11From Thomas Jefferson to John Marshall, 28 January [1797] (Jefferson Papers)
[In a letter of the 14th. inst. I] recieved [from the governor a resolution of the general assembly appointing a body of which I am named one, to correspond with certain Maryland Commissioners] on the dividing bounda[ries of the] two states. The periodical and long absences from the state which I must [incur, with the habitual state of my health] obliging me to avoid journies as much as...
12From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 28 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to acknolege the receipt of your favor of the 14th. inst. covering a resolution of the General assembly authorising myself and others to correspond with the commissioners of Maryland on the subject of the boundaries dividing the two states. The long and periodical absences from this state which I shall be obliged to incur, together with the habitual state of my health...
13To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 22 January 1797 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 8th. came to hand yesterday. I was not aware of any necessity of going on to Philadelphia immediately, yet I had determined to do it, as a mark of respect to the public, and to do away the doubts which have spread that I should consider the second office as beneath my acceptance. The journey indeed for the month of February is a tremendous undertaking for me, who have not been...
14From Thomas Jefferson to Enoch Edwards, 22 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I was yesterday gratified with the reciept of your favor of [Dec.] 27. which gave me the first information of your return from Europe. On the 28th. of Oct. I recieved a letter of July 30. from Colo. Monroe but did not know thro what channel it came. I should be glad to see the Defence of his conduct which you possess, tho no paper of that title is necessary for me. He was appointed to an...
15From Thomas Jefferson to John Langdon, 22 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Your friendly letter of the 2d. inst. never came to hand till yesterday, and I feel myself indebted for the sollicitude you therein express for my undertaking the office to which you inform me I am called. I know not from what source an idea has spread itself, which I have found to be generally spread, that I would accept the office of President of the US. but not of Vice President. When I...
16From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 22 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 8th. came to hand yesterday. I was not aware of any necessity of going on to Philadelphia immediately, yet I had determined to do it, as a mark of respect to the public, and to do away the doubts which have spread that I should consider the second office as beneath my acceptance. The journey indeed for the month of February is a tremendous undertaking for me, who have not been...
17From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 22 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 11th. came to hand yesterday. We are all well here. Anne’s cold still continues, tho it gives no fever nor other inconvenience. Maria is also well notwithstanding a tumble thro’ the floor into the cellar, from which she escaped miraculously without hurt. You ask for news, yet I think it impossible but you must get it from Richmond before you could from hence. The last Northern...
18From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 22 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your kind favor of the 4th. inst. and the eulogium it covered on the subject of our late invaluable friend Rittenhouse, and I perused it with the avidity and approbation which the matter and manner of every thing from your pen has long taught me to feel. I thank you too for your congratulations on the public call on me to undertake the 2d. office in the US. but still more...
19From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, 22 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
It seems probable that I shall be called on to preside in a legislative chamber. It is now so long since I have acted in the legislative line that I am entirely rusty in the Parliamentary rules of procedure. I know they have been more studied and are better known by you than by any man in America perhaps by any man living. I am in hopes that while enquiring into the subject you made notes on...
20From Thomas Jefferson to John Wickham, 20 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
You had a right to expect an earlier answer to your favor on the subject of my proportion of Mr. Wayles’s debt to Mr. Welch. Yet I have not been wrong in delaying it; because it was not till now that I could take so certain a view of my resources as would enable me to settle times and sums to your satisfaction as well as my own. The alternative you proposed was the same instalments allowed the...
21To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 16 January 1797 (Madison Papers)
The usual accidents of the winter, ice, floods, rains, have prevented the Orange post from coming to Charlottesville the last postday, so that we have nothing from Philadelphia the last week. I see however by the Richmond papers a probability that the choice of V. P. has fallen on me. I have written the inclosed letter therefore to mr. Tazewell as a private friend, and have left it open for...
22From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 16 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
The usual accidents of the winter, ice, floods, rains, have prevented the Orange post from coming to Charlottesville the last post-day, so that we have nothing from Philadelphia the last week. I see however by the Richmond papers a probability that the choice of V.P. has fallen on me. I have written the inclosed letter therefore to Mr. Tazewell as a private friend, and have left it open for...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Tazewell, 16 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
As far as the public papers are to be credited, I may suppose that the choice of Vice president has fallen on me. On this hypothesis I trouble you, and only pray, if it be wrong, that you will consider this letter as not written. I believe it belongs to the Senate to notify the V.P. of his election. I recollect to have heard that on the first election of President and Vice President gentlemen...
24From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 9 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 4th. inst. is duly recieved, and I rejoice that you got down without any accident from the cold, of which I had great apprehensions. The following is extracted from my diary to satisfy the wish you express to know what has been the degree of cold here. sunrise 3. P.M. sunrise Dec. 19. 50°. 48. Jan. 1. 30. 43 20. 19. 2. 28. 33 21.
25To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 8 January 1797 (Madison Papers)
Yours of Dec. 25. is safely recieved. I much fear the issue of the present dispositions of France & Spain. Whether it be in war or in the suppression of our commerce it will be very distressing and our commerce seems to be already sufficiently distressed through the wrongs of the belligerent nations and our own follies. It was impossible the bank & paper-manie should not produce great &...
26From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 8 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Dec. 25. is safely recieved. I much fear the issue of the present dispositions of France and Spain. Whether it be in war or in the suppression of our commerce it will be very distressing and our commerce seems to be already sufficiently distressed through the wrongs of the belligerent nations and our own follies. It was impossible the bank and paper-mania should not produce great and...
27From Thomas Jefferson to Volney, 8 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your two favors of Dec. 26. and 29. Your impatience to recieve your valise and it’s key was natural. And it is we who have been to blame; Mr. Randolph for not taking information of the vessel and address to which your valise was committed, and myself for having waited till I heard of your being again immerged into the land of newspapers before I forwarded your key. However...
28From Thomas Jefferson to Archibald Stuart, 4 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
In answer to your favor of Dec. 31. and to the question whether adviseable to address the President on the subject of war against France, I shall speak explicitly, because I know I may do it safely to you. Such is the popularity of the President that the people will support him in whatever he will do, or will not do, without appealing to their own reason or to any thing but their feelings...
29To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 1 January 1797 (Madison Papers)
Yours of Dec. 19. has come safely. The event of the election has never been a matter of doubt in my mind. I knew that the Eastern states were disciplined in the schools of their town meetings to sacrifice differences of opinion to the great object of operating in phalanx, and that the more free & moral agency practised in the other states would always make up the supplement of their weight....
30I. To James Madison, 1 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Dec. 19. has come safely. The event of the election has never been a matter of doubt in my mind. I knew that the Eastern states were disciplined in the schools of their town meetings to sacrifice differences of opinion to the great object of operating in phalanx, and that the more free and moral agency practised in the other states would always make up the supplement of their weight....
31II. Copy from Memory, 1 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Dec. 19. is safely recieved. I never entertained a doubt of the event of the election. I knew that the Eastern troops were trained in the schools of their town meetings to sacrifice little differences of opinion to the solid advantages of operating in Phalanx, and that the more free and moral agency of the other states would fully supply their deficiency. I had no expectation indeed...
32Memorandum on Farming Operations, [1796 or later] (Jefferson Papers)
Preliminary observation. My farms are divided into 7 fields of 40. acres [each?]. In the center of each field is a granary of 2. rooms of 12 1/2 f. sq. each [1000. […] contents] and an open passage between them of 12 sf. When there is wheat in the field, it is brought as fast as it is cut to this granary and stacked round it. The threshing machine is fixed in the passage, and as the wheat is...
33Notes on a Copying Process, [1796] (Jefferson Papers)
Un particulier de Hambourg dit avoir trouvé un procedé, pour prendre sur-le-champ à peu de frais, et en quelque endroit qu’on se trouve, copie de toute espece de manuscrit. Mais desirant tirer quelque profit de sa decouverte, il ne la communiquera qu’aux personnes qui voudront payer cette communication 24. francs. On peut dès à present deposer ou faire parvenir cette somme, franc de port, chez...
34Memorandum Books, 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 1. Gave my bond to Lucy Wood for £16. payable this day twelve month for the hire of James. Gave do. to Mrs. Wood guardian of Jane Wood for £15. for the hire of Dick. 4. Gave do. to Wm. Wood for 45.£ for Reuben, Bob & Patrick. Note these 3. bonds are to bear int. from the date if not paid at the day. 5. Mr. Buck begins to work. 11. Paid small exp. 2.8.
35To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 28 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
The public and the public papers have been much occupied lately, in placing us in point of opposition to each other. I trust with confidence that less of it has been felt by ourselves personally. In the retired canton where I am, I learn little of what is passing: pamphlets I see never: papers but a few; and the fewer the happier. Our latest intelligence from Philadelphia at present is of the...
36I. To John Adams, 28 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
The public and the public papers have been much occupied lately in placing us in a point of opposition to each other. I trust with confidence that less of it has been felt by ourselves personally. In the retired canton where I am, I learn little of what is passing: pamphlets I see never; papers but a few; and the fewer the happier. Our latest intelligence from Philadelphia at present is of the...
37II. Copy from Memory, 28 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
The public and the public papers have been much occupied lately in placing us in a point of opposition to each other. I confidently trust we have felt less of it ourselves. In the retired canton where I live we know little of what is passing. Pamphlets I see none: papers very few, and the fewer the happier. Our last information from Philada. is of the 16th. inst. At that date the issue of the...
38From Thomas Jefferson to Edward Rutledge, 27 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I am afraid of being a troublesome correspondent to you. I wish to obtain about 20. bushels of the Cowpea, a red field pea commonly cultivated with you, and a principal article for the subsistence of your farms, which we have not yet introduced. I understand it is always to be had at Charleston, ready barreled for exportation: and the favor I ask of you is to engage some merchant of Charleston...
39To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 17 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 5th. came to hand last night. The first wish of my heart was that you should have been proposed for the administration of the government. On your declining it I wish any body rather than myself: and there is nothing I so anxiously hope as that my name may come out either second or third. These would be indifferent to me; as the last would leave me at home the whole year, &...
40From Thomas Jefferson to John Garland Jefferson, 17 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
At the time your favor of Nov. 11 . came to hand I had not yet recieved an answer from Genl. Smith. It came some time after and I now inclose it to you. You will percieve that from a different construction of the same clause in the constitution in the superior and inferior courts, you would be refused in the former and admitted in the latter the first year. You would therefore not be merely...
41From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 17 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 5th. came to hand last night. The first wish of my heart was that you should have been proposed for the administration of the government. On your declining it I wish any body rather than myself: and there is nothing I so anxiously hope as that my name may come out either second or third. These would be indifferent to me; as the last would leave me at home the whole year, and...
42From Thomas Jefferson to Volney, [17 December] 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters of [July 12th.] from Gallipolis and of Aug. […] from Lexington were duly received, and [as I have seen?] by [the news]papers you have got no farther [than] […], and [must] go to Boston according to the plan announced in your last, I presume this letter with the key of your valise will be in Philadelphia before you. By Mr. Randolph (my son in law) who was going to Richmond early in...
43From Thomas Jefferson to John Barnes, 11 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a power of Attorney to recieve a quarter’s interest due on Mr. Short’s stock. Be pleased to place one hundred dollars of this to the credit of Mr. Peter Lott with you, and to hold the residue subject to my draughts which will be made shortly. I am Dear Sir Your most obedt. servt PrC ( CSmH ); at foot of text: “Mr. John Barnes”; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso.
44From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas A. Taylor, 11 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved your last favor requesting that Mr. Banks’s patents may be lodged with some friend in Richmond to facilitate his disposing of the lands. Mr. T. M. Randolph will leave this in about a week for Richmond. I will deliver them to him to be lodged with Mr. Hanson or otherwise disposed of as he shall direct. I wrote to Mr. Banks on this subject by the last post, but I did not then...
45Enclosure: Power of Attorney to John Barnes for William Short, 10 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Know all men by these presents that I Thomas Jefferson named in a certain letter of attorney from William Short of the state of Virginia, late one of the ministers of the US. abroad, to me, bearing date the 2d. day of April 1793. and now lodged in the bank of the US. by virtue of the power and authority thereby given me, do substitute and appoint John Barnes of Philadelphia as well my own as...
46From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Banks, 5 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Nov. 20. has come to hand. I should be perfectly willing to do any thing which would accomodate you as to the land mortgaged to me, if the matter depended on myself alone. But it is extremely delicate for me to take any step without the consent of Mr. Hanson . He is in your neighborhood, and if you will be pleased to consult him, I will forward the patents to him or to any other...
47From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 5 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
About the latter end of the last assembly I wrote to sollicit your endeavors to procure an act giving the character of citizens to Nicholas and Jacob Van Staphorst and Nicholas Hubbard merchants and bankers of Amsterdam. My letter got too late to your hands, and as you may not now have it with you I will state the subject again from the beginning. On the failure of the revolution attempted in...
48From Thomas Jefferson to John Barnes, 4 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
The advance of the cold season has now determined that my walls are not to be finished this year, and consequently not to be covered in. I shall have no occasion therefore to order any more sashes till the next spring. Those already made, to wit, 12. sets of trebles and 6. pair of doubles I shall be obliged to you to forward to Richmond to the care of Mr. Johnston, retaining the boxes of glass...
49From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Donath, 4 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved your favor of Oct. 19. and become sensible of the error in calculating the 180. panes as so many feet. It makes a difference, as I state it, of 20.D. 25c. which sum or whatever it may be Mr. Barnes will pay you on application in consequence of a letter I write him this day. With respect to the glass 14. by 12. instead of 12 I. square, I believe I must decline taking it, on...
50From Thomas Jefferson to Peter Carr, 28 November 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I sincerely congratulate you on the change which you expect shortly to make in your state of life. You may be assured in advance that the greatest source of human happiness is in the tender connubial connection of the two sexes. You have the better reason too to count on it from the character of the lady who unites her destiny with yours, and of whom fame has brought us so many good reports....
51From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 28 November 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
It is so cold that the freezing of the ink on the point of my pen renders it difficult to write. We have had the thermometer at 12°. My works are arrested in a state entirely unfinished, and I fear we shall not be able to resume them. Clarke has sold our wheat in Bedford for 8/6 and the rise to the 1st. of June, with some other modifications. It appears to be a good sale. He preferred it to...
52Deed of Mortgage of Slaves to Van Staphorst & Hubbard, 21 November 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
This deed made on the 21st. day of Nov. 1796. between Thomas Jefferson of Albemarle in Virginia on the one part and Nicholas Van Staphorst, Jacob Van Staphorst and Hubbard of Amsterdam in the United Netherlands merchants and partner. Witnesseth, that whereas the said Thomas hath conveyed by deeds of mortgage fifty seven negro slaves to William Short, fifty two other negro slaves to Henderson...
53From Thomas Jefferson to John Barnes, 13 November 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Your two favors of Sep. 25. and Oct. 15. are duly recieved. It will be proper to have the sashes painted on the outside. Within a fortnight from this time it will be determined whether the walls of my house can be finished this autumn, and consequently whether I shall have occasion to call for any more sashes (other than those before called for) before next spring. I shall then furnish you...
54From Thomas Jefferson to John Carey, 10 November 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Sep. 1. came to hand three […] [It] had been recieved in due time, but was not answered […] [it did] not appear to require it, and I am so [involved?] in agriculture that like other farmers, I put off all letter-writing to wet days. These being few in our climate, and when they come, the improvement of a plough or a drill or some other implement, usurping the turn, letter-writing...
55From Thomas Jefferson to John Stuart, 10 November 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the receipt of your last favor together with the bones of the Great-claw which accompanied it. My anxiety to obtain a thigh bone is such that I defer communicating what we have to the Philosophical society in the hope of adding that bone to the collection. We should then be able to fix the stature of the animal without going into conjecture and calculation as we should...
56From Thomas Jefferson to James Currie, 22 October 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
The return of Mr. Randolph’s servant affords me the first opportunity of informing you that I mentioned the subject you desired to the gentleman who was to call on me. He is intelligent and close, and has his suspicions always about him. I was obliged therefore to avoid any direct proposition or question, and only prepare him by declaring my opinion in such a way as to avoid suspicion. He has...
57From Thomas Jefferson to William Cocke, 21 October 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter you were so good as to [write me of late?] came duly to hand, and I always learn with great pleasure that I am recollected with approbation by those with whom I [have served]. Our acquaintance commenced on a troubled ocean. We braved the storm like good sailors, never despairing of our [courage]. My [bark] has at length entered port less shattered than I expected, and I wish not to...
58From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Smith Barton, 10 October 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors should have been sooner acknoleged but that I have been in daily expectation of recieving some other bones of the newly discovered animal which would have enabled me to write to you more satisfactorily. There does exist somewhere a thigh-bone which has been seen by many and is believed to be still in the neighborhood where found. This with the bones I have would enable me to give...
59From Thomas Jefferson to Bushrod Washington, 9 October 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I now inclose you the record in the case of Dickenson v. Paulett and Marks. Mr. Marks, by purchasing all Paulett’s right, stands completely in his shoes. His first wish is to obtain a confirmation of his right to the land. But if Dickenson notwithstanding his prevarications and delays of paiment shall be decreed to retain still an equitable right to the land on paying the purchase money, then,...
60From Thomas Jefferson to William Booker, 4 October 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this summer had a threshing machine made on the Scotch model, and have already got out a good part of my crop with it with great success. Hearing however that you had improved it by substituting whirls and bands for cogwheels and wallowers, I desired Colo. Coles to enquire whether your plan could be communicated. He did not see you, but Mr. Graham was kind enough to say I should have a...