51Cabinet Meetings. Proposals Concerning the Conduct of the French Minister, [1–23 August 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
At meetings of the heads of departments & the Attorney General at the President’s on the 1st. & 2d. of Aug. 1793. On a review of the whole of mr Genet’s correspondence & conduct, it was unanimously agreed that a letter should be written to the Minister of the US. at Paris, stating the same to him, resuming the points of difference which had arisen between the government of the US. & mr Genet,...
52Cabinet Meeting. Opinion Respecting the Proposed Treaty with the Indians Northwest of the Ohio, [25 February 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
The President having required the attendance of the heads of the three departments and of the Attorney general at his house on Monday the 25th. of Feb. 1793. the following questions were proposed and answers given. 1. The Governor of Canada having refused to let us obtain provisions from that province or to pass them along the water communication to the place of treaty with the Indians, and...
53Cabinet Meeting. Opinions on Relations with France and Great Britain, [7 December 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments & Atty genl. at the President’s on the 7th. of Dec. 1793. Mr. Genet’s ltre of Dec. 3. questioning the right of requiring the address of Consular commissions to the President was read. It is the opinion that the address may be either to the US. or to the President of the US. but that one of these should be insisted on. A letter from James King was read,...
54Cabinet Meetings. Opinions Concerning the Relations of the United States with Several European Countries, [1–22 November … (Hamilton Papers)
At sundry meetings of the heads of departments & attorney general from the 1st. to the 21st. of Nov. 1793. at the President’s several matters were agreed upon as stated in the following letters from the Secretary of state. to wit. Nov. 8. Circular letter to the representatives of France, Gr. Brit. Spain & the U. Netherlands, fixing provisonily the extent of our jurisdiction into the sea at a...
55IV. Questions for the Supreme Court, [18 July 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
1. Do the treaties between the US. and France give to France or her citizens a right , when at war with a power with whom the US. are at peace, to fit out originally in and from the ports of the US, vessels armed for war, with or without commission? 2. If they give such a right , does it extend to all manner of armed vessels, or to particular kinds only? If the latter, to what kinds does it...
56Cabinet Meeting. Opinion on Furnishing Three Million Livres Agreeably to the Request of the French Minister, [25 … (Hamilton Papers)
Feb. 25. 1793. The President desires the opinions of the heads of the three departments and of the Attorney General on the following question, to wit. Mr. Ternant having applied for money equivalent to three millions of livres to be furnished on account of our debt to France at the request of the Executive of that country, which sum is to be laid out in provisions within the US. to be sent to...
57Cabinet Meeting. Opinion on Proposals Made by William S. Smith Relative to the French Debt, [2 March 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
The President communicated to the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of War and the Attorney General of the United States, a letter from William S. Smith Esqr. of the 28th of February past, to the Secretary of the Treasury, with sundry Papers—No. I. II. III & IV. relating to a negotiation for changing the form of the debt to France; and required their opinion what...
58Cabinet Opinions on Privateers and Prizes, 5 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments and the Attorney general at the Secretary of state’s office Aug. 5. 1793. The case of the Swallow letter of marque at New York, desired to be sent out of our ports, as being a privateer. It is the opinion that there is no ground to make any order on the subject. The Polly or Republican , in the hands of the Marshal at New York, on a charge of having...
59Cabinet Meeting. Opinion Respecting the French Consul at Boston, [31 August 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
At a meeting of the Heads of departments & Attorney General at the President’s on the 31st. day of Aug. 1793. A letter from mr Gore to mr Lear, dated Boston Aug. 24. was read, stating that the Roland, a privateer fitted out at Boston & furnished with a commission under the government of France, had sent a prize into that port, which being arrested by the Marshal of the district by process from...
60Cabinet Opinions on Sending an Agent to the Choctaw Indians, 1 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
That an Agent be sent to the Choctaw nation to endeavour secretly to engage them to support the Chickasaws in their present war with the Creeks, giving them for that purpose arms and ammunition sufficient: and that it be kept in view that if we settle our differences amicably with the Creeks, we at the same time mediate effectually the peace of the Chickasaws and Choctaws, so as to rescue the...
61Cabinet Opinion on the Creek Indians and Georgia, 29 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President of the United States having assembled the heads of the respective departments and the attorney General, laid before them for their advice thereon, sundry communications from the Governor of Georgia, and others, relatively to the recent alarming depredations of the creek Indians upon the State of Georgia. Whereupon after the subject was maturely considered and discussed it was...
62Memorial from George Hammond, with Jefferson’s Notes, 8 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Undersigned, his Britannic Majesty’s Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States of America, has the honor of representing to the Secretary of State that he has received information from various respectable quarters that a considerable quantity of arms and military accoutrements, which an agent of the French government has collected and purchased in this country, is now preparing to be...
63Memorial from George Hammond, with Jefferson’s Notes, 8 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Undersigned, his Britannic Majesty’s Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States of America, has the honor of submitting to the consideration of the Secretary of State the following information which he has received from his Majesty’s Consul at Charleston South Carolina. On the 22nd. ulto. the two brigantines the Four Brothers and the Morning Star, belonging to subjects of his Majesty,...
64To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 3 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
a letter is received from Mr Dumas, begun Dec. 4 & ending Jan. 26. the only interesting passage is the following “I have the satisfaction to be able to testify that the American funds are in great favor with the monied men of this country. I have seen them sell from one to another the obligations of the Congress of the first loan at 100.¾ per cent; those of the last of 1788. at 99 to 100....
65From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 31 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you a statement of the expenditure of the monies appropriated to our intercourse with foreign nations to be laid before the legislature according to the requisitions of the law . The account of the Secretary of state commences July 1. 1792. where that rendered at the last session ended; and is brought down to this time. In the two preceding years of this...
66From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 26 November 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor from Fredericksburg came safe to hand. I inclose you the extract of a letter I recieved from Mr. R. now in Richmond. Tho you will have been informed of the facts before this reaches you, yet you will see more of the subject by having different views of it presented to you. Though Marshall will be able to embarras the Republican party in the assembly a good deal, yet upon the whole,...
67From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Pinckney, 30 December 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letters to you have been of the 13th. and 20th. of Nov. since which I have recieved yours of Sep. 19. We are anxious to hear that the person substituted in the place of the one deceased is gone on that business.—You do not mention your prospect of finding for the mint the officers we were desirous of procuring. On this subject I will add to what was before mentioned to you, that if you...
68From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Pinckney, 7 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my Letter of April 26th. yours have been received of March 12. 12. 13. 13. and 19. Before the receipt of these, one of which covered the form of your passports , it had been determined here that passports should be issued in our own ports only, as well to secure us against those collusions which would be fraudulent towards our Friends, and would introduce a competition injurious to our...
69Official Instructions for Thomas Barclay, 13 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
You are appointed by the President of the United States to go to the Court of Morocco for the purpose of obtaining from the new Emperor a recognition of our Treaty with his father. As it is thought best that you should go in some definite character, that of Consul has been adopted, and you consequently receive a Commission as Consul for the United States in the dominions of the Emperor of...
70From Thomas Jefferson to James Brown, [13 November 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your [… ] with the extracts of Mr. Short’s letter[s] [. . . .] might be advantageous to transfer his pap[er] […] impossible to ask the opinion of a perso[n] [. . . .] However, after having consulted with thos[e] […] made up an opinion on the subject. Th[…] [advan]tageous to have been an original subscriber to […] the commerce in that stock has now brought […] real value,...
71VIII. Secretary of State to the President, 18 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson is sorry to present a long letter to the President to be read at so busy a moment: but the view which it presents of our commercial matters in France is too interesting to be unknown to the President.—The circumstances presented to view in the 2d. page of the letter induce Th: J. to think it may be well to commit to Mr. Short and the M. de la Fayette to press our settlement with...
72To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 1 June 1792 (Madison Papers)
I sent you last week some of Fenno’s papers in which you will have seen it asserted impudently & boldly that the suggestions against members of Congress were mere falshoods. I now inclose his Wednesday’s paper. I send you also a copy of Hamilton’s notes. Finding that the letter would not be ready to be delivered before the Pr’s return, I made notes corresponding with his, shewing where I...
73From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Carter, 1 May 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your favor of Apr. 19. and supposing you would wish information as to the article of it relative to the concern of Carter & Trent , I take the liberty of mentioning that there was a balance due from me to that concern, which had been partly paid off before my return from Europe, and the residue was paid about two years ago as nearly as I can recollect. It was done by Lewis &...
74From Thomas Jefferson to William Ludlam, 16 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
The American bills drawn on the American commissioners then at Paris, were paid as long as either of those commissioners remained here, and even a year or two longer by Mr. Barclay the American consul, till he also returned and the books were sent to New York to the board of Treasury. It is there alone they can now be examined or paid. I beleive the whole of those now floating out are...
75From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 31 December 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I received three days ago Mr. Randolph’s letter of the 14th. from Richmond, and received it with great joy as it informed me of the reestablishment of dear Anne’s health. I apprehend from an expression in his letter that some of mine may have miscarried. I have never failed to write every Thursday or Friday. Percieving by the Richmond paper that the Western post now leaves that place on...
76From Thomas Jefferson to Brissot de Warville, 8 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, Doctor Edwards, a citizen of the United States proposing to visit Paris, I avail myself of that occasion to recall myself to your recollection, and to recommend to your notice a person whose ta[lents?] information and worth will merit it. As the cause of freedom in one country is dear to the free of every other, and your partialities for our states may still interest you in...
77Memorandum to George Washington, 22 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Taking them up in their order, they appear susceptible of answer in the following way. The 1st. and 2d. by a concurrence of sentiment for the maintenance of the constitution, and preservation of peace, and the pleasure with which the President recieves their assurances of support in these objects. 3. Notice of the expressions of their personal respect . 4. Approbation of their expressions of...
78To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, [18 June] 1792 (Madison Papers)
Nothing new. P. S. Opening Freneau’s p⟨aper⟩ this moment I see a peice against the […] impost duties & it mentions the insufficiency of the revenue cutters for their object. This suggests a Quere. How comes an armed force to be in existence, & under the revenue department, & not the department of war? Would it not be well to call for a separate statement of the expence of these cutters, and...
79From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, 11 September 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favors referring to me the size and execution of the seal for your court, and as I can best decide on this after a consultation with the artist and due enquiry from him, I refer it till my return to Philadelphia which will now be within about ten days.—As I propose to return home to reside at the close of the next session of Congress I hope I shall then have...
80From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Gamble, 14 November 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Colo. Gamble and takes the liberty of putting under cover to him a letter to Mr. Mewbern of Richmond, with a request to have it handed him if be arrived from London, or if not, to let it lie by, till his arrival. Th:J. thinks he must be arrived as he sailed from London Aug. 30. He has the pleasure to inform Colo. Gamble that after the great rains which...
81To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 10 Nov. 1791. After examining the enclosed papers relating to the land purchase of John Cleves Symmes on the Great Miami River, he thinks it proper to lay them before Congress, to demonstrate not only the foundation of Symmes’s larger claim but also the “expediency of providing some speedy and regular mode of deciding this and other questions of a like nature which might arise...
82From Thomas Jefferson to James Brown, 4 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
According to the permission in your letter which I recieved at Monticello, I drew on you about a fortnight ago in favor of Messrs. Clow & co. for two hundred dollars, and have drawn on you to day in favor of the Revd. Matthew Maury for 1662/3 Doll. and in favor of John Garland Jefferson for seventy five Dollars. These last orders will probably be presented to you towards the latter part of...
83To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 28 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you two letters from Judge Symmes of Jan. 25th & 27th. his letter of Sep. 17. mentioned in the first of these was received by me Nov. 23. and after being laid before you, was answered Dec. 4. the part of the answer respecting leave from you to come to Philadelphia was in these words. “the President does not conceive that the Constitution has given him any controul...
84II. Jefferson’s Notes on the Hessian Fly, [24 May–18 June 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
Conrad Lasher. 16. miles above Poughkeepsie. The Hessian fly remains on the ground among the stubble of the old wheat. At ploughing time for sowing the new crop they rise in swarms before the plough horses. Soon after the wheat comes up they lay the egg in it, of the size of a nit, and will crack like it. He supposes the old fly dies in the winter. In the spring they begin to grow. [I saw them...
85From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 2 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
According to the Resolution of the House of Representatives of the 31st of December, delivered to me yesterday, I have the honor to lay before you a list of the several persons employed in my Office, with the Salaries allowed to each, as follows Dollars George Taylor Jr. (of New York) Chief Clerk , his salary fixed by law 800 Jacob Blackwell (of New York) Clerk 500 George Pfeiffer (of...
86To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, ca. 1 March 1792 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 1 March 1792. Mentioned in JM to Jefferson, 5 Mar. 1792 . Concerns settlement of David Owings’s and David Woods’s Revolutionary War claims.
87From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Peters, 13 June 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed having by some accident been mislaid among my papers it is not till now that I am able to forward it to you according to the request of the writer. My short stay in Philadelphia, and an untoward accident prevented my having the honor of seeing you there. The invitation which the society of St. Patrick was pleased to honour me with, and which would have procured me a meeting with...
88From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, with Jefferson’s Note, [23 July 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter of Genet’s of July 9. and the draught of an answer to it, which is approved by the other gentlemen but we wish your sentiments on it, and as soon as possible as it is pressing.—The other of June 22. is only under deliberation, and sent to you for your information and consideration against we meet again. [ Note by TJ: ] July 23. 93. E.R. returned this note and the two...
89From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Hanson, 4 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I now inclose you a power of Attorney for the collection of the bonds enumerated in the list which was inclosed in your letter of Octob. 27. with a special letter to the persons named in each bond notifying your power and desiring them to make the paiment to you at Petersburgh. There is one thing to which I must beg your particular attention, that is, to take measures for having clerks and...
90From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Biddle, 12 December 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Having asked the favor of Mr. Hollingsworth to look out for a person in his neighborhood who would be willing to go to Virginia and overlook a farm for me, he informs me that you will undertake it, for a hundred and twenty dollars a year. He seems to have mistaken me in the circumstance of time, as he mentions that you would expect to go about the new year. I had observed to him that I should...
91Report on Negotiations with Spain, 18 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The appointment of Mr. Carmichael and Mr. Short as Commissioners to negociate with the court of Spain a treaty or convention relative to the navigation of the Missisipi, and which perhaps may be extended to other interests, rendering it necessary that the subjects to be treated of should be developed, and the conditions of arrangement explained, the Secretary of state Reports to the President...
92From Thomas Jefferson to Edward Church, 5 May 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The President of the United States desiring to avail the public of your services as Consul of the United States of America for the port of Lisbon, in the Kingdom of Portugal and for such parts of the said Kingdom as shall be nearer to the said port, than to the residence of any other Consul or vice Consul of the United States in the said Kingdom, I have now the honor of enclosing you the...
93From Thomas Jefferson to John Barnes, 28 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 2d. inst. came to hand only last night, having been delayed by the failure of the post two weeks successively, to come, perhaps on account of ice and bad weather. I am sorry a want of form in the power inclosed prevented your drawing Mr. Short’s interest on the 1st. inst. and very thankful for your not suffering my bill to come back. The purpose as to Mr. Short was a very...
94From Thomas Jefferson to Josef Ignacio de Viar and Josef de Jaudenes, 11 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of State presents his Compliments to Messrs. Viar and Jaudenes, and informs them that the government of the United States having occasion to send public dispatches to their Commissioners plenipotentiary at the Court of Madrid, James Blake, a Citizen of the United States is employed as their Courier to be the Bearer of them. He is to embark on board the Ship bound from this port...
95From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Edwards, 14 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of the 4th. inst. The books you mention had come to hand and been regularly entered. I have assured myself by an examination of my own notes of letters recieved, made in the moment of recieving them, and also of the letters filed in the office, that no letter came with those books. In such cases, where there is no indication whither or how the certificate is to...
96From Thomas Jefferson to Anderson Bryan, 6 January 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my return home I learn that the survey under my order of council adjoining Edgehill has been curtailed by a younger entry and survey of Mr. James Marks now assigned to Colo. Harvie. You remember my notifying my order of council to you on your first coming into office, my pressing you perpetually to survey it, our frequent searches for the old lines by which it was to be bounded, and...
97From Thomas Jefferson to Stephen Cathalan, Jr., 22 June 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Having lately written you a public letter, this is merely to acknolege the receipt of your private one of Mar. 11. 1792. as also of the box of confectionary by the Louisa Capt. Brickland, the Brugnols by Captn. Moore and the olive and caper plants, in good condition; for all which attentions be pleased to accept my thanks, and with my best respects to all the members of your family, be assured...
98From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 20 January 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Short in a late letter says that your acquaintances in Panthemont complain excessively of your inattention to them and desired him to mention it. Matters there are going on well. The sales of the church lands are succesful beyond all calculation. There has been a riot in Paris in which M. de Castrie’s houshould furniture was destroyed. I am opening my things from Paris as fast as the...
99From Thomas Jefferson to Francisco Chiappe, 9 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Carmichael American chargé des affaires at Madrid has been so good as to send me a copy of your letter to Mr. Giuseppe Chiappe, informing him that his Imperial majesty had ordered the Schooner Proctor , American property, taken by one of his cruisers, to be released with the most flattering marks of his friendship. I beg leave through your channel, Sir, to bear witness to his imperial...
100From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 30 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 15th. came to hand yesterday. I am very thankful for the discretion you have exercised over the letter . That has happened to be the case which I knew to be possible, that the honest expressions of my feelings towards Mr. A. might be rendered mal-a-propos from circumstances existing and known at the seat of government, but not seen by me in my retired situation. Mr. A. and myself...