28851To James Madison from Charles Pinckney, 14 June 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have lately recieved the private letter you did me the favor to write me & will whenever I have any thing that I think will be entertaining to You continue to write you privately—for the last few months I have been confined closely to Madrid & the Sitios owing to the violent putrid & malignant fever which raged in this City having among thousands of others attacked my family so violently...
28852To Thomas Jefferson from Gabriel Duvall, 16 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Upon examining the laws of Maryland I find that a foreigner can only hold lands in that part of the territory of Columbia which was formerly included within the State of Maryland. Any foreigner may by deed or Will take & hold lands in that part of the territory in the same manner as if he was a citizen, & the same lands may be conveyed by him, & transmitted to, & inherited by his kins &...
28853From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 7 September] 1802 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 6th. instant was duly brought by the last mail. I inclose under cover to Mr. Brent, the answers to the Merchts. of Boston & Philada., which if approved you will be so good as to seal & send on to him. I inclose also a letter from Mr. Brent to me, for the sake of the explanation it gives relative to the consulate at Nantz. If Mr. Grant should not go, it is to be recollected that...
28854To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 5 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a letter from the collector of Boston, in which he recommends the appointment of an additional mate for the revenue cutter. The present establishment is a master & a mate. From Mr Lincoln recommending the measure, I have no doubt of its propriety and beg leave to submit the same to your consideration. I have the honor to be very respectfully Sir Your obedt. Servt....
28855To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 24 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
The question of war yet remains undetermined my letters from Mr. King of the 18th lead me to believe as well as my persuasion of the present System of politicks in England that war will come Soon. Here there is an earnest & Sincere desire to avoid it as well in the Government as the people. I enclosed in my last a note to the Minister. Some days after I called upon him & he told me an answer...
28856From Thomas Jefferson to Little Bear, 31 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I will now give a separate answer to the speech which you delivered to me separately. the Secretary at War has explained to you our assent to the exchange of lands which you propose with a particular individual, and this shall be put into writing. He has also explained to you the difficulties we find in getting smiths & carpenters, who are honest & capable men, to go & live among you, & that...
28857To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Dearborn, 12 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of proposing for your approbation William Clark to be appointed Brigadier General of the Militia of the Territory of Louisiana. Accept Sir, assurances of my high respect & consideration PHi : Daniel Parker Papers.
28858To Thomas Jefferson from Michael Fortune, 3 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Some time, in last May, I had the honor of inclosing you , the first Copy of my Song entitled “The Acquisition of Louisiana,” which was intended to express the Sentiment of a Nation respecting their Chief Magistrate, on the great event of acquiring Louisiana.—As I am anxious to know whether you have received it, permit me, Sir, to request the favor of a Line on the occasion.— with the most...
28859From Thomas Jefferson to the General Assembly of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, 26 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I return my grateful thanks to the General assembly of the state of Rhode island & Providence plantations for the congratulations which, on behalf of themselves & their constituents, they have been pleased to express on my election to the chief magistracy of the United States: and I learn with pleasure their approbation of the principles declared by me on that occasion; principles which flowed...
28860From Thomas Jefferson to John le Tellier, 26 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Le Tellier is desired to make for the President’s house two silver terrines, of the ordinary size, and of the form numbered 1505. on the drawing sent, being the uppermost of the two forms on the paper, and when done to pack them so securely that they cannot suffer by being brought in the stage, & to deliver them to messrs. Gibson & Jefferson, who will in the mean time advance to him the...
28861From Thomas Jefferson to Dabney Carr, 12 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I was about this time to have remitted to you for Craven Peyton £40. it will not be in my power to do it under three weeks; say the first week in December. it shall then be remitted without fail. Accept affectionate salutations PoC ( ViU ); endorsed by TJ. remitted to you : in his financial memoranda, TJ recorded at 10 Dec. his enclosure of $135 to Carr for Craven Peyton ( MB James A. Bear,...
28862From James Madison to Armand Duplantier, 2 June 1805 (Madison Papers)
You are probably not ignorant that an Act of Congress has conferred on General Fayette a grant of land amounting to between 11 & 12 thousand Acres, and that the locations of it in tracts not less than 1000 acres each, are authorized in the Orleans territory. The friendship which has long subsisted between the Genl. & myself has led him to transmit me his power of attorney to obtain the...
28863From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Bailey, 10 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved lately from France a few grains of a wheat with a solid stem. as from this circumstance it will probably be proof against the Hessian fly I am dividing it among those who I think will take care of it. I send you a few grains, as also some seed of a cabbage said to grow 7. feet high, to put on several heads & reproduce them when cut off. this seems wonderful, but is worth seeing...
28864Notes on a Cabinet Meeting, 8 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Nov. 8. present the 4. heads of department. agreed on instructions to Genl. Wilkinson which see. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
28865To Thomas Jefferson from Pseudonym: "Incog", 16 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Deign to permit one of you best friends to address you. And may it please your excellency to peruse with patience what my humble pen can offer to the perusal of his country’s head. Urged by no one, and none ever suspecting, I venture to address you, knowing that your ear is open to the cries of the meanest of your countrymen. As I lay one night in bed, meditating on the effects of that...
28866To Thomas Jefferson from Brockholst Livingston, 2 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to have the honor of introducing to your notice Mr. William Cutting who is on a visit to Washington—This gentleman belongs to our bar—he is an amiable & deserving young man—highly esteemed among us, & a sincere & valuable friend of the present administration— With great respect I have the honor to be Sir, your very obedt Servt RC ( MHi ); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President...
28867To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Dearborn, 1 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of proposing for your approbation George Bumford, Joseph G. Totten & William McKee Cadets, to be appointed Second Lieutenants in the Corps of Engineers Accept Sir the assurances of my high respect & consideration July 1. 05. Approved PHi : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
28868To James Madison from Stephen Cathalan Jr., 27 July 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 July 1804, Marseilles. “My last respects are dated the 14th. June ulto. Since, I have forwarded a packet from the united States Consulate at Tunis, to your address, under Cover of Willm. Lee Esqr. at Bordeaux. “I have the honor of remitting you herein inclosed, the lists of the American Merchant Vessells entered into the ports of my District and Cleared from the 1st. January of the Present...
28869From Thomas Jefferson to John E. Rigden, 12 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 7th. inst. has been duly recieved. I cannot but think with you that your workman in London must have failed to give any credit for the superfluous gold in converting a double case of my daughter’s watch into a single one. I think it probable that the single case does not weigh more than half of the two former cases, and should suppose one half the gold a good price for...
28870To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 12 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose you a draught of a cavern lately discovered in Virginia. It was sent to me by Dr. William Boys of Staunton with a request that I would present it to you. Dr. Boys graduated with me. He was formerly of Penna. where the family all remain except himself. They were all whigs, but Dr. Boys married a Miss St. Clair of Staunton Virginia, whose father was a tory & who has for some time...
28871From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate, 31 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Since nominating to the Senate on the 25th. instant the officers who are to be transferred or promoted under the act fixing the military peace establishment of the US. I have recieved information which renders it proper that I should revoke the nominations then made of Richard Greaton and Campbell Smith captains, and of Thomas Blackburne Lieutenant. And I now nominate John Whistler heretofore...
28872To James Madison from Daniel Clark, 14 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have this Morning seen the Papers mentioned in my Letter of Yesterday, they are positive not to deliver any thing more to France than what was possessed by Spain East of the Mississippi, when Great Britain possessed West Florida, it not being as the Minister expresses himself, his Majesties intention to surrender to the French any Country that was not received of them, and by all means to...
28873From Thomas Jefferson to John Hollins, 23 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your friendly letter of the 21st. being determined that no act of mine, which may be avoided, shall give countenance for clamour to the enemies of the government, or trouble to it’s friends for justification, the sentence on the cotton seed is irrevocable. in answer to your enquiries I will observe that it is usually planted in May, and that the seed being very full of...
28874To Thomas Jefferson from James Kearney, 9 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Beckley’s death having made vacant the place of the Librarian to Congress, I presume to apply for it; and I do so with the greater confidence of propriety, from a hope that the information I necessarily have acquired of the affairs of the Library, in consequence of my attendance as the deputy of the late Librarian, added to a professional education, may be considered as some proof of my...
28875From Thomas Jefferson to Ferdinando Fairfax, 13 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your former letter proposing to sell to the public some accomodations for iron works having been referred to the department to which it belonged, I had taken for granted it had been answered in time. some accident probably prevented it. but our principle on that subject is that it is better for the public to procure at the common market whatever the market can supply: because there it is by...
28876To Alexander Hamilton from William Constable, 30 November 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
I have conversed with Mr G M since I had the Pleasure of seeing you relative to my being authorized to settle the Lands contained in the Deed of Trust. He sees no possible Objection to my having such Authority, the Money & Bonds received being paid over for the Use of the Lenders & will execute any Thing that you will order made out for the Purpose. May I request that you will direct Mr Ogden...
28877To Thomas Jefferson from Arthur St. Clair, 22 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have taken the liberty to enclose to you a copper Coin that was found about a year ago near to the little Miami River, and thirty five miles above its confluence with the Ohio. The manner in which it was found was this:—A person, in opening a Spring of Water, had sunk about four feet in the earth, and the next day, as his Children were playing about the Spring, one of them picked up the...
28878To James Madison from Jacob Wagner, 10 August 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose to you several public and private letters. Those of importance among the former, are from Mr. Lear, Mr. King and Mr. Thornton. I also received a letter from Mr. Savage, the Agent for seamen at Jamaica, in which he says, that a number of seamen have lately been discharged and that his certificates are respected, on which account he suggests, that the Masters of our...
28879To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Crockett, 15 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The cession of Louisiana to the united States, I expect will make it Necessary for a collector of the revenue to be appointed at the port of New Orleans: If so I would beg leave to inform you Sir, Mr. George Madison of Frankfort, wishes to be considered a candidate for that Office. I have been well acquainted with Mr Madison ever since a small boy his character is equal to any for honesty and...
28880From Thomas Jefferson to François-André Michaux, 15 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
On the reciept of your letter of Aug. 1. I inclosed it to the Secretary of State with a request that he would direct the papers you desired to be made out and forwarded to you. lest however this should be omitted at the office, it will not be amiss that you should drop a line to mr Madison if the papers do not come to you. according to our regulations the captain is at liberty to take...
28881To James Madison from John Rowan, 21 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
The territory of Illinois having been lately erected I take the liberty of recommending the Honorable John Boyle as a Suitable Person to be Appointed Governor of that Territory. I have had the pleasure of an intimate acquaintance with Mr. Boyle for Several years. He has in a very high degree those Attributes of head and heart which constitute the principal qualifications for a Station so high...
28882To Thomas Jefferson from Stephen Cathalan, Jr., 24 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of advising you, that I have this day valued on you in my Bill of Exchange for $87.10 cts. Say Eighty Seven Dollars & ten Cents unto Mr. William Hazard, or order payable at Sight, at the Exchange of F5. 35/100 ⅌ Dollar making Francs — F.466. being the amount of the Sundry Provisions I sent you, by your order per the Ship Fabius Captn. Andrew Cole, bound for Philadelphia as per...
28883To James Madison from John M. Pintard, 3 December 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 December 1802, Richmond. From his conversation with JM “a few weeks Scince, at Washington,” was led to believe “that a Successor to me as Consul for Madeira, will Shortly be appointed; Under the Impression, that I, myself, have abdicated the Place.” Is not conscious of having given any reason for such an inference, but rather he “expressly Requested” JM and the president to continue him in...
28884From Thomas Jefferson to George Hay, 7 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Understanding that it is thought important that a letter of Nov. 12. 1806. from General Wilkinson to myself, should be produced in evidence on the charges against Aaron Burr depending in the District court now sitting in Richmond, I send you a copy of it, omitting only certain passages the nature of which is explained in the certificate subjoined to the letter. as the Attorney for the United...
28885From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 1 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Decide according to your own & mrs Gallatin’s inclinations on the time and extent of your absence from hence. I sincerely sympathize with you on the circumstances which produce the necessity. I leave this myself on Thursday, and shall stay at home one fortnight. mr Madison goes about the 11th. as I learn and will return a little after me. I wish to write finally to mr Page on the subject of...
28886To James Madison from Andrew Ellicott, 20 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 May 1803, Lancaster . “I have enclosed a packet for our Minister Mr. Livingston at Paris. It contains a communication consisting principally of Astronomical observations for Mr. De Lambre one of the secretaries of the National Institute of France. I should not have troubled Mr. Livingston with it, had he not been so obliging as to request that he might be made the channel thro which my...
28887To James Madison from Winthrop Sargent, 10 June 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 June 1801. Intends, after arriving in Boston, to send JM “such Vouchers for the Propriety of his public Conduct in civil and military Life as shall bring fullest conviction to the mind of the President that where and when he has been censured there have been— there are , no grounds even for Complaint, & that malice and self Interest strongly mark the Character of his base Calumniators.”...
28888From Thomas Jefferson to Nathaniel Alexander, 22 May 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Having, on recommendations from the Senators & Delegates of your state made two appointments of Marshal, both of which have been declined and apprehending a delay which might be injurious to the state were I to continue nominating without a previous knolege that the party would accept, I take the liberty of inclosing you a blank commission, and of asking the favor of you to insert in it the...
28889To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Dearborn, 23 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Having attentively perused the remarks you honourd me with on the subject of Indian lands, I take the liberty of submitting the following observations. We ought undoubtedly to imbrace the earliest opportunity for meeting the present overtures of the Chocktaws, and of securing an additional session as contemplated in your remarks, if practicable on reasonable terms.— The establishment of houses...
28890From Alexander Hamilton to Peter Gerard Stuyvesant, [26 June 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
I should like to see you on the subject of a poor fellow Peter Dunken who says, you have been employed for him & appears unfortunate which is his title to my attention. Yrs. truly ALS , The Rutherford B. Hayes Library, Fremont, Ohio; copy, Columbia University Libraries. Stuyvesant was a New York City landowner. On February 17, 1841, Stuyvesant wrote to John Church Hamilton: “Near forty years...
28891To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Stutson, 28 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The unwarrantable Freedom which I now take, in the very singular, (and prehaps unprecedented) method of addressing You, tho’ in the most exalted station, which a Grateful and magnanimous people can place you—I humbly desire you to forgive,—nor can I doubt of the generous readiness, with which your complyance, will honour the urgent request, and especially when the cause of this application,...
28892From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Bentley, 29 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved safely by Genl. Dearborne the specimens you were so kind as to send me, of a hortus siccus by mr Crownenshield, and of drawings with the pen by miss Crownenshield, the relations of my late friend, and the excessive pressure of business, during a session of Congress, must be my apology for this late acknolegement. I have certainly never seen any thing, in either way, equally perfect,...
28893From James Madison to the Marqués de Someruelos, 5 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
For some time past the commerce of the United States has been greatly harrassed by certain irregular cruizers, under the French Flag, who have made use of the ports of the Island over which your Excellency presides as stations from which to cruize, and places of safety for the reception and sale of their prizes. Among the complaints which the Citizens of the United States have addressed to...
28894To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Dearborn, 23 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I find some embarrassment in relations to the proposed examination of Diggs point, Col Williams cannot consent to have any intercourse with Mr. Diggs, he states as an undoubted fact, that Mr. Diggs was intrusted with conciderable sums of money by Doctr. Franklin, for the express purpose of relieving our prisoners in England, and that Diggs applied the money to his own use, and gave no relief...
28895To James Madison from William W. Hening, 5 February 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 February 1803, Charlottesville. Returns his commission of bankruptcy. Has been consulted as a lawyer in every bankruptcy case occurring in “this part of the state” and believes it incompatible with the functions of a bankruptcy commissioner to exercise the duties of a lawyer in the same case. RC ( DNA : RG 59, LRD ). 1 p. Docketed by Jefferson. The enclosure is Hening’s 17 June 1802...
28896To Thomas Jefferson from William Thomson, 7 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The letters of your excellency this day received, has induced me to transmit, my little work, I have to solicit, your indulgence for innumerable errors. Buried in obscurity I prefer it to a sacrifice, of the principles, I have cherished through life—My language in some instances has been too acrimonious for men “whose timid souls, shrink from the avowal of truth in the words of sincerity and...
28897Memorandum from Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 17 July] 1801 (Madison Papers)
It is objected that the act of Congress Mar. 3. 1800. c. 14. sect. 1. 2. entitles a citizen owner of a vessel to restitution until the vessel has been condemned by competent authority on paying salvage to the captor. Every man, by the law of nature, and every fellow citizen by compact, is bound to assist another against violence to his person or property. Tho’ therefore by the law of nature...
28898To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 10 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 5th. Instant I left the City and passed up on the East side of the Mississippi.—It is only Six months, since I last visited this vicinity, and I discover evidences (within that period) of considerable improvement. Several new Buildings are complited; others repaired, and the fields extended, and laid out with more regularity and taste.— My first day’s travel was only 8 miles to—the...
28899To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 23 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
During the late War between England & France—England levied a Convoy Duty of ½ ⅌C: on Goods exported from G.B. to any Port in Europe & One ⅌C: to all other Countries—for which difference there was some pretext—Neutrals as well as National Ships were Charged therewith—On the Peace this Convoy Duty was Changed to a Duty on Export, and the U.S. were thus subjected to double the Duty paid by other...
28900To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 21 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I took the liberty of inclosing to you about ten days ago a farther representation, and some documents on the subject of John Moss, now in the penitentiary, under a sentence of the circuit court of the United States. Not knowing, whether my letter has reached your hands, I am induced to request, that your pleasure upon the application for the remission of the corporal punishment may be...