-seaworthy. I think it clear that the Xth. article of the Spanish treaty intended to provide for relading indifferently in any vessel, otherwise the case of wreck for which it was intended to provide would be left unprovided. but the legislative provision having been deemed more narrow, I...
143From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 27 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I do not know that we can better dispose of Belsches’s letter than by sending it to W. C. Nicholas , whose zeal & understanding will do what is best with it. what would you think of recommending application to the Chief Justice to bind the parties to good behavior ? or would it be better to send the letter at once to George Hay, who being with the Chief justice & other good lawyers, we may get...
144From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 3 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I know of nothing which ought to detain you in the city longer than the time you mention. I propose to-day to take an ultimate view of our instructions to our negociators in Spain, and chiefly to decide whether any later views, and particularly those from Baron Humboldt should occasion alterations of opinion in any point. within the course of the week we can agree as to the filling all...
145From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 12 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment been called on by mr Hoffman & mr Rapp on the subject which will be explained to you in the memorial now inclosed. they became sensible that the matter rested with Congress only; but 200. of the people being arrived at Baltimore and two ships hourly expected with as many more each, they cannot remain here till the meeting of Congress for want of funds. they will therefore...
146From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 29 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 12th. since that I have recieved yours of the 9th. 18th. & two of the 23d. and one from mr Duval of the 26th. I had before the last dates recieved a letter from Peter Freneau informing me that mr Neufville the father was dangerously ill, and solliciting the succession to his office for Isaac Neufville his son, who has in fact long done all the business of the office....
147From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 3 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your favor of July 26. and have this morning directed Commissions to issue to Philip Greene as Collector and Inspector of Marietta. the appointment of Rue I presume must await Hargrove’s resignation, as the cause suggested for his removal is altogether unfit to be scrutinised by us. Tupper’s politics being federal, if his appointment gives uneasiness, would not his...
148From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 7 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the letters of Bishp. Madison recommending Samuel Travis as mate of a revenue cutter vice Parish resigned, and mr Nicholas’s in concurrence. the young man called on me, seems to be about 24. or 25. is personally unknown to me, but his family well known. his father was a man of property, near Williamsburg, long a representative in the legislature, and a super-zealous republican...
149From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 8 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the application of Saml. Lewis to be the successor of De Kraft, which he has erroneously addressed to me. I believe you know him & his talents. they are certainly considerable as a draughtsman. I remember that on a former enquiry, I found there had been some allegations against him, which lessened his estimation. but probably you know more of this than I do. I expect your opinion...
150From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 23 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 16th. was recieved on the 21st. Dickerson’s delay of proceeding to N. Orleans will give us time. if Pinkney accepts the office of judge Robert Williams might be the Attorney; if Pinkney does not accept, or does not arrive in time (and a few days only must now decide the latter point) Williams must be the judge. Hall accepts as district judge. with respect to Neufville I am not...