1Alexander Hamilton and Edmund Randolph to Thomas Jefferson, [13–15 May 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
A Perhaps the Secretary of State, revising the expression of this member of the sentence, will find terms to express his idea still more clearly and may avoid the use of a word of doubtful propriety “Contraventions.” B “but be attentive” C “mere” to be omitted D Considering that this Letter will probably become a matter of publicity to the world is it necessary to be so strong? Would not the...
2Memorandum from Alexander Hamilton and Edmund Randolph, [ca. 13–15 May 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
A Perhaps the Secretary of State, revising the expression of this member of the sentence, will find terms to express his idea still more clearly and may avoid the use of a word of doubtful propriety “Contraventions” B “but be attentive” C “mere” to be omitted D Considering that this Letter will probably become a matter of publicity to the world is it necessary to be so strong? Would not the...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, with Randolph’s Reply, 12 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to tell me what answer to give to the interrogatory in the last sentence of this letter? [ Reply by Randolph: ] I do not see any absolute, or indeed probably necessity for the ancient treaties. But I am not certain, that it may not be satisfactory to have those, made with the state governments; since some of the commissioners are new in this kind of business; and might...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, with a Memorandum by Jefferson, 9 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As your excellency and the council probably have not access to Vattel, on whose doctrines this hasty answer is founded, I shall inclose the paragraph from his work, which treats of the right of soldiery to booty. They seem to amount to this: that booty does in strictness belong to the commonwealth; but that late usage has divided it among the captors, military stores excepted. Now I believe,...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, with Jefferson’s Note, 30 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The return of Warder’s bills under protest has embarrassed me so much, as to make me request the favor of your name to the inclosed. You shall hear no more of it. [ Note by TJ: ] In consequence of the above I endorsed E.R’s note for 1000 D. payable at 60. days sight. RC ( MHi ); with TJ’s note subjoined; addressed: “Mr. Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 30 May 1793. Enclosure not found.
6To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, with Jefferson’s Note, 31 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The requisition of departure is, in my judgment, expressed in the most accurate and satisfactory manner possible. It gives me real pleasure to find the strong measure capable of such a softening of feature, while it retains full nerve. Were I to speak for myself, as an individual, I should assent with equal cordiality to the last clause. But I can’t help believing, that it would accord better...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 11 April 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
Knowing, that the President intended to answer your letter , relative to the shares in the two rivers, I did [not] think it necessary to trouble you with an assurance, that I would remind him of it. He tells me, that he has stated to you fully the arrangements, which he meditates. Mr. Short mentioned to me in his last dispatches, that he had proposed to you some time before your resignation a...
8Edmund Randolph’s Opinion on the Case of Gideon Henfield, 30 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Attorney general of the United States has the honor of submitting to the Secretary of State the following Opinion on the Case of Gideon Henfield, as represented by the Minister of France . 1. It may well be doubted, how far the Minister of France has a right to interfere. Henfield is a citizen of the United States; and it is unusual at least, that a foreign Power should interfere in a...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 31 August 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
No new Occurrence at Cambridge can justify an Intrusion on the well-employ’d Moments of a Delegate. I must, however, urge you, to assign a Reason for the Supineness of Virginia, amidst the Robberies, and other Violations of private Property, said to have been committed by Lord Dunmore. He plunders Custom-Houses, and reviews his Body-Guard at Gosport, unarrested. What is the Conclusion from...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 20 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
E. Randolph, with respectful compliments to Mr. Jefferson, takes the earliest opportunity, since the receipt of the decree against Johnson , of inclosing it. RC ( MHi ); endorsed by TJ as received 25 Dec. and so recorded in SJL . Enclosure not found. Randolph had represented TJ in a dispute with Richard Johnson over part of TJ’s Pouncey’s tract land ( Randolph to TJ, 16 Sep. ). On 23 Dec.,...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 3 May 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. John Ammonett, who will deliver this letter into your hands, is a descendant from one of the French refugees, patronized and fixed here by King William. He has persuaded himself, upon seeing some publication or other, that restitution is to be made of all the property, which was abandoned by his ancestor. I know not, what testimonies he possesses of his right to inherit, but presume that...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 28 August 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
Notwithstanding you have fenced out from the purlieus of Monticello every thing, which assumes a political Shape, you must permit me to bring before you a subject, once extremely near to your heart, often the employement of your pen, and always a deep interest to the United States. The delays, and evasions which you know to have been practised towards our Commissioners at Madrid , have at...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 2 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
There is, without doubt, a protection due to foreign built vessels, owned by American citizens ; altho’ they cannot claim the privileges, belonging to Vessels of the U.S. For the former are no less neutral property, than the latter. The usual evidence of the neutral ownership of vessels is a certificate from the officers of the customs; who may and in the papers, granted on clearing out,...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 27 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 27 July 1779 . Detailed account of Wayne’s capture of Stony Point on the Hudson, 15 July. Postscript reads: “You will oblige me much, by suggesting to me such reflections, as occur to you on the subject of peace: not on the propriety of making it, if possible, but on terms, necessary for America to insist on.” RC ( DLC ); 1 p. Printed in part: Conway, Edmund Randolph , p. 39–40.
15Edmund Randolph’s Opinion on George Turner, [ca. 17 April 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
To instruct Governor St. Clair 1. To transmit to Judge Turner any authentic intelligence, which he may have received, concerning the complaints of the people against his absence: 2. Or, if no such intelligence be possessed, to represent to Judge Turner, without undertaking to order in any manner, the inconvenience in a judicial view, which the Territory sustains by his absence: and 3. To...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 22 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Before the departure of the attorney of this district for Norfolk, I wrote to him, with his permission, a letter intended to be conveyed to the President of the United States, upon the subject of John Moss, who has lately received a sentence of ten stripes, and of imprisonment for four years, for robbing the mail at Petersburg. I know not, whether, in his hurry, he may not have forgotten to...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 25 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
We have been at cross purposes about the inclosed letter of July 24. 1793. in answer to Mr. Genets of the 9th. I am much mistaken, if my note intimated a doubt of its propriety. I certainly always approved it. My remarks as to delay were applicable to the answer to the inflammatory memorial ; to which General Knox suggested an addition. Is that some word omitted in the first sentence of the...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 7 September 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
By the last post I suggested to you that our European affairs would probably bear greater delay than you apprehended. What you call your temporary disability will be removed early enough, to allow you to reach France by January. From Colo. Laurens’s account I am induced to believe, that Great Britain will never admit an American plenipotentiary into the congress, before which a general...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 12 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter and proclamation of the governor of North Carolina seem to afford a proper ground for the belief, that future intrusions on the lands of the U.S. need not be apprehended. Concerning these therefore nothing is necessary on my part. I do not find any difficulty in saying, that as to those, which have already taken place, the right of the U.S. is complete, to institute prosecutions....
20To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 26 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The 14th. article of our treaty with France has shut out all general reasoning from the law of nations, on the memorial of Benjamin Holland and Peter Mackie. The flour and meal were actually shipped after the declaration of war, made by France on the 1st. of february 1793. If the inquiry was to depend on their knowledge of the declaration, their relief would be very doubtful at least. But as...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 28 January 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The new arrangement, to which my aversion to the law has lately given birth, throws me into a new scene, which leaves me at leisure to testify my respect for you, by transmitting any intelligence, occurring here, worthy of your notice. At present, however, political action has ceased, and this state is in perfect tranquillity; the assembly having risen about a fortnight ago, and the public...
22To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 22 February 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
The council board has been so much crouded with business of late, that I could not procure an order for the removal of Goodrich to Albemarle, ‘till this morning. I should not have delayed to comply with the resolution of Assembly so long, had it not been necessary to examine him in the county, in which it is supposed he committed the crime. The order for his removal went by express to day to...
23Edmund Randolph’s Opinion on the Theft of Slaves from Martinique, 1 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The attorney-general of the United States has the honor of replying to the communication of the Secretary of State, on the 28th. Ultimo, concerning the proceedings of Captain Hickman, in bringing away from Martinique certain slaves, the property of residents there. Judging from the documents, which have been forwarded to him, the Attorney-general would not hesitate to pronounce, that a theft...
24Edmund Randolph’s Opinion on Sureties for Mint Officers, 6 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The attorney-general of the U. S. to the secretary of state The fifth section of the act , establishing a mint , directs, that the assayer, chief coiner, and treasurer, previously to entering upon the execution of their respective offices, shall each become bound to the U. S. with one or more sureties, in the sum of 10,000 dollars, with condition for the faithful and diligent performance of...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 9 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I cannot suffer my engagements in business, to interfere with a reply to the observations, with which you favored me, on the proposed letter to the collectors. For while I shall support, within my limited sphere, every just energy of government; I am solicitous, that my friends should ever believe, that I do support it, because it contributes to the essence of republicanism, and our fœderal...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 15 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
My communications to you in the case of Pagan against Hooper, combined with the facts, which have since occurred, will support me in saying, that as the law-officer of the United States, I have contributed every thing in my power to the relief of Pagan. You will recollect, that counsel was employed by him to move for a writ of error: that the first application was refused: that upon...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 13 November 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Carrington, who is a defendant in the suit, brought by your Relation Jefferson vs. Reade’s administrators , obtained an order at the last court, that he, as being nonresident, should give security for costs at the next Term. Will you be so good, as to inform him of this, if he is within the circle of your correspondence? Be pleased to add, that dismission is the penalty on non compliance...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 15 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your mission to Europe reached us the day before yesterday, and made me doubt whether you will not have sailed before my answer to your friendly letter by the last post shall get to hand. I had begun to transcribe for you the manuscript defence of our claim to western territory. I shall pursue the task, and forward it by some opportunity across the Atlantic. It is probable, that you will have...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 21 November 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
While I supposed, that every thing was completed by Mr. Morris relative to Mr. Short’s money, for which he (Mr. M.) gave me his note for stock in 1794, I have been deceived. Immediately I obtained from Mr. Lyons and Mr: Pendleton, who hold six per cent stock the inclosed assumpsit for £2,000 within thirty pounds; which you will find satisfactory; as it is certain. I am the absolute owner of...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 8 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge your favor, of the 28th. of December, on the subject of John Moss. Some of the difficulties which you were pleased to suggest, had occurred to my self; but that which I now remove by the inclosed copy of the judgment, was supposed by me to have been obviated by a communication from the attorney of the District. With the application for mercy, you would never,...