121To John Jay from Edmund Randolph, 29 March 1792, enclosing Act of the Board of Trustees of the Sinking Fund, [26 March] … (Jay Papers)
I have the honor to inclose to you an act of the board of trustees; and am, sir, with very great esteem and respect, y r . mo[st]. ob[edient] ser v . At a meeting of the trustees of the sinking fund on the 26 th . day of march 1792— Present the Vice President, secretary of state, secretary of the treasury, and attorney-general of the United States. This board, having been equally divided at...
122To John Jay from Edmund Randolph, 12 November 1794 (Jay Papers)
In my public Letter of this date, you will find every thing of an official Nature, which we are able to communicate at present. Your private favor of the 13 th . of September last brings with it the satisfactory conviction, that I have not misplaced my confidence in your candor. You may be assured, that, as in the whole of our diplomatic connection hitherto, I have arrived at every...
123To John Jay from Edmund Randolph, 8 March 1795 (Jay Papers)
At 7 o’clock yesterday evening, M r . Blaney delivered to me the very important dispatches, which you had consigned to his care. He arrived at Norfolk eight days ago, after having been beaten off from the capes of Virginia for some weeks by strong winds. His charge was in good order, and the seals and Envelope were unviolated. The Amiable for Liverpool having dropped down the Delaware, there...
124To John Jay from Edmund Randolph, 19 April 1794 (Jay Papers)
I do myself the honor of informing you, that I have this moment received an official notification, that the senate have advised and consented to your appointment as Envoy Extraordinary of the United States, to his Britannic Majesty. A commission is passing thro’ the ordinary course; and will be forwarded to you, immediately on its completion. I write at present, merely to give you the earliest...
125Enclosure: Edmund Randolph to John Jay: Private, 16 August 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I have forwarded, agreeably to your Excellency’s request, the letter, which you inclosed to me for General Lee. It was always my intention to inform you of the President’s final act on the treaty. This being now taken by an assurance in writing to Mr. Hammond that it would be immediately ratified; and the necessary forms being on the point of completion, little need be added on that head. But...
126To John Jay from Edmund Randolph, 6 May 1794 (Jay Papers)
The mission upon which you are about to enter as Envoy Extraordinary to the court of London, has been dictated by considerations of an interesting and pressing nature. You will doubtless avail yourself of these to impress convince M r . Pinckney, our minister in Ordinary there, of the necessity of this measure, and will thus prevent any wound to his sensibility. He may be assured, that it is...
127To 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...
128Edmund 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...
129To 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...
130To 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,...
131Edmund 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...
132To 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...
133To 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....
134To 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...
135Edmund 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...
136Edmund 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...
137To 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...
138To 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...
139To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 27 January 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The abstract, which I had the honor of putting into your hands this morning, was formed by a minute examination of the papers, relative to the case of Mr. Thomas Pagan. I am, as yet, unable to give a mature opinion. But it is easily discovered, that the refusal of an appeal to the supreme court of the United States constitutes a capital article of his complaints. If this course were ever open...
140To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 5 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The interruption, which the contagious disorder now prevailing in Philadelphia, has given to my residence there, is the cause of the delay, which has occurred in my examination of Mr. Hammonds last memorial on Pagan’s case. I beg leave to refer you to my former communications on this head; that I may not repeat them here unnecessarily. It is true, that I considered an application to the...
141Memorandum from Edmund Randolph, [ca. 28–30 May 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Minutes of reasons, which operated with E. R. in advising the expulsion of the Genet privateer. 1. That it is the prerogative of every nation to prohibit acts of sovereignty to be done within its limits by another nation, except where treaties otherwise provide, or those acts relate to the privileges of ministers. 2. That it is the peculiar prerogative of every neutral nation, to prohibit such...
142To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, [5] December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have perused the abstract of the case of Thomas Pagan, which I received from you this morning. Altho’ I cannot entertain a momentary doubt of the facts, therein asserted; yet am I compelled by the rules of official responsibility, to request a copy of the record, from which those facts are derived, before I give an opinion on the subject. In procuring this record no time ought to be lost....
143To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 2 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I took the liberty of mentioning to you the other day the application, which Mr. Telles’s friends had made, for his appointment to the office of consul in Lisbon, and which they wished me to assist. On recollecting, what passed between us, I suspect that I was not clearly understood in my statement of Mr. Telles’s situation. He can never sue the court or any individual of Lisbon. His suit is...
144To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 29 May 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I yesterday received a letter from my mother, painting an embarrassment in one of my father’s pecuniary affairs. The seriousness of its aspect has led me to asert myself for her relief. But until the first of July, I absolutely shall be unable; and her situation admits no delay. Excuse me then for begging your aid, until that day, as far as seven hundred dollars. I am to remit three hundred...
145To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, [13 August 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter is from Charlton. If you approve it, let the sum be settled in what I owe you for the Encyclopedia; and I will send a receipt. Will the president be obliged to publish a proclamation in consequence of the Indian treaty? He desired me to inquire into this matter from you, as he wishes me to draw it, if to be issued. I am glad to hear, that you have shaken off your late...
146Edmund Randolph’s Opinion on the Grange, 14 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The attorney general of the U.S. has the honor of submitting to the secretary of state his opinion concerning the seizure of the ship Grange. The essential facts are, that the river Delaware takes its rise within the limits of the U.S: that in the whole of its descent to the Atlantic ocean, it is covered on each side by the territory of the U.S: that from tide water to the distance of about...
147To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 10 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall make a statement of my account with Mr. Mazzei, as soon as I return home; and will forward it to you. The encyclopedie I think a bargain, and shall retain it with pleasure. When we meet in N. York, I will pay you the price; stated in your late favor. I thank you for the map; and shall send the other maps, with two catgut battledores, to Mr. Donald. The senate have disagreed to the 3d....
148To 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.
149Alexander 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...
150To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, [18 December 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
1. I cannot discover any existing authority, to make the deed to Pennsylvania . Congress must be resorted to . It is probable, that the landoffice is the true channel. 2. Metcalfe has undoubtedly committed murder on the high seas: and altho’ other nations might lay hold of him, and perhaps punish him; it seems to be the peculiar duty of the U.S., whose citizen he is, to disclaim the act, and...