1Enclosure: Extract of Robert R. Livingston to Andrew Ellicott, 19 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
“The fact of the fall of stones from the sky, having been put, by some late inquiries almost beyond a doubt the philosophers are now disputing whether they are generated in the atmosphere or whether we owe them to volcanic eruptions in the moon, as much remains to be said on both sides; prudent men have not yet thought proper to pronounce judgment.—But it may be new to you to learn that while...
2To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 21 March 1801 (Jay Papers)
THE Chief Justice having transmitted to me a copy of your letter of the 18th instant, addressed to the Chancellor, Chief Justice and Judges of the Supreme Court, on the subject of a difference of sentiments that prevails between your Excellency and the other members of the Council of Appointment, I regret that my distance and the state of my health does not permit me to consult the Judges of...
3II. Recipient’s Copy (Jefferson Papers)
I have delayed answering your friendly letter by madame Brogniard in the hope of having some thing important to communicate but in the mean time have been so full in my letters to the secretary of State that I have left myself little to say on the subject of our publick affairs. I can only tell you generally that I have been gaining ground for some time past & some propositions I had an...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 20 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Knowing that you find leasure amidst the bustle of politicks to amuse yourself with less important, but more pleasing studies, I have taken the liberty to send you the 3d Vol: of the proceedings of the society for agriculture & useful arts in this State. The first parts, I beleive I have had the honor to send you some years ago, if not, be so obliging as to let me know, & they shall be...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 6 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I feel myself extremely obliged by your favor of Sepr. not only on account of the friendly wishes it contains but because of the elucidation that it affords to your former communications on that very interesting subject the rights of commerce. Your arguments leave no doubt of the principles you endeavour to establish, it is however much to be lamented that the favourable moment for...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 11 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
After my return home I made search among my papers for the catalogue of Pougens that you expressed a wish to have, & I was so fortunate as to find it. I send it with this. I mentioned to Mr Madison, in some of my letters, that there was a ballance in the hands of the bankers on the book account, which stood to my credit. I find by looking over their letters, that this ballance is fr. 1236.7....
7To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 26 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I sent my letters to the secretary some days ago by the way of Havre. I am in hopes that the ship that takes them may not yet have sailed. as I wish to congratulate you on your being elected a member of the national institute tho not without opposition. Ct Rumfort who has just left this was warmly supported. It gives me pleasure to find the number of friends that you have among the literary &...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 26 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
You will receive by this conveyance the ratification of our treaties. I shall feel some anxiety considering how much we have taken upon ourselves beyond our powers to learn that this transaction meets your approbation. Here every body is loud in its commendation & we are supposed to have made a more important acquisition for our country than the purchase of Germany would be for france. Since...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 2 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Having just heard of a vessel going from Havre I give you this hasty letter merely to inform you that it is now understood that war is inevitable & that within a few days. Yesterday I presented Mr. Monroe to the first consul at his levee where he publicly declared that the terms demanded by Britain were totally inadmissable. Lord Wetworth did not attend the Levee & this day has asked his...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 14 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I am just favoured by your note without date covering two letters for Paris . I conclude from this circumstance that you have recd advices of the ratification of the treaty, & have determined upon my departure. but I have yet heard nothing on the subject from the Secretary of State. I presume however that the next post will bring me my commission & instructions, immediatly after which I will...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 28 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed packet marked No 1, was written at the time it is dated—The subject of it is very painful to me, & I have retained it for the reasons mentioned in the enclosed letters No. 1 & 2—by which I trust it will appear how much I sacrificed both of my rights, & my feelings, to prevent this matter from causing you, or the connections of Mr. Sumter any uneasiness—I continued to act with Mr....
12To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 16 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The delay that your favor of the 24th feby had met with induced me to write an hasty answer on the 12th. instant (the moment it came to hand) as the post was then going out. It appearing by the way bill that some free letters directed to Clermont had miscarried in their passage from New York least mine to you should have met the same fate I think it proper to repeat my grateful acknowledgments...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 2 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Monroe having undertaken to write our Joint letter on the subject of Louisiana I should confine mine to the Secretary of State to objects that relate only to my individual Department, but I must communicate to you in the utmost confidence a circumstance that has just come to my knowledge & that must be known only to yourself & Mr Madisson because it will influence your measures.— You know...
14I. Recipient’s Copy (Jefferson Papers)
I have delayed replying to your friendly letter by Madame Brougniart in the hope of having something important to communicate, but in the mean time have been so full in my letter to the Secretary of State that I have left myself little to say on the Subject of our publick affairs—I can only tell you generally that we have been gaining ground here for sometime past & some propositions I had an...
15III. Extract, after 18 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have delayed replying to your friendly letter by Madam Brougniart, in the hope of having something important to communicate; but, in the mean time, have been so full in my letter to the Secretary of State that I have left myself little to say on the subject of my public affairs. I can only tell you, generally, that we have been gaining ground here for some time past; and altho some...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 17 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I not long since did myself the honor to inform you of the discovery of some bones near the surface of the earth in the Western parts of this State. of these I have as yet been able to obtain no description. by the polite attention however of Judge Williamson I have in my possession three very remarkable teeth which are evidently the dentis incisores of some enormous carnivourous animal. two...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 26 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Not knowing whether an agricultural Society is still in existence in Pennsylvania, I have chosen to adress this to you to whose Institution no useful discovery is foreign— I had heard here that the ashes of Pyrites were used as a manure, but I could meet with no satisfactory information on the subject till in a little excursion that I made lately into Flanders I was enabled to see the process...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 2 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The fear of intruding upon the few hours you can spare to rural occupations, & philosophic retirment has prevented my replying to your favor till your return to Washington, where I am told that this will find you. The character you give of Mr. Sumpter will doubtless render him an acquisition to the public, & in theory, the appointment of the secretary to the legation seems an adviseable...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 11 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Having very latly writen to you this is merely to inform you that our mutual friend Mr. Skipwith being now the father of a family is desirous of removing to Louisiana. His knowledge of the french language the religion of his family & his amiable manner fit him in a peculiar manner for conciliating the affections of the people of that country to our government, and should you distribute that...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 22 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I was a few days ago honoured by your letter of the 16th. March. I called on the minister the next day & made him the communications you wished. Mr Otto is not yet returned from Great Britain & it seems still a matter of uncertainty who is to replace him or who is to come from thence to Paris Lord Wetworth not being yet appointed. A number of persons are talked of here for England among the...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 12 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment only received your favor the 24 Feby. It lay some days in the post Office at New York, from whence it was sent to Clermont & at last followed me to Albany. I hasten to express my gratitude for your frequent attentions to me. I had determined to take upon me no new Office, but to endeavour to promote your interest, which I believed to be intimatly connected with that of my...
22To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 14 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Monroe delivered me your very friendly Letter of the 3d. of Feby. the night before last immediately upon his arrival here—I wish it was in my power to give a more full answer to it, than the hurry of the present moment affords me. For the last three weeks I have been in continual agitation, the days were to the last degree important. It was necessary to seek information thro’ every...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 29 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I avail myself of Mr. DeLaBegarre’s going to Washington to send you the teeth found in the western part of this state, drawings of which, I had before done myself the honor to transmit to you. May they not have belonged to the hippopotamus? The front teeth of that animal in the lower jaw being described “as projecting, furrowed & pointed, & as formed rather to tear than cut.” Fab: Columna ....
24To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 4 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry so soon after my arrival here to trouble you with any thing that relates personally to myself, & which I fear will be not less painful to you, than it has been to me. From Mr. Sumter’s first entrance into my family I have treated him with all the attention in my power, I have (as far as he would permit me) introduced him wherever I visited myself, & have extended indulgencies to him...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 10 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I some time since had the honor to write to you on the subject of some of the appointments in New York on which you had requested my opinion. I apprehended from what you then said, that Bailey had voluntarily withdrawn , which I now find is not the case but that he still retains some expectations of the office, & is supported in his pretentions by Armstrong. which renders what I now have to...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, [4 June 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
The Chancellor Livingston has read with great pleasure the observations of the president on neutral rights—Mr. Livingston is perfectly satisfied that they are founded in reason & justice, & should as such form the Law of nations, for nothing is more absurd than that the quarels of others shd affect the right of peaceable nations—The extention which their adoption would give to the commerce of...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 28 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Nothing very important having occured for some time past I have not thought it necessary to trouble you, particularly as I conclude that you would for a time have quited the seat of government & sought repose from the fatigues of politicks. While the union between France & Russia subsists, the discontents which almost every nation in Europe feels to the extreme loftiness of the first, will be...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 6 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recd your favor of the 16th. ult. just as I was leaving New York for this place which has delayed till now my acknowledging the distinguished attention you have shewn me in procuring for me the honor of a place among the American philosophers. The moment you chose for doing has not a little encreased the obligation, since it was one in which the whole American world (except the man who...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 31 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
My line of law reading has for twenty Years past been confined to civil cases arising in the Court of Chancery only. This must be my appology, if in replying to your questions I should be found in the wrong. In Answer to the first It is true that many of the whig Lawyers have been of opinion that truth cannot be a libel, & this was strenuously maintained by Lord Camden against Lord Mansfield ....
30To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 11 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have before me your favors of the 4th & 9th of November, I do not know whether to be glad or sorrey that the marriage has not taken effect, it might possibly have given offence, it might also have been made productive of some advantage. speaking confidentialy with one of the ministers on the subject he inquired particularly about the probable fortune of the lady I told him that notwthstdg...
31To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 5 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Livingston has the honor to inform the president, that in his opinion the writers of the enclosed have no such political weight or information as should in any sort influence the presidents own sentiments on public measures. They are weak men who have in this instance been probably the dupes of some that are more artful . Mr. Livingston had the honor to state yesterday what he truly...
32To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 6 September 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have little to add to the letter of which I Send duplicates the absence of the First Consul & Minister, has Suspended all business, & I availed myself of the circumstance to make a tour in France, not chusing to go to England least any thing Should turn up that would require my attention, & particularly the return of the ratification which we are impatiently looking for. The decree of which...
33To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 24 January 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have just now heard of an opportunity from Havre. I am doubtful whether my letter will arrive in time for it. I therefore confine myself to inform you that Genl Bernadotte is named Minister to the United States in the place of Otto who will be employed here. Genl Bernadotte is brother in law to joseph Bonaparte & is a very respectable man & has the character of a decided Republican. I have...
34To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 26 December 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have received quadruplicates and Triplicates of your favor of the 6th October; the First & Second not having yet reached me previous to the receipt of that letter, I had receivd two from Mr Pichon, covering letters to the Minister for Exterior Relations. In one of those he explains only Shortly the nature of his communications to the Minister: This was the first intimation that I had...
35To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 5 February 1803 (Madison Papers)
Not knowing where to direct the enclosed I submit to your care. The bearer of this to Nantes waits so that I can write you nothing but that the Loussiana [ sic ] armament is still ice bound. The floridas not yet ceded owing I believe to some difficulty about parma & the solicitude of the Emperor of Russia to provide for the King of Sardinia. Spain is however prepared to make the cession & I...
36To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 26 February 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have written to you by the way of havre & by that conveyance you will receive packets &c. but as I would wish to omit no opportunit[y] I send this to L’Orient from whence I am told that a vessel is about to sail for Norfolk. You will find by the notes I sent you at different times that the administration here preserve the most absolute silence as to every point on which I press them & I am...
37To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 22 March 1807 (Madison Papers)
Knowing your engagements during the session of Congress, I have not thought it proper to break in upon your time by an earlier answer to your favor of the 28 Janry. The enclosed note you will have the goodness to read, & deliver to the auditor, as it contains the only explanation I can at present give to his inquiries. I sincerely congratulate you upon the total defeat of Mr. Burrs plans, for...
38To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 8 August 1804 (Madison Papers)
Nothing extraordinary has occurred Since my last, a duplicate of which you will receive with this, as I find Some errors in the copy Sent you; if you have received it, be pleased to correct it by the duplicate: I had Strong hopes while in England that a change of Ministry would take place, in which case we Should doubtless have had peace; at present, Mr Pitt appears to be able to Stand his...
39To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 11 November 1802 (Madison Papers)
After writing mine of this date I called on the Minister & Insisted on Some positive answer to my notes, he told me that he was expressly instructed by the first Consul to give me the most positive assurances that the Treaties we had entered into with Spain, or them relative to Louisiana Should be Strictly observed, when I expressed my Surprise that their officers should not be informed on...
40To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 19 August 1802 (Madison Papers)
I write in haste in hopes that this may overtake Mr. Lyle and correct an error in my last. Notwithstanding the appointment of Genl Victor & several other officers for Louisiana, among others a Compt[r]oller of the forests, no Prefet is yet appointed—nor is the difference relative to the Floridas settled. Spain insists that they are not ceded and I have certain information that two days ago the...
41To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 12 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have only to add to my last that as I conjectured the Consul has rejected the continuance of his term for ten yrs Upon the ground of his having recd his office from the people they only can add to it. The Council of State have in consequence referred it to the people to determine not whether he shall be consul for ten years but for life. This business creates not the least sensation here Nor...
42To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 12 July 1808 (Madison Papers)
I take the Liberty to enclose a letter to Genl. Armstrong, containing letters to my sister, & my children, which I pray you to have the goodness to forward. My extreme anxiety to let my Children hear from me, & to have them home again, must be my appology for the trouble I give you since I find that none of my letters by the Ossage reached their destination, except that which you had the...
43To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 2 November 1802 (Madison Papers)
Nothing very important relative to our affairs having intervened for Some time past I have not thought necessary to trouble you. The affair of our debts Stand exactly as they did upon vague promises on the part of the Minister which I have little expectation of Seeing Soon fulfilled & indeed Some confidential people have taken occasion to Say in Such a way as they know I Should hear that they...
44To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 13 April 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have just come from the Minister of the Treasury our conversation was So important that I think it necessary to write it while the impressions are Strong upon my mind, & the rather as I fear that I Shall not have time to copy & Send this letter if I differ [ sic ] it till morning. By my letter of yesterday you learned that the Minister had asked me on the 11th whether I would agree to...
45To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 10 October 1805 (Madison Papers)
I received on the fifth Inst your favor of the ⟨2⟩;8th. Septr. I began immediately to unpack my papers and have been since employed in examining them, this took ⟨s⟩;ome time, as they were all unsorted & put into a trunk for the convenience of transportation. I can find none of the papers you refer to. It was my practice in all ship cases t⟨o⟩; put the papers into the hands of Mr. Skipwith for...
46To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 1 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
I yesterday made several propositions to the Minister on the subject of Louisiana. He told me frankly that every offer was premature, that the French Government had determined to take possession first—so that you must consider the business as absolutely determined on. The armament is what I have already mentioned and will be ready in about six weeks. I have every reason to believe the Floridas...
47To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 30 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed notes will Shew that the arreté mentioned in mine of June last, continues to operate as I had expected. We have three vessels now here that are neither Suffered to unload or depart. Sweden & Denmark have a dozen in Similar circumstances. The absence of the Minister having prevented my receiving any answer to my notes, I wrote the enclosed letter to the Consul Cambacerès who...
48To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 30 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
Next to the pleasure of paying my respects to the President, & seeing my friends, my object in Visiting this place was to receive your instructions, & any information you may think it proper to afford me on the subject of my mission, as well as to assertain the time & manner of my departure, that I may make my domestic arrangments accord with them. I will do myself the honor to wait upon you...
49To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 2 November 1803 (Madison Papers)
I told you in my last that a coolness Subsisted between the First Consul & Count Marcoff the Minister of Russia, But that it was rather a personal dislike than any thing that led immediately to a rupture between the two Courts. [Mar]cof has never much liked the present order of things and has sometimes too freely spoken his opinion of them in this country it is difficult to say anything which...
50To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 8 June 1802 (Madison Papers)
Enclosed is the answer of the Spanish ambassadour to my letter a copy of which was forwarded on the 28 ult. It accords with the conclusions I drew from the delay of the expedition & the conduct of the Minister for exterior relations. I have had a conversation with Collot & Adet separatly I find that tho they both consider their going in official characters to Louisiania as settled yet that...