51From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 13 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
1. the ship Aurora, Capt. Rand. provisions, lumber, & naval stores being the articles on which we rely most for effect during our embargo, Rand’s loading, as to the great mass of it’s articles, seems not to render his case suspicious. keeping therefore the articles of provisions lumber & naval stores within their regular limits, I see no objection to a permit in the character of his cargo: and...
52From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 3 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
A press of business has prevented my sooner taking up the 3. bundles of papers now returned, and even now, I judge of them from the Brief you have been so good as to make so fully. this is an immense relief to me. 1. the Wabash Saline. I think the applications from Nashville Etc. for a share of the salt had better not be complied with. I suspect we did wrong in yielding a similar privilege to...
53From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 30 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The accounts of the reciepts and expenditures during the year ending on the 30th. day of Sep. last, being not yet made up, a correct statement will here after be transmitted from the treasury. in the mean time it is ascertained that the reciepts have amounted to 17,950,000 near 18. millions of Dollars, which with the eight millions & an half in the treasury at the beginning of the year, have...
54From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 30 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the financial paragraph with your amendments. I shall insert one on the militia, but doubt whether I can say any thing about the deficiency of the revenue if the embargo is continued, having declined expressing any opinion on it’s continuance. the whole of the paragraphs respecting our foreign affairs will be to be remodelled in consequence of the return of the Hope. the...
55From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 27 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I intended to have sent the former papers respecting Gibbs, Chingoteague & the Folly landing to mr Smith for perusal; but without thought at the moment I returned them to you. if you will let me have them again I will get him to peruse them & confer about them. if the embargo is to be continued I am persuaded we must enlarge his number of seamen & employ more gunboats. NHi : Papers of Albert...
56From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 25 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In the case of the Schooner Anne carried off forcibly by a British crew, I think the removal of the Inspector should be permitted to take place. the Collector should be instructed to communicate from time to time all circumstances which may enable us to trace the vessel, and copies of these papers should be furnished to mr Madison to furnish him the grounds of an answer to the British...
57From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 21 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The case of the Martinique petitioners. I think it wrong to detain foreigners caught here by the embargo. but in permitting them to take our vessels to return in, we do what is a matter of favor, not of right. of course we can restrict them to a tonnage proportioned to their numbers. in the transport service I believe the allowance is 2. tons to every person. we may allow a little more room....
58From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 19 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Is the case proposed by mr Wolcott left by the law at the discretion of anybody? the law makes it the duty of the Collector to detain if he suspects an intention to export to a foreign market, à fortiori if that intention be avowed . it is true that the first step proposed is only to go to another district, but declared to be preparatory to an exportation to the West Indies. it is true also...
59From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 18 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I think that none of the circumstances preceding the passage of the Embargo law stated by M. Lorent, make any part of his case. the misfortunes entering into the preceding history of that property, not flowing from any act of this government, authorize no claims on it. the embargo law excepted from it’s own operation articles then laden on board a foreign ship, without distinguishing between...
60From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 16 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Collector of Detroit. I think the liberal construction of the letter of May 2. as explained in the Collector’s letter, had better be permitted to go on, sub silentio, as the contrary would be vexatious & unprofitable, and might excite a spirit of counter-vexation in the English. McKim’s application is inadmissible, and Genl. Smith would be far from himself approving such a departure from rule,...
61From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 14 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
As we know that Sullivan’s licences have overstocked the wants of the Eastern states, with flour; the proposal to carry more there is of itself suspicious, and therefore even regular traders ought not to be allowed. their regular trade was to supply flour for exportation as well as consumption. if the rule of the sixth (or eighth I believe) is extended to them the supply will be kept up...
62From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 10 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I really think Cross ought to be immediately removed: the clearance in our possession is evidence enough of the fact. but are we provided with a successor. Hook & Reed should I think be called on to shew cause why they should not be removed. can there not be appeals from the decision of that judge? I propose to appoint Benjamin Harrison Comr. of loans for Virginia if you approve of it, &...
63From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 5 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In the case of the brig Hieram, I think with you that no permission can be given to renew the voyage. the party has not lost his voyage by any inevitable accident, but by the fraud of those he employed & over whose conduct it was his duty to watch, & has been his negligence not to have done so. if once we give up the responsibility of the employer for those he employs, the door to fraud can...
64From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 4 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the papers in the cases of two vessels at Bermuda Hundred under a suggestion of an intended evasion of the embargo. they will explain the whole case on which you will be pleased to decide and direct in conformity with the established course. also a petn from the starving inhabitants of Passamaquoddy, who I had supposed could not want flour for 7. years to come. the former case...
65From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 20 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of Sep. 10. & 14. were recieved yesterday, and my time being brief, my answer must be so. Brig Betsy, & the Aurora. the first having put back by stress of weather & inevitable necessity, ought, I think, to be permitted to sail again; but not so the Aurora which put back merely because the Captain was a fool. they have lost their chance by their own folly, and have no claim to be...
66From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 16 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 3d. & 8th. were recieved yesterday, & I return you all the papers they covered, excepting the recommendations from Cincinnati, which the short delay of the post does not permit me to look into but in time for the next post. the successor to Alger of Georgia, recommended by was appointed after 3. or 4. weeks delay & no other application being recieved. I suspect that Soderstrom’s...
67From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 13 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a copy of my letter to Theus, which goes on by this day’s post. also a letter from Wm. Gamble of the neighborhood of the falls of Niagara, for information. considering that I shall leave this for Washington on the 27th. or 28th. and that no communication made to you after this date could be answered to this place, I shall reserve the future for our meeting at Washington. I salute...
68From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 9 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your two letters of the 2d inst. were recd. yesterday afternoon, and I now return you Penniman’s & Gray’s papers & the N.O. petition. Penniman’s conduct deserves marked approbation, and there should be no hesitation about the expences reasonably incurred. if all these people are convicted, there will be too many to be punished with death. my hope is that they will send me full statements of...
69From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 5 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you an application from Josiah Deane and others suggesting connivance in the collector of Dighton at the evasion of the embargo laws. altho suspicion attaches itself to the motives of the suggestion, so does it also to every federal collector and wherever they permit their party passions to slacken their vigilance in the execution of the laws, I will not hesitate to remove them....
70From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 2 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the cases of Thorndike of Mass. & Barney of R.I. recieved by yesterday’s post, which appearing to have nothing taking them out of the common rule, you will be pleased to dispose of them according to that. Thorndike’s ground is that he was out of the state of Mass. during the whole time permits were allowed. if he had been out of the US. the case would have merited consideration:...
71From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 30 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 23d. was recieved yesterday. your letter in which Coquerel’s case was mentioned was recieved by me on the 15th. it was not noticed in my answer to you of that day, because I wished to give it particular consideration. it was answered by the next post in my letter of the 19th. which I presume you recieved on the 24th. I inclose you the applications from Callahan & Bagneris which...
72From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 26 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 17th. was recieved only yesterday. it ought to have come by the preceding post. I mention the delay of your letters, as you may perhaps know how it happens. Smissaert’s case. the exportation of these doits was refused before, & I see no reason for a change of opinion. they are understood to be private property. if they were public, we might on a principle of comity permit their...
73From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 23 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the letter of a mr Shuter asking permission to send a vessel to Lima. in this you will be pleased to do according to rule, the case presenting no circumstance to entitle itself to an exemption. Also the letter of Stephen Cross of Newbury port suggesting laxity in his brother the Collector, and a spirit of resistance to the laws in the place. Lastly an anonymous letter from N.Y....
74From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 19 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of Aug. 3. which ought to have been here on the 8th. was not recieved till yesterday. it has loitered somewhere therefore 10. days, during which 3 mails have been recieved. I proceed to it’s contents. Somes’s case. The rule agreed to at our meeting of June 30. was general that no permissions should be granted for Europe, Asia or Africa: and there is nothing in Somes’s case to entitle it...
75From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 15 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 6th. & 9th. are just now recieved, as well as a letter from Govr. Tompkins on the subject of aiding the revenue officers on the Canada line with militia. I refer you on this subject to my answer to him, & pray you to encourage strongly his going to the spot himself & acting according to the urgencies which will present themselves there. should you have satisfactory evidence of...
76From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 11 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters of July 29. & Aug. 5. came to hand yesterday and I now return you those of Wynne, Wolsey, Quincey, Otis, Lincoln, & Dearborne. This embargo law is certainly the most embarrassing one we have ever had to execute. I did not expect a crop of so sudden & rank growth of fraud & open opposition by force could have grown up in the US. I am satisfied with you that if orders & decrees are...
77From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 9 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose for your information letters from General Dearborne, P. D. Sargeant & Elisha Tracy on the infractions of the embargo, and their ideas on the means of remedy. I pass them through the hands of the Secretary of the Navy with a request that he will in concert with you give all the aid for the enforcement of the law which his department can afford. I think the conduct of Jordan at...
78From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 6 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
On the subject of the Western road, our first error was the admitting a deviation to Brownsville, and thus suffering a first encroachment on it’s principle. this is made a point d’appui to force a second, and I am told a third holds itself in reserve. so that a few towns in that quarter seem to consider all this expence as undertaken merely for their benefit. I should have listened to these...
79From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 5 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you 1. Dalton’s letter praying permission to send a vessel for property, on which you will be pleased to do for him what is done for others. 2. Trenchard’s from Passamaquoddy, & Williamson’s and Leonard’s from Barataria, merely for information of the state of things in those quarters. these letters belonging to the Navy department be so good as to return them to Mr. Smith direct. 3....
80From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 29 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter of information of what is passing on the Canada line. to prevent it is I suppose beyond our means; but we must try to harrass the unprincipled agents and punish as many as we can. I transmit also the petition of Tyson & James, millers of Baltimore for permission to send a load of flour to N. Orleans, to direct in it what is regular, for I do not see any circumstance in...
81From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 25 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the petition of Somes to do on it whatever is agreeable to general rule. Punqua Winchung, the Chinese mandarin, has I believe his headquarters at N. York, and therefore his case is probably known to you. he came to Washington just as I had left it, and therefore wrote to me praying permission to depart for his own country with his property in a vessel to be engaged by himself. I...
82From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 19 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter from an applicant for the Reciever’s Office at Steubenville, who says that Biggs has resigned. this fact is not otherwise known to me. if true, who ought to be appointed, and may the appointment be deferred till we meet again. I send you also information of the habitual breaches of the embargo laws on the Canada line. an extract of my letter to Charles Pinckney is...
83From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 16 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to read my letter to mr Smith, and then seal & send it with your own to the Post office? also to read the within rough draught to Genl. Sullivan & suggest any alterations you think proper. when mr Rodney’s opinion shall be printed I shall be glad a few copies, say half a dozen or a dozen. Affectionate salutations. NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
84From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 12 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
1. Peyton Skipwith’s letter. I approve of the proposition to authorize the Collector of St. Mary’s or Savanna to permit vessels to bring to St. Mary’s such supplies as in his opinion are really wanted for the individuals applying, and where he has entire confidence no fraud will be committed. but the vessels should be reasonably proportioned to the cargo. should this be extended to...
85From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 4 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Genl. Turreau’s application for two vessels to carry French subjects to France must, I think, be granted, because under present circumstances we ought not on slight grounds to dissatisfy either belligerent. the vessels may be back before winter, and their only danger will be of stoppage by the English, who however have no right but to take out the French subjects. At the same time, I think it...
86From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 2 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In the case of the seamen left on Trinity isld. would it not be well to engage the identical seamen who left them? NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
87From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 29 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of a consultation with the Heads of Departments tomorrow at 11. Oclock, & that they will do him the favor to dine with him. NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
88From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 28 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The circumstances in the cases of the Flensburg & Gregoire are so strong as to leave little doubt of fraud. it might be well to send copies of these letters to the French minister & Danish Consul. their respect for themselves will prevent further urgency NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
89From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 27 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your’s of the 23d. and now return you Woolsey’s & Astor’s letters. I send you one also which I have recieved from a mr Thorn on the evasions of the embargo on L. Champlain. the conduct of some of our officers there and of some excellent citizens has been very meritorious, and I will thank you to express any degree of approbation you think proper in my name for Capt. Mayo....
90From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 24 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter from Colo. Tatham recommending a Revd. mr Irving to be joined with himself in the survey of the coast, that you may avail yourself of any opportunity of enquiring into his fitness. can you give me any information as to the case of the Lowries stated in the within papers? I do not certainly see what they ask of me. if a pardon, and the case be proper for it, other...
91From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 20 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you the papers of Fanning, Lesdernier & Sacket. with respect to Fanning’s case, the true key for the construction of every thing doubtful in a law, is the intention of the law-makers. this is most safely gathered from the words, but may be sought also in extraneous circumstances provided they do not contradict the express words of the law. we certainly know the legislature meant that...
92From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 17 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 16th. came to hand last night. as the lead mines do not press in point of time, I would rather they should be the subject of a conversation on my return. it is not merely a question about the terms we have to consider, but the expediency of working them. as to the Savanna revenue cutter I approve of the proposition in your letter or whatever else you may think best to be done. the...
93From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 16 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Since writing my letter of yesterday I have prepared the draught of a circular to the Governors not before addressed, under which I mean to cover the printed copies of that of May 6. which I have requested you to send me. this draught I inclose for your perusal. I salute you affectionately. NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin. The numerous & bold evasions of the several embargo laws threatened...
94From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 15 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday the inclosed letter from a mr Wood of New York. I should suppose the fruits of Europe stood nearly on the ground of the Dry goods of Europe, not tempting evasion by exorbitant prices, nor defeating the object of the embargo in any important degree, even if a deviation should take place. I send it to yourself for decision and answer, in order that there may be an uniformity...
95From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 6 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In the outset of the business of Detentions, I think it impossible to form precise rules. after a number of cases shall have arisen, they may probably be thrown into groupes & subjected to rules. the great leading object of the legislature was, and ours in execution of it ought to be, to give compleat effect to the embargo laws. they have bidden Agriculture, Commerce, Navigation to bow before...
96From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 30 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
case of the Flensburg. Our laws permit a foreigner to hold any property in our country except lands. a foreigner may contract for a ship to be built for him, so that she will be his from the time of laying the keel, or he may contract so as that she shall be his only when launched, or when rigged Etc. the act of delivery to him or his agent fixes in that case the moment when she becomes his...
97From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 23 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The leading object of the inclosed application from the owners of the Topaz, is to send witnesses & documents to save the property of the ship & cargo siesed. but as the Topaz would be insufficient to bring home the whole property, if cleared, the permission to send a vessel may be on the ordinary ground of bringing home the property. but do the restrictions of the embargo laws (for I have...
98From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 23 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
My ideas on the questions relative to the Active, letter of marque stated in your letter of yesterday, are as follows. 1. Letters of marque have been considered ever since the decisions of 1793. to be of a mixed character, but that the commercial character predominates; and as a commercial vessel of private property we have in some case, since the proclamation of July, considered them as not...
99From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 22 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Did I lend you the Pensylvania act permitting our Western road to cross through that state? if I did, or if you have a copy of it I shall be very glad to see it. mr Hoge gave me notice yesterday that there would be legal opposition to that road’s passing in any other direction than through Washington, their construction being that if in fact a good road can be got by Washington the law obliges...
100From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 20 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I am giving in my last nominations to the Senate. the place of Surveyor at Richmond having become vacant during their session must be filled during the same. two persons are proposed, William Wardlaw, & Ryland Randolph, both excellent men & republicans, well known to me personally: the former a Medical man, at his ease, the latter in want, of higher standing, and probably would be quite...