4221From Thomas Jefferson to Meriwether Jones, 19 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your favor of the 15th. I have but a single copy of the pamphlet you ask for, and that is bound up in a volume of pamphlets of the same year and making one of a long suite of volumes of the same nature I mention this to impress you with the value I set on the volume as part of the history of the times, and to justify a request of attention in the use and return of it. it...
4222To James Madison from Justin Pierre Plumard Derieux, 15 December 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Justin Pierre Plumard Derieux. 15 December 1805, Greenbriar Court house. “My cousin Plumard of Nantz inform’d me that he had remitted to the Commercial Agent of that Town, a Small sum to Forward to me through your hands. I hope you will be so good as to excuse that liberty, and oblige me in sending it to me in Small notes on the Bank of the United States as I should found extremely...
4223From Thomas Jefferson to Cornelia Jefferson Randolph, 26 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I congratulate you, my dear Cornelia, on having acquired the invaluable art of writing. how delightful to be enabled by it to converse with an absent friend, as if present. to this we are indebted for all our reading; because it must be written before we can read it. to this we are indebted for the Iliad, the Aeneid, the Columbiad, Henriade, Dunciad, and now for the most glorious poem of all,...
4224To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Warren, 10 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor some months since to address a letter of thanks to you for the intended honor of an appointment as Collector for the Port of Marblehd. I recieved from General Dearborn an intimation of this your intention, & was highly flattered with your notice & consideration. It was with extreme reluctance that I could bring my mind to decline any appointment conferred by you, under an...
4225To James Madison from Robert W. Fox, 9 June 1803 (Madison Papers)
I am favored with thy printed letter of the 9 April & also this morning a duplicate thereof via Liverpool. In consequence of thy directions I have sent to the different Ports in my district to obtain the needful information. For the present, perhaps it may be proper to inform thee that American shipping pay double the Light money that English Ships do. All other Shipping are on the same...
4226Topics for Consultation with Heads of Departments, 10 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Sy. War . Wafford’s settlemt . qu. if Indns. wd accept rent? instruct Meigs to bring settlemt. of Cherokee road to an end settle Wafford’s affair. Wilkinson & Dinsmore to purchase above Yazoo of Choctaws to examine our rt betw. Tombigbee , Alibama Harrison to buy of Kaskaskias of the Pioria chief
4227To Thomas Jefferson from Gideon Granger, 19 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I designed to have called and taken leave of you before my departure from Washington but a press of Company at my Office prevented till after your usual hours for morning Visits and I was unwilling to disturb the moments of conviviality in the Evening. I tarried two days in Baltimore and also in Philadelphia in both of which places I am fully convinced the Embargo is approved of by the...
4228To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Glen, 21 March 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
Albany, March 21, 1801. Repeats earlier requests to Hamilton. States: “I wrote you twice from the City of Washington but mist you going to Alby. & yesterday I came down to this City on purpose But you had Saild. about 2-Hours.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Glen to H, January 27, 1801 . The other letter from Glen has not been found. H had been in Albany attending the New York...
4229To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Munroe, 31 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of enclosing for your Signature a warrant for $10,000; the balance in my hands, towit about $1000 of the $20,000 heretofore drawn being insufficient to meet the Expenses of the present month which will be demanded in a few days.— I also enclose Sketches of the Expenditures since the Account last rendered , which was up to the first of July.— The Expenses on the Streets will I...
4230To James Madison from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 11 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
On my arrival here, I found that the District Attorney was at Princeton, & I determined if Burr had not left the city to apply immediately for a warrant & arrest him for treason, so as to secure & have him sent on in custody to Richmond for trial, unless some good natured judge released him upon Hab. Corpus. He has been obli ged in order to elude the Sheriff’s officers who ha ve been in for...
4231To Thomas Jefferson from John Mason, 7 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Having this day sent in my Resignation, to Mr. Madison as Commissioner of the Cumberland-Road, I feel that, I owe to you some personal explanation on that head— In the beleif that I could have rendered Services in that business, I undertook the Duty you were pleased to assign me, with great chearfulness, looked forward to its Execution, with much pleasure, and was successfully making my...
4232From James Madison to Henry Hill Jr., 19 April 1805 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 4th inst, has been duly received and in consequence of its suggestions, I inclose a letter to the Governor of Cuba informing him of your appointment and touching the subject of captures. Your Commission, superseding that of Mr Josiah Blakely at St Jago, you will intimate it to him on your arrival, giving him at the same time to understand, that his removal was the result of...
4233To James Madison from George W. Erving, 31 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
The disappointment of Mr. Dawson as to h is passage, & his consequent return to London a se cond time, Enables me to forward by him the en closed statements; not having expected so immediate and favorable opportunity I have been so mewhat hurried; a further & more minute ex amination may discover some small Errors or omissions. Th ere can be scarcely any such that are important. I hope these...
4234From Thomas Jefferson to David Gelston, 14 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of May 26. was recieved on my return to this place. I have no information of a plough destined for me from England. but the Agricultural society of Paris informed me some time ago that they should send a plough for me to one of the ports of France, as a model. I presume this is the plough arrived, and that the vessel may have been carried into England. of the cost I know nothing,...
4235To James Madison from John Cotton Smith, 23 February 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 February 1804 , “ Committee-room .” “I am directed by the committee of claims to transmit to you the petition of William Eaton, late Consul at Tunis, and the documents accompanying it. The committee are strongly impressed with a belief that the case comes fairly within executive cognizance, and of course that no legislative interference can be necessary. If you entertain the same view of...
4236To James Madison from William Shippen, 23 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor of receiving a line of the 2nd. Current from the Secretary of the Treasury stating the measure of caution that he had adopted in consequence of a report of the Paris Police which had reached your department to the prejudice of Mr. George Howell. Respecting our Institutions for the preservation of every right I can not but wish that a fair opportunity may be given to Mr. Howell...
4237To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 19 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The art of secret writing, or, as it is usually termed, writing in cypher , has occasionally engaged the attention both of the states-man & philosopher for many ages; and yet I believe it will be acknowledged, by all who are acquainted with the present state of this art, that it is still far short of perfection. A perfect cypher, as it appears to me, should possess the following properties.—...
4238To James Madison from James Anderson, 11 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to transmit Your Excellency, by John Shaw Esquire of th e Navy, who came into this port a few days past from New Orleans on his Way to Washington; an imperfect Copy of the Arrivals & clearances of American Vessels, since I took charge of the Agency, which commenced on the twenty fift day of March last, and ending the thirtieth ultimo. I beseech You, Sir, to grant me Your...
4239From Thomas Jefferson to Napoleon Bonaparte, 18 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
To testify to you the sincerity of the Government of the United States in its negotiations, I have transmitted to Oliver Ellsworth and William Vans Murray, two of the late Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary of the United States to the French Republic, the ratification of the Convention between the said States and the French Republic, signed at Paris on the 30th day of September...
4240To Thomas Jefferson from Dabney Carr, 16 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
A bond of Mr Perry’s to Mrs Carter, for the hire of some negroes, has been put into my hands for collection—to discharge this, he has drawn the inclosed draft on you—If it be correct, you will be so good as to accept it, & return it to me. My mother who is with me, requests to be mentioned affectionately to you. Yrs &c ViU .
4241To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 22 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have nothing to add to the letters just sent you by the way of Baltimore but the enclosed note just recieved —from this you will find that the construction given to the second article of the convention differs materially from ours & will if supported greatly narrow the ground of our claims. You will also see in it rather an evasion of the points I have pressed them upon than an answer to...
4242From Thomas Jefferson to William Duane, 23 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of the 10th. and shall always be thankful for any information you will favor me with, interesting to our affairs, & particularly which may enable me to understand the differences of opinion & interest which seem to be springing up in Pensva., & to be subjects of uneasiness. if that state splits it will let us down into the abyss. I hope so much from the...
4243To James Madison from the Marqués de Someruelos, 7 September 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From the Marqués de Someruelos. 7 September 1805 . By the schooner Rose , Capt. [ illegible ] Bolton, received on 8 July JM ’s letter of 11 June with a copy of another written to the marqués de Casa Yrujo, both relating to JM ’s complaint about the seizure of the frigate Huntress , which is said to have been by a Spanish privateer, while the Huntress was carrying munitions to the...
4244From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Willson Peale, 7 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his friendly salutations to mr Peale and sends him a recruit for the fund of his grandson of fifty dollars in an order of the US. bank here on that at Philadelphia. he will take care to do the same monthly, and if at any time it shall be necessary to enlarge it, he will do it on the first intimation recieved from mr Peale. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
4245To James Madison from Anthony Merry (Abstract), 28 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
28 May 1805, Washington . “When I had the Honor to reply on the 12th: of April to your Letter of the 9th: of that Month which, among other Things, related to the Impressment, by His Majesty’s Sloop Busy, of Martin George from the American Schooner Henrietta; I mentioned that I should not fail to write immediately respecting that object to the Commander of that Sloop’s Superior officer. “I have...
4246To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 26 January 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Sylvanus Bourne. 26 January 1806, Amsterdam. “In transmitting the within [not found] I avail myself of the occasion to mention that notwithstanding all my efforts to inspire in the minds of the publick Officers a due confidence in the truth & purity of the Bills of Health which our Vessells bring from the UStates they have not been received as evidence & our Navigation has of course...
4247To James Madison from William Loughton Smith, 7 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 April 1801, Lisbon. Conveys news of British blockade of Toulon and discusses different accounts of Abercromby’s expedition. Reports that Portuguese church patriarch had published a vehement attack on Spanish and called for defense of the country before government realized no British aid would be available to it; the statement now has been suppressed. Portuguese prefer to negotiate peace with...
4248To James Madison from John Lamson, 22 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
I last addressed You Under date of the 18. March, since which I have Nothing of importance to communicate. I avail myself however of this favorable oppertunity, direct for America of enclosing You a list of all the American Vessells that have ever visited this port and as far as information could be obtained I beleive it is correct. Of the situation of the squadron of the United States in...
4249To Thomas Jefferson from Pseudonym: "One of the Worthless Part of Community", 14 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
by this time you have Recd. all Communication from your Worthy Ministers at foriegn Courts & you must of Course be Convinced that your Experimental Embargo has Not that Intended Effect that you & your French & Democratic renagades Expected— how Wonderfull is the Disappointment to your advocates in N York— many of your friends Cried out what an excelent thing was the Embargo.—Greate Wisdom in...
4250From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Priestley, 29 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Oct. 29. was recieved in due time, and I am very thankful for the extract of mr Stone’s letter on the subject of Alexander. the apparition of such a man on a throne is one of the phaenomena which will distinguish the present epoch so remarkeable in the history of man. but he must have an Herculean task to devise and establish the means of securing freedom & happiness to those who...
4251From William Stephens Smith to John Quincy Adams, 22 December 1804 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for the perusal of the Bill, For establishing rules and articles for the Government of the Armies of the United States— I think the 24th. article not sufficiently explicit—It furnishes the superior officer with an opportunity of punishing an inferior without redress, the arresting officer being the sole judge of what speaches are reproachful, and what gestures are provoking—He may...
4252To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 15 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I was much disappointed in finding this morning that you were gone; for I had understood that you did not set off till to morrow. There were three points only on which I wished your decision. 1st. Revenue cutters . How many new armed ones shall be provided, one, two, or three? & what shall be their forces? the greatest which is allowed which will be about 130 tons 12 guns (sixes) & 70 men?, or...
4253To James Madison from Levett Harris, 4 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to transmit You the herewith inclosed Copy of a declaration of this Court explaining the present state of its relations with that of Sweden, which was communicated to me by the Imperial Ministry the 13 Ult. As our intercourse with England through Sweden is now at an end, I have no means of writing You but by way of France or Holland, from whence opportunities to the United...
4254To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 23 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
From some late circumstances, I have reason to believe that neither Mr Priestley’s directions nor mine to transmit to you a copy of the memoirs of his father’s life have been complied with, though a set was appropriated for you to be sent at the first moment of publication. If you have not received one, be good enough to let me know: it will be a cause of much chagrin to Mr Priestley and...
4255To Thomas Jefferson from Mary Jefferson Eppes, 24 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
It makes me blush to think of the length of time which has elaps’d since I wrote to you last My Dear Papa, deprived for 6 weeks of the use of my hands , I was after recovering them so closely employ’d with work which during that time had greatly accumulated that without intending it it has been postponed ’till now, I have only thought the more of you My Dear Papa, of that I hope you need never...
4256From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 14 November 1803 (Madison Papers)
To avoid the expence to which we are exposed for the rent of Houses for the messengers of the Departments of State, War and navy, General post office and of the accountants of the War and navy Departments, & to provide against accidents of fire to the Buildings occupied by these Departments we conceive that it would be expedient for Congress to make provision for building six small brick...
4257From Thomas Jefferson to John Strode, 11 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Nothing is so common as to see men value themselves most for what they know least about. in truth ignorance is always the parent of vanity. this accounts for my valuing myself on the invention of a mould-board for a plough and venturing to submit it to your judgment. in a small box which went by my cart from hence two days ago I sent you two models, and the block to shew how they were made. I...
4258From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 29 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of state, charged with the civil affairs of the several territories of the United States, has recieved from the Marshal of Columbia a statement of the condition, unavoidably distressing, of the persons committed to his custody on civil or criminal process, and the urgency for some legislative provisions for their relief . there are other important cases wherein the laws of the...
4259To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 15 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Io non saprei a che attribuire la total mancanza di sue lettere, dopo quelle del 29 Aprile 1800, e 17 Marzo 1801. Per quanto sento, arrivarono a salvamento nei porti degli S.U. quei bastimenti che portavano le mie lettere, datate come segue. 5 Febbraio, 2 Luglio, 30 detto, 28 7bre, e 15 9bre 1801, 10 Aprile, 17 detto 1802, 15 Febbraio, 15 Aprile, 20 Maggio, 25 8bre 1803, con un aggiunta del 27...
4260To Thomas Jefferson from John Page, 6 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknowledge the Receipt of your highly flattering & friendly Letter , & to return as I do my best Thanks for it. That you should have proposed to hold me up as worthy of being the Successor of Rittenhouse in the Office of Director of the Mint, is to my Feelings in my present Situation highly gratifying, & to be informed of this in the manner I was, has afforded me much Consolation....
4261To James Madison from Louis-André Pichon, 7 May 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 May 1802, Georgetown. Acknowledges JM’s letter of 6 May ; will write to Leclerc on the subject of it at the first opportunity. Assures JM that the general in chief, when he sees the impressions his actions have produced, will speedily make the reparations due to the U.S. RC ( DNA : RG 59, NFL , France, vol. 1); letterpress copy of RC ( DLC : Jefferson Papers); Tr ( NHi : Livingston Papers).
4262I. Address of Handsome Lake, [10 March 1802] (Jefferson Papers)
I thank the Great Spirit above that I have a very bright day to talk with the Great Chief of our White Brothers—It is the Great Spirit’s doings he has appointed me for that purpose—The Great Spirit looks down upon us— The Great Spirit has appointed four Angels and appointed me the fifth, to direct our people on earth—I thank the Great Spirit that the Great Chief of my White brothers is well &...
4263To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 20 February 1807 (Madison Papers)
Previous to the receipt of this letter, you will have heard of the escape of Col. Burr from the Mississippi Territory, and of the reward offered by Governor Williams for his apprehension. The reports are variant as to the course Colo: Burr may pursue in his flight. One conjecture is, that he is making to the sea Coast, & from thence to Europe; another, that he has gone to the City of...
4264To James Madison from Dolley Madison, 1 November 1805 (Madison Papers)
I have great pleasure, my beloved in repeating to you what the Doctor has just now said, that the knee would be well in one day more and in two or three I might begin to ride—so that I may reasonably hope that a fortnight more will be the extent of my stay in Philadelphia, I am so impatient to be restored to you. I wish you would indulge me with some information respecting the war with Spain...
4265To Thomas Jefferson from Daniel D. Tompkins, 5 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to introduce to your acquaintance Mr. Elisha Jenkins Secretary of this State. He is a Gentlemen of the first respectability here and a uniform and decided friend and supporter of your administration. Any attentions you may be pleased to shew him will be deemed a favour conferred upon me. Accept Sir, an assurance of my respect and esteem. MHi : Coolidge Collection.
4266To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 26 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I find upon enquiry that the State of New York did in the year 1800, obtain credit, under the several acts of Congress respecting the fortifications of harbours, for a sum of 222,810 dollars, by that State expended in fortifying the islands in the harbour. The accounts &c. will be transcribed by to morrow and transmitted to you so as to enable you to make an official answer to the House— With...
4267To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 15 March 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 15 March 1806, New Orleans. “The Carrier of the Mail of the United States, from hence to Fort Stoddart, by the way of the Lake, is now in my office, and reports—that, on his arrival at the Town of Mobile, he waited upon Governor Folche, who informed him that the mail would not be permitted to pass by water—upon which the Carrier asked and received permission to...
4268To James Madison from John Henry Purviance, 19 October 1804 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor to address you a short letter on the 10th. instant, merely to acquaint you with Mr. Monroe’s departure from this on the 8th. and of the favorable prospect of his landing speedily in Holland. I have not yet received that intelligence, tho’ I hourly expect it. I am now to inform you of the receipt this day of your dispatch of the 20. of July, enclosing various correspondences,...
4269From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, 21 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 14th. was recieved on the 18th. and this goes by the return of the first post, that which brought it not affording time for an answer. No. 2. in the draught mr King was so kind as to send me is exactly what Dr. Thornton explained to me as the original design except that he did not mention the two middle rows of trees, but only the two outer ones on each side: and, omitting...
4270To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 6 November 1808 (Madison Papers)
In compliance with your instructions, William Liddle was indicted, in the Circuit Court of the United States, for an assault and battery, upon Don Ignacio Peres de Lema (a gentleman discharging the duties of the Secretary of the Legation from Spain) under the 28: section of the Act of the 30. of April 1790. At the trial, the Counsel for the Defendant urged, 1o. That, on the evidence, Don de...