101From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 21 August 1777 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of May 26. came safely to hand. I wish it were in my power to suggest any remedy for the evil you complain of. Tho’ did any occur, I should propose it to you with great diffidence. after knowing you had thought on the subject yourself. There is indeed a fact which may not have come to your knolege, out of which perhaps some little good may be drawn. The borrowing money in Europe (or...
102List of British Prisoners and Their Quarters in Albemarle County, [25 September 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
John Dow } Thomas West Feb. 2. 1777 William Nichols William Holderness } N. Lewis. Jan. 30. 1777. John Mann. Jacob Seading George Harvie Joseph Coupland John Normon Malcolm Shilcott Thomas Ruth. (Richd. Woods). Alexander Colvin. (Jamieson) Hugh Granville } Wm. Barksdale. Feb. 3. 1777 Wm. Jamieson Wm. Stokes
1033. Jefferson’s Notes of Acts of Assembly Adopted October 1777 and May 1778, October 1777–May 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
Oct. 20. 1777. * c. 1. to be excluded from the operation of the repealing bill, as are all others marked thus *. + * c. 2. see bill for amending this. c. 3. unnecessary because fee bill prepared. + c. 5. omit preamble and 2. last clause and copy it verbatim. qu. if not a bill already? *
104Memorandum on Paper Money, [October 1777–January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
year. sum in circulatn. rate sum raised 1778. 3,125,000 £ 10/ 500,000 1779. 2,625,000 20/ 1,000,000 1780. 1,625,000 15/ 750,000 1781. 875,000 10/ 500,000
105Account of Guard for British Prisoners, [5 October 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
£ Acct of the guard as presented by Bernis Brown was for himself from Nov. 15. 1776 to May. 15. 1777. 181 days @ 2/ 18 2 0 to 10. privates from Nov. 15. 1776. to Apr. 10. 1777. 146 days @ 1/4 97 6 8 to 4. privates from Apr. 10. to May 15. 35. days @ 1/4 9 6 8 to 6 ¾℔ candle 6 9 125 2 1 Certified the above.
106From Thomas Jefferson to Lucy Chiswell Nelson, 24 October 1777 (Jefferson Papers)
Colo. Nelson’s merit and his present command place him in my judgment without a competitor, for the post to which you wish him appointed. It is a great happiness to me therefore that while I pursue the dictates of my own judgment I am at the same time subservient to your wishes. One truth only it behoves me to warn you of, that you may not be deceived by over-rating any one’s assistance. No...
107I. Notes of Thomas Burke’s Speech before the House of Delegates, [19 November 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
Jurisdiction of this state extends to lands in question. Henderson & co. nevertheless a right to the soil. Altho’ he must shew their right to the whole, they wish only to retain a very small part and give up the rest in consideration of protection. To make a good deed 3 essentials. N ( DLC ); with TJ’s title at top of page: “Notes of Burke’s argum. before H. of Deleg. in the case of...
108Draft of a Bill to Give the Articles of Confederation the Force of Law, [after 15 December 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas certain articles of confederation and perpetual union were on the day of last proposed by Congress to be entered into between the states of New-Hampshire, Massachusettsbay, Rhode island and Providence plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylva, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, N. Carolina, S. Carolina, and Georgia, in these words following to wit ‘Article I. the stile &c....
109To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 17 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
Williamsburg, Va., 17 December 1777. RC ( Adams Papers ); printed : Jefferson, Papers The Papers of Thomas Jefferson , ed. Julian P. Boyd and others, Princeton, 1950-. , 2:120–121. Noting that Virginia had ratified the Articles of Confederation, Jefferson described the concern among some in the state over Art. 9, which gave power to the congress to enter into treaties of commerce. Opponents...
110From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 17 December 1777 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress will receive by this post our approbation of the Confederation . It passed the house of Delegates on Monday and the Senate on Tuesday last. Tho’ our house of delegates is almost wholly of those who are truly zealous, yet there have ever been a few who have endeavored to throw obstructions in our way. Objections to this important instrument came therefore not unexpectedly. The most...
111Memorandum Books, 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 1. Pd. Nicholson for gloves 5/. 2. Pd. for fodder 42/. 3. Pd. for gloves 2/6. Recd. of Henry Tazewell for books £4–12–6. 6. Pd. ferrge. &c. at Cowle’s for going & returning 12/. Gave ferrymen 1/. 7. Pd. for 2 ℔ white Sugar 28/. 10. Pd. for wood 45/. Recd. of Norton & Beall in part for my tobo. £200–14. Note they give me £3 per hundred & pay warehouse expences. 11. Gave G. W.’s Abram 12/. 12.
112From Thomas Jefferson to George Rogers Clark, 3 January 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
As some Indian Tribes, to the westward of the Missisippi have lately, without any provocation, massacred many of the Inhabitants upon the Frontiers of this Commonwealth, in the most cruel and barbarous Manner, and it is intended to revenge the Injury and punish the Aggressors by carrying the War into their own Country. We congratulate You upon your Appointment to conduct so important an...
113IV. Notes on Money Bills, [before 9 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
1671. Apr. 19. Resolved that there is a fundamental right in the house of Commons alone in bills of rates & impositions on merchandise as to the matter, the measure, & the time. Parl. deb. 1st. v. 147. note the bill in questn. was a bill for impositions on merchandise. Apr. 22. they object that instead of a discourse from the lords on the amendments to the bill they met with nothing but a...
114VII. Draft of a Resolution concerning Money Bills, [before 13 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
That bills relating solely to the raising or disposing of public money in any way whatever are not amendable by the Senate. That in other bills if some clauses or sentences relate to the raising or disposing of public money, and others relate to other subjects, the said clauses or sentences so relating to the raising or disposing of public money are not amendable by the Senate; but such other...
115Draft of a Resolution concerning Money Due British Subjects, [ca. 13 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
And whereas his Britannic majesty did on the day of 1775 undertake by the strength of his fleets to shut up the several ports and havens of the American states and to intercept all commerce between the said states and other parts of the world, to which proceeding the British parliament had previously given their sanction by an act entitled an act whereby the monies belonging to the subjects of...
116I. Summary Notes of Provisions in Treaties with France, the Netherlands, and Sweden, 6 February 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
France. Feb. 6. 1778. United Netherlands. Oct. 8. 1782. Sweden. Apr. 3, 1783. MS ( DLC ); entirely in TJ’s hand; arranged in parallel columns with digest of French and Netherlands’ treaties on recto and of Swedish on verso of eight leaves. In text as here presented, digests are arranged in sequence. Actually, this was Article 13 of the treaty as signed, though Articles 11 and 12 were suppressed...
117From Thomas Jefferson to Isaac Zane, 26 February 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
Having been unable to get waggons to set off hitherto for our pans and the day on which we were to send for them, approaching, I thought myself bound to send express with the money to answer my engagement. The bearer I hope will be with you on the 1st. day of March which if I recollect was the ultimate day I required. He will deliver you one hundred and eighty pounds, the price of two pans...
118Bill for Raising a Battalion for Garrison Duty, [16 May 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
For garrisoning the fortifications and batteries erected for the defence of the several ports and harbours within this commonwealth be it enacted by the Gen. assembly that a battalion of infantry to consist of 8 companies and each company of 68 rank and file shall be raised within this commonwealth by such persons as shall be appointed by the gov. and council [for] that purpose; that each...
119From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Henry Lee, 5 June 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now to acknowledge the receipt of two of your favours, during the session of Assembly, but there being little to communicate to you, and that, being a busy time with me, has prevented my doing it sooner. The Assembly rose on Monday last; their only act, which can shortly aid our army, was one for raising a regiment of horse, which, I think, will be raised as fast as it can be accoutred....
120From Thomas Jefferson to Giovanni Fabbroni, 8 June 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Sep. 15. 1776 from Paris came safe to hand. We have not however had the pleasure of seeing Mr. De Crenis, the bearer of it in this country, as he joined the army in Pennsylvania as soon as he arrived. I should have taken particular pleasure in serving him on your recommendation. From the kind anxiety expressed in your letters as well as from other sources of information we...
121From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Henley, 9 June 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Madison I believe informed you by letter written some time ago that one of your boxes of books left in his care burst open in removing it from the college to the president’s house for greater security. This accident discovered them to be in a state of ruin. They had contracted a dampness and stuck together in large blocks, insomuch that they could not sometimes be separated without tearing...
122From Thomas Jefferson to James Mercer, 14 June 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Dick presented me at the assembly in December Mr. Ogilvie’s debt, at which time I was not able to answer it, and as he told me he should be in Williamsburgh again before the rising of the assembly, I omitted to take a memorandum of the amount. If you will be so good as to let me know what it is, I will by the first safe opportunity send it to you. If you have any news of the British army’s...
123XXII. Thomas Jefferson to Jerman Baker, 26 June 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
I now inclose you a state of the tickets received by Mr. Wayles and to whom sold. It is taken from two or three states made out by him at different times and corresponding with one another. One of these appears to have been in Colo Byrd’s hands for examination and has some small queries and annotations in his hand writing which shews it to have been approved. Their authenticity is further...
124From Thomas Jefferson to David Rittenhouse, 19 July 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
I sincerely congratulate you on the recovery of Philadelphia, and wish it may be found uninjured by the enemy. How far the interests of literature may have suffered by the injury or removal of the Orrery ( as it is miscalled ) the publick libraries, your papers and implements, are doubts which still excite anxiety. We were much disappointed in Virginia generally on the day of the great eclipse...
125From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Henry Lee, 30 August 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters of June 16. and Aug. 10. came safely to hand. I am in great pain for the French fleet. Operations by land I have more confidence in. What are we to think of the handbill said to have been circulated by Mr. Mauduit and published in our papers as certified by your brother? Is it genuine? If they really are coming to their senses at last, and it should be proposed to treat of peace,...
126Virginia Troops in Continental Service, [30 September 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
General Washington’s return of Virga. troops Sep. 30. 7[8] 6. Colonels. } Feild 6. Lt. Colonels 6. Majors. 33. Captains } Commission. 38. 1st. Lts. 24. 2d. Lts. 7. Ensigns 2.
127From Thomas Jefferson to John Hancock, 19 October 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
In a late conversation with Mr. T. Adams since his return from Congress I find, what indeed might have been well supposed that the state of the Continental finances was not the most flourishing. The establishment of banks in Europe for the purpose of maintaining our credit there, as well as here, and by that means of enlarging our supplies by way of loan may perhaps meet with the attention of...
128From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, 1 November 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
I have got thro’ the bill ‘for proportioning crimes and punishments in cases heretofore capital,’ and now inclose it to you with a request that you will be so good as scrupulously to examine and correct it, that it may be presented to our committee with as few defects as possible. In it’s style I have aimed at accuracy, brevity and simplicity, preserving however the very words of the...
129From Thomas Jefferson to Isaac Zane, 8 December 1778 [document added in digital edition] (Jefferson Papers)
I was much disappointed at not meeting with you here for many reasons: one or two of them I will explain to you. my partners in the salt pans having been unable to send for them in due time, the gentleman who had contracted with us to carry on the business chose to decline it. this prevented our sending at all: & considering our great distance from the Salt-waters, they seem now disposed to...
130XXIII. State of Farell & Jones’ Judgment against John Randolph, [19 December 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Judgment £241.14. 5 Int: on Judgment from 23d July 68 till 23 Sept: 78 122. 17. 9 364. 12. 2 Put into the hands of Th: J. 1778. Dec. 19 { Recd of Sherif of James City 263.2 } 296. 2 Recd of Mr. Blair 33. £ 68. 10. 2 Pd Mr. Tazewell his fee 4 10 291 12 Carried to the Treasury the instant received, to credit of Farrel & Jones. MS (
1312. Jefferson’s Notes of English Statutes, 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
No. 1. } a { 11. or 13.E.1. stat. of Acton Burnel. allowing recognisances before a mayor to have effect of jdmts. & goods for defect of buyers to be delivd. to creditor at appraised value. b 13.E.1.c.1. the stat. of merchants. supplementory of the last. c 14.E.3.c.11. supplementory No. 2. 27.E.3.st.2.c.7. prohibition to export wool, leather, lead. 14.R.2.c.5. do. No. 1. { d. 27.E.3.st.2.c.5....
1324. Outline of Bill for Proportioning Crimes and Punishments, &c., 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I. Crimes whose punishmt. extends to Life . 1. High-treason. Death < by burying alive. qu .> by hanging Forfeiture of lands & goods to Commwth. 2. Petty Treason. Death by hanging. Dissection. Forfeitr of half lands & goods to representatives of person killed.
1335. Memorandum by Jefferson on Bills to be Drafted, 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
< confining prisoner in county jail, to be considd. as obeyg. writ .> < Presenting? def. & confessing jdmt .> < deposns. in criminal cases, when to be admitted > < in bill for specific performnce ( as in purchase of lands ) have damages for … > T. J. oath of fidelity to be taken by all officers < fee bill. restrain Sheriff’s commn. as the Marshall’s in admiralty
134Form of Parole for Captive Officers, [1779?] (Jefferson Papers)
I promise on my parole of honour and on the faith of a gentleman that I will continue within such limits as shall be assigned to me by his excellency the Govr. of Virga. or such other person acting in that particular by authority from him; that I will not directly or indirectly deliver or cause to be delivered nor receive for the purpose of conveying to or from any person not being a citizen...
135Form of Commission to Militia Officers, [1779] (Jefferson Papers)
The COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA. TO greeting : Know you, that from the special Trust and Confidence which is reposed in your Patriotism, Fidelity, Courage, and good Conduct, you are by these Presents, constituted and appointed of Militia in the County of . You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of of the Militia, by doing and performing all Manner of Things thereunto...
136Calculations and Returns of Virginia Battalions, [1779] (Jefferson Papers)
[Text reproduced in illustration section preceding this page.] [1] [2] MS ( DLC ); entirely in TJ’s hand. Most of these notes and calculations were apparently made in 1776, either for or following the Bill for Raising Six Battalions of Infantry (q.v. under date of 28 Oct. 1776) . To them, however, TJ added returns of Virginia troops in the fall of 1779; see Returns entered under date of 4 Nov....
137Notes and Queries concerning Proposed Removal of Convention Troops, [1779?] (Jefferson Papers)
General heads of enquiry. Situation of barracks. Their distance from navigation. The roads leading to them. Their direction, soil or bottom. The water courses to be crossed. What obstruction. What circumstances when troops came. 3[. . . .] Is there any other situation accessible by roads which cannot be worked into mire or waters which cannot be raised. Did one night’s rain ever render...
138Memorandum Books, 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 1. Gave negroes on the road 4/. ✓ Pd. my sister Carr £27. 3. Pd. entertt. at Watson’s ordinary 24/. ✓ 4. Recd. of T. Garth £50–12. 5. Charge Neilson 1. galln. whiskey. ✓ 7. Recd. of T. Garth £271–10. ✓ 14. Pd. Anthony Giannini £4–10. 27.
139From Thomas Jefferson to George Rogers Clark, [March or April 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter and verba[l message] by Mr. St. Vrain was received today; your m[essage will be?] attended to. Much solicitude will be felt for the result of your expedition to the Wabash; it will at least delay their expedition to our frontier Settlements; and if Successful, have an important bearing ultimately in Establishing our North Western boundary. I am Sir your Mo. obt. […] Tr ( WHi ). In...
140From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, 1 March 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I left you I have reflected on the bill for regulating the practising of attornies, and of our omitting to continue the practitioners at the county and General courts separate. I think the bar of the general court a proper and an excellent nursery for future judges if it be so regulated as that science may be encouraged and may live there. But this can never be if an inundation of...
141From Thomas Jefferson to Patrick Henry, 27 March 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
A report prevailing here that in consequence of some powers from Congress the Governor and council have it in contemplation to remove the Convention troops either wholly or in part from their present situation, I take the liberty of troubling you with some observations on that subject. The reputation and interests of our country in general may be affected by such a measure. It would therefore...
142From Thomas Jefferson to William Phillips, [April? 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
I should have been very happy to have seen you yesterday as I shall be at all times when you can make it convenient to call on us. The great cause which divides our countries is not to be decided by individual animosities. The harmony of private societies cannot weaken national efforts. To contribute by neighborly intercourse and attentions to make others happy is the shortest and surest way...
143From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Henry Lee, 21 April 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Among the convention prisoners in this neighborhood is a Baron de Geismar of the Germans, brigade-major to Genl. Gall, whose situation I would wish to make you acquainted with. He is the only son of a German nobleman, and has I beleive an only sister; his Father, now 70 years of age, if living; and excessively anxious to see him before his death: his patrimonial expectations in danger of being...
144From Thomas Jefferson to Gabriel Jones, 29 April 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
By Mrs. Harvey I enclose to you the principal and interest of the money you were so kind as to lend me some years ago. It furnishes me also with an occasion of acknowledging, with this, the many other obligations under which you have laid me, of which I shall always be proud to shew a due sense, whenever opportunity shall offer. I am, Dear Sir, with much esteem, Your friend and servt., MS not...
145Message Accepting Election as Governor, [2 June 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
The honour which the General Assembly have been pleased to confer on me, by calling me to the high office of Governour of this commonwealth, demands my most grateful acknowledgments, which I desire through you Gentlemen, to tender to them with the utmost respect. In a virtuous and free state, no rewards can be so pleasing to sensible minds, as those which include the approbation of our fellow...
146From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, [3 June 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
I received your letter by Mr. Jamieson. It had given me much pain that the zeal of our respective friends should ever have placed you and me in the situation of competitors. I was comforted however with the reflection that it was their competition, not ours, and that the difference of the numbers which decided between us, was too insignificant to give you a pain or me a pleasure [had] our...
147From Thomas Jefferson to Conrad Alexandre Gérard, 8 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The General Assembly of Virginia at their first Session which was held after the conclusion of the Treaties of Alliance and Commerce between his most Christian Majesty and the American Congress, tho’ seeing that fortunate event in all its importance, yet omitted to give it their particular approbation, entertaining a daily hope that the Confederation of the united States would be acceded to by...
148[From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 7 June 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg, 7 June 1779 . A. L. S., 1 p., Henkels Catalogue No. 906 (Hampton L. Carson Sale, 26 Oct. 1904), pt. ii , suppl., lot 2262. Not located. See note on TJ’s letter to Harrison, 8 June 1779 , the text of which refers to this letter.]
149From Thomas Jefferson to Theodorick Bland, 8 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter to Governor Henry of the 1st. instant came safe to hand yesterday and I immediately laid it before the Council. It gave them pain to hesitate on my request from General Phillips whose polite conduct has disposed them to every indulgence consistent with the duties of their appointment. The indiscriminate murther of men, Women and children with the usual circumstances of barbarity...
150From Thomas Jefferson to William Fleming, 8 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your letter and have now to thank you for it. Some resolutions of Congress came to hand yesterday desiring an authentic state to be sent them of the cruelties said to have been committed by the enemy during their late invasion. The council had already taken measures to obtain such a state. Tho’ so near the scene where these barbarities are said to have been committed I am not able...