2901From Thomas Jefferson to Étienne Lemaire, 13 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Monro has no funds in his hands which the law allows to be applied to any object about the President’s house: consequently all necessary repairs must now be made at my expence. that of the pump being necessary, you will be so good as to have it repaired and mr Barnes will pay the bill. I recieved your letter of the 7th. last night only. I am in hopes the family with you is all well, as you...
2902From Thomas Jefferson to George Divers, 14 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I was mistaken in telling you that Wanscher was dead. the misinformation arose from the death of his wife. he called on me the other day, and I told him I thought you would be glad to employ him. in consequence of this he has written the inclosed letter which tho’ directed to me was intended for you as you will percieve. I salute you with affection & respect. MHi : Coolidge Collection.
2903From Thomas Jefferson to Abner Ritchie, 14 February 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved the night before last only, your letter of the 9th. the subject being entirely new to me, I have referred it to the Superintendant of the city to report facts. were I to hazard a primâ facie thought on the subject, it would be that the United states have no interest in the question & should take no part in it. the question seems to lie between the heirs of Byrne & Beatty, which of...
2904From Thomas Jefferson to John H. Craven, 11 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of Jan. 12. I mentioned to you that I could not admit any charge on account of John Perry in my account unless you sent me his order, on which I would remit the money to mr Higginbotham & thereby lessen his demand on you. since this I have paid J. Perry 100.D. and last night recieved orders from him to the amount of between 3. & 400 D. which would absorb all the paiments to him...
2905From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 27 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Circumstances, fellow Citizens, which seriously threatened the peace of our Country have made it a duty to convene you at an earlier period than usual. the love of peace so much cherished in the bosom of our Citizens, which has so long guided the proceedings of their public Councils, & induced forbearance under so many wrongs, may not ensure our continuance in the quiet pursuits of industry....
2906To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 18 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
I inclose you two letters from Rob. R. Livingston. That of the 2d. of June is just intelligible enough in the uncyphered parts to create anxieties which perhaps the cypher may remove. I communicate them for your information, & shall be glad to recieve them decyphered. I infer that the less we say about constitutional difficulties respecting Louisiana the better, and that what is necessary for...
2907III. Note for the National Intelligencer, [ca. 8 December 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
—an anxious solicitude for the * difficulties under which &c * Note. The Editor is not very certain to what this refers: but conjectures it is principally to the countervailing act passed by the British parliament in 1797. under the 15th. article of the British treaty : the 11th. section of which act lays additional duties of 10. percent on the amount of former duties on all articles except...
2908From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Dayton, 28 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respectful salutations & the compliments of the season to Genl. Dayton, returns him the inclosed with thanks, which had been recieved by the Secy. of State. by a letter from Genl. Wilkinson at Ft. Adams Dec. 9. the troops would leave that only the next morning at Reveille, and he calculated that using all their oars, & travelling night and day, they would arrive at N....
2909From Thomas Jefferson to James Walker, 8 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your letter of the 4th. inst. I did not suppose that I was in your debt. the impression on my mind was that the last paiment I made compleatly discharged the balance, and having left my papers at Monticello, I cannot now examine into them. but I shall be at home in about a month and you must then come & let us examine into the matter, and whatever is right shall be done....
2910From Thomas Jefferson to William D. Meriwether, 24 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
By the bearer Davy, I send you, according to our arrangement, the following trees. No. 1. six Peach Apricots engrafted from an engrafted tree, of Italy. No. 2. two Bourdeaux Apricots, large & fine in quality. No. 3. two Peach trees from France, soft, said to be the finest ever seen. also a small bag containing about 100. Paccan nuts, fresh, for planting. wishing you all possible success with...
2911From Thomas Jefferson to James Currie, 30 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my arrival at home I have two or three times recieved Vaccine matter from Dr. Waterhouse at Boston & through him from Dr. Jenner of London, which has been inoculated directly or by succession 1 into 30. or 40. of my family, & 20. or 30. of mr Randolph’s with perfect success. many of them are through the disease. a few had slight fevers, and one only a bad arm, produced by too deep an...
2912From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 18 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Another reporting day has come about, and by mr Lenthall’s report I find the stone work falling more & more behind and keeping back the work of the Carpenters & Plaisterers. instead of 6. stone cutters, which might have sufficed at the date of my former letter, 12. at least will now be necessary, & every days delay of their arrival must still add to the number to be sent on. price must not be...
2913From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 31 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I suppose it will be proper to institute an enquiry against Briggs the reciever at Cincinti. on the within. where the information is reasonably respectable, and names of witnesses given, it seems to become a duty. Affectte. salutations. NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
2914From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 27 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The Commissioners who were appointed to carry into execution the VIth. article of the treaty of Amity, commerce & navigation between the US. and Great Britain, having differed in their construction of that article, & separated in consequence of that difference, the President of the US. took immediate measures for obtaining conventional explanations of that article for the government of the...
2915From Thomas Jefferson to Elizabeth House Trist, [5 October 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
Can you tell me, my good friend, how I came by the enclosed letter ? it is more than I can. on my unpacking here I found it in a bundle of papers which I had carried to Monticello & had not occasion to open there. I suspect it was given me here in the moment of departure in July, & put into the bundle for safe keeping: where indeed it has been very safely kept, if not so speedily delivered as...
2916From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Harrison Smith, 9 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I am overwhelmed with petitions from Massachusets. I give the same answer to them all, but as it is pretty long it requires more writing than I can get done in the country. I therefore inclose you a copy and must pray you to have 150. printed on good quarto writing paper & a large good type, and to send them to me by the post which leaves Washington for Milton this day sennight, as the...
2917From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 8 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 2d. my dear Martha, which was not recieved till the last night has raised me to life again. for four days past I had gone through inexpressible anxiety. the mail which left you on the 5th. will probably be here tonight, and will I hope strengthen our hopes of Maria’s continuing to recover, and mr Eppes’s arrival which I presume was on the 6th. will render her spirits...
2918From Thomas Jefferson to Jacob Wagner, 1 September 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his compliments to mr Wagner, returns him the pardon of Joseph Barnaby, signed. at the same time the case has so entirely escaped his recollection that he does not retain one trace of it; and having sent, as he supposes, because he usually does it, all the papers to be filed in the office, he has no means of refreshing his memory. if there were, among the papers, a...
2919From Thomas Jefferson to Aaron Burr, 15 February 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respectful salutations to the Vice-president of the US. and his thanks for the friendly sentiments of his letter of this morning. the request for transmitting to the V. President elect the notification of his election, is put into a train for execution. PoC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ.
2920From Thomas Jefferson to Caspar Wistar, 12 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by my grandson Th Jefferson Randolph who goes on to Philadelphia to attend the lectures in Anatomy, Natural history & Surgery during this winter, and of Botany in the spring. those of Anatomy & Natural history, in the winter course, are to occupy his attention almost exclusively and he will attend the course of Surgery merely to get the outlines of the doctrines, and to...
2921From Thomas Jefferson to Waller Holladay, 15 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Deriving very little aid from my memory on transactions so antient as those the subject of your letter of the 6th. I have turned to my letter files & here state the heads of their information. 1786. Jan. 24. Th: Jefferson to the Govr. of Virginia, informs him that mr Littlepage had been obliged to part with the money sent by him, & that mr L. said it would be repaid by his guardian in Virga,...
2922Deposition re Edmond Charles Genet, 9 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The deposition of Th: Jefferson named in certain interrogatories in a cause depending in the supreme court of Judicature of the State of N.Y., wherein Edmund Charles Genet is plaintiff & Isaac Mitchell is defendant. This deponent, being first duly sworn, deposeth & saith that having carefully considered the written interrogatories abovementioned as proposed to him by the parties plaintiff &...
2923From Thomas Jefferson to Madame de Corny, 2 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
It is long, my very dear friend, since I have heard from you, but longer since I have written to you. the constant pressure of matters, which would not admit of delay, has, during my continuance in office, suspended almost entirely all my private correspondence. I am obliged to ask from the candor of my friends their attention to the imperiousness of the circumstances under which I have been...
2924From Thomas Jefferson to Stephen Pleasonton, 20 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
You have done perfectly right in stopping the commission ordered for Benajah Nicholls as Surveyor of Windsor & I thank you for it. at the same time I have no recollection of the name of William H. Ruffin as appointed to that office, nor does my list of the commissions I sign note any such one as having been signed. I presume therefore it has been a blank filled up, & therefore has not come to...
2925From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 26 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
In a former letter from Washington I expressed a wish that the salubrity of our climate here, and the wishes of antient friends might make it agreeable to mrs Page and yourself to come and pass some time during my stay here which will be to about the 20th. of September. from your answer I concieved hopes it would be so. I nourish them still with fondness, and anticipate the pleasure of...
2926From Thomas Jefferson to Edgar Patterson, 1 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Patterson: he has two watches in the possession of mr Voigt of Philadelphia which have been long waiting for a conveyance. if mr Patterson could give to one or both of them a place in his waistcoat pocket he would much oblige Th:J. they cannot come packed away in baggage, because should a single pin or screw shake out, the whole rattles to pieces in...
2927From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Lewis Bankhead, 19 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have waited till I could execute Anne’s commission as to the seed of the ice-plant, before acknoleging the reciept of her letter of Dec. 19. and your’s of the 20th. I now inclose the seed, in the envelope of a pamphlet for Doctr. Bankhead’s acceptance. the case of Whistelo belongs to the physician, altho’ here presented as a case of law. I do not suppose however it will add to his knolege as...
2928From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 8 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 2d. has been duly recieved. it will be a subject of real regret if the regulation we have adopted does not meet your wishes, & the more so as it is too far gone to be changed, acceptances having been recieved . I explained to you in my former letter the principles on which it was done, to wit, 1. to train for public service in future such subjects as from their standing in...
2929II. Notes on a Cabinet Meeting, 13 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
June 13. at a meeting with the 4. Secretaries at the Secy. of state’s office. unanimously agreed that mr King shall be informed that we desire he should conclude the negociation on the subject of the VIth. article as he had begun under former orders, for the sum in gross which he has offered, to wit 506,694 £ sterl and no more.—afterwds agrd to 600,000. because King hd offered it MS ( DLC : TJ...
2930From Thomas Jefferson to the Governors of the States, 13 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
At the request of the Senate and H. of Rep. of the US. I transmit to you a copy of an article of amendment proposed by Congress to be added to the constitution of the US. respecting the election of President and Vice president to be laid before the legislature of the State over which you preside: and I tender you assurances of my high respect and consideration. RC ( NjMoHP ); in Lewis Harvie’s...
2931From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 13 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
A considerable time before the reciept of your letter of Apr. 29. it was known here that mr Boudinot intended to retire from the Direction of the mint, & as was expected, immediately. it had therefore been made a question to the members of the administration who should be his successor. it was supposed that the duties of that office required the best mathematical talents which could be found,...
2932From Thomas Jefferson to James Taylor, Jr., 7 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the satisfaction now to inclose you bank bills amounting to 705. dollars, to wit, 7. of one hundred each, and 1 of five, which for greater security I have cut in two and now forward one half of each bill wrapped in water-proof paper, and by another post will send on the remaining halves. the 5. dollar bill is entire. the amount of the two last pipes of wine with the costs according to...
2933From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 18 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 13th. 14th. and 16th. were recieved in the evening of the 16th. I now return you the papers which accompanied them, to wit, the letters of Armstrong, Merry, Monroe, Claiborne, Sevier, Rhea, Clinton, Jones, Vail, Airth Skipwith, the Paris Commissioners, Livingston, Gavino, Wickelhousen, Swan, and Bp. Madison. A more disgusting correspondence between men of sense, than that of...
2934From Thomas Jefferson to Theodore Foster, 6 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the receipt of your favor of May 19. mr. Howell has been appointed to the office of district attorney. Jonathan Russell had been appointed agreeable to your recommendation long before as Collector of customs for Bristol, and tho’ the note made on the occasion & which is now before me has omitted the name of mr Phillips as Surveyor, yet my memory tells me he was appointed at...
2935From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate, 24 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I lay before you the Convention signed on the 12th. day of May last, between the United States and Great Britain, for settling their boundaries in the North Eastern & North Western parts of the United States, which was mentioned in my general message of the 17th. instant; together with such papers relating thereto as may enable you to determine whether you will advise & consent to it’s...
2936From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 29 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The passport for the Leonidas goes by this post to the Collector of Norfolk. I return you Jarvis’s, Hackley’s & Montgomery’s letters, and send you Hull’s, Hunt’s, Clarke’s & Mr Short’s for perusal & to be returned. on this last the following questions arise. When exactly shall the next vessel go? whence? is not the secrecy of the mission essential? is it not the very ground of sending it while...
2937From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 16 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
By a vessel sailing this day for Norfolk mr Barnes sends 16. packages of groceries &c addressed to mr Taylor, to be sent on to you. these being for use while I shall be at Monticello I must pray you to forward them by the first boat, as they will, with good luck, only arrive in time for me. accept assurances of my affectionate esteem PrC ( MHi ); at foot of text: “Mr. George Jefferson”;...
2938From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Leslie, 27 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 10th. came to hand in due time. the construction of the dry dock is laid aside for the present, from a cautious prudence not to undertake new expences, till experience fully establishes the state of our finances. I had contemplated the subject a great deal without foreseeing any thing which I thought could defeat it’s effect. my curiosity therefore, as well as my concern, is...
2939From Thomas Jefferson to James Wallace, 11 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of May 19. was recieved in due time, and that of the 6th . inst. came to hand last night. the duties of my present office calling for the whole of my time, and even that being insufficient, and rendering it necessary to leave unacted on whatever will admit of it, the first of your favors remained unanswered. under these circumstances I am obliged to deny myself the gratification of...
2940From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 7 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Proceeding as we are to an extensive construction of gun-boats, there are many circumstances to be considered & agreed on. viz. 1. how many shall we build? for the debate lately published proves clearly it was not expected we should build the whole number proposed. 2. of what sizes, and how many of each size? 3. what weight of metal shall each size carry? shall carronades be added? 4. is it...
2941From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 24 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I learn with deep concern, my dearest Ellen, that the family has been unwell generally, that you have been ill, and your Mama indisposed. Anne informs me you are getting better but does not say whether your Mama is so also. yet, in the absence of your Papa, her health is doubly important because her care is necessary for you all. I hope this will find you all recovered. your friends here are...
2942From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 9 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
being quite a stranger to the service in which the vessel at Charleston is engaged, as well as to her situation & condition, I must request you to do in it what the service or her condition admits. Affectte. salutations. DNA : RG 45--Miscellaneous Letters Received by the Secretary of the Navy.
2943From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 27 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I suppose the object of the inclosed information was to obtain a pardon; but as Judge Potter’s means of information respecting the opinion of the Supreme court in a like case may be imperfect, I think it would be best that the Attorney General should enquire into the case, and say whether a pardon ought to go on the ground of the illegality of the judgment.—I propose to leave this for...
2944From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 2 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now able to inform you, tho’ I must do it confidentially, that we are at length likely to get the Missouri explored, & whatever river heading with that, leads into the Western ocean. Congress by a secret act has authorised me to do it. I propose to send immediately a party of about ten men with Capt Lewis, my secretary, at their head. if we could have got a person perfectly skilled in...
2945From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 9 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
A person of the name of Thompson, of Amherst county in Virginia has asked my interference for the recovery of his son John Thompson understood to be impressed on board the Squirrel a British vessel of war. the inclosed letter gave him the first information he has recieved from him for some time past, for so long a time indeed that he had apprehended he was dead. he thinks the letter not...
2946From Thomas Jefferson to James Lyle, 9 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of June 24. came to hand on the 1st. inst. the impression on my mind is that there were important errors in Richd. Harvie’s acct. and that I gave you some years ago a detailed statement of them. Richard and myself had one or more conversations on the subject, and some explanations took place, but what their effect was, my memory does not enable me to say. I think I have probably a...
2947II. Jefferson’s Reply, 10 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank the great Spirit that he has conducted you hither in health & safety, and that we have an opportunity, of renewing our amity, and of holding friendly conference together. it is a circumstance of great satisfaction to us that we are in peace and good understanding with all our red brethren, and that we discover in them the same disposition to continue so which we feel ourselves. it is...
2948From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Worthington, 31 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Colo. Worthington, & incloses a draught of a section, which he proposed to Genl. Smith to add by way of amendment to the Volunteer bill. knowing Colo. Worthington to be friendly to this important measure, he has taken this liberty, as he had with Genl Smith that of delivering him the original. Privately owned.
2949From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Jefferson Randolph, 24 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just recieved the inclosed letter under cover from mr Bankhead which I presume is from Anne, and will inform you she is well. mr Bankhead has consented to go & pursue his studies at Monticello, & live with us till his pursuits or circumstances may require a separate establishment. your situation, thrown at such a distance from us & alone, cannot but give us all, great anxieties for you....
2950Notes on Cabinet Meeting, 7 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
7. prest. the Secretaries of State & Navy, & Atty Genl. agreed to desire Govr. of Virga to order such portion of militia into actual service as may be necessary for defence of Norfolk, & of the gun boats at Hampton and in Matthews county. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.