51From Benjamin Franklin to ——, 8 April 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I received your Favour of the 31st of last Month, the answering of which I delayed and [I] should be glad to accompany you from London, in your next Return to Derbyshire; but doubt it will not be in my Power. I am sorry I cannot be certain as to the time of my going into Derbyshire. For on the very day you purpose coming to Town, viz. the 18th of this...
52[Benjamin Franklin?] to ——, 25 December 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Extract printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , January 1, 1756. Governor Morris and the commissioners appointed in the £60,000 money act worked diligently to organize more effective measures against the continuing Indian attacks. By December 4 they had decided to rely chiefly upon a fort to be erected at Shamokin (at the forks of the Susquehanna; now Sunbury) from which ranging parties would be...
53From Benjamin Franklin to ———, 2 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am exceedingly oblig’d by the exact Plan and Profile you have been so kind as to send me, of the hydraulic Machine at Chatou. Be pleased to accept my thankful Acknowledgments of the Favour, and be assured that I am, with great Esteem, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant A virtually indecipherable notation on the verso, which may have no relation to the...
54[Benjamin Franklin?] to ——, 6 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Extract printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , January 8, 1756. Jacob Levan, Esq; was sent by us to hear the Particulars of the Affair at Gnadenhutten, and fearing to go alone, sent Fifty-six Men over the Mountains on Saturday Evening, and on Sunday followed them with seventeen more. As soon as they got to the Top of the Hill, they saw all the white People running up, and the Indians running on...
55From Benjamin Franklin to ———, 26 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu, avec ma petite Dialogue, votre charmante Epitre & Puisque je trouve que Madame la Goutte est de votre Connoissance, ma tres chere Amie je vous prie de grace que quand elle me fait une autre Visite, vous voudriez bien l’accompagner. Votre Présence me dedommagera de la sienne. Avec une telle Garde, la Peine deviendra Plaisir. We can identify...
56From Benjamin Franklin to ——, [11 April 1767] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from extract in The Pennsylvania Chronicle , June 1–8, 1767. We have been very busy about the Paper Money Affair. The Merchants are to wait on Lord Clare with their Opinion in Favour of it in a Day or two. After receiving Dr. F’s Remarks on the Report of the Board of Trade, they have drawn up a new Representation on the Subject, which they have signed, and Dr. F’s Paper...
57From Benjamin Franklin to ——, 3 April 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society Yesterday we tapp’d the Porter, and found it excellent. To prevent its being wasted, we have bottled it off, having a safer Place for Bottles, and imagining that in our slow Draught it might not keep so fresh. So we are enabled Herewith to return the Cask. How bountiful a Gratuity for half a Sheet of Paper! I can only say, that ’tis pity you are not...
58[Benjamin Franklin?] to ——, 20 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Extract printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , January 29, 1756. We have been here since Sunday Afternoon: That Day we had only Time to get up some Shelter from the Weather and the Enemy. Yesterday all Day it rained, with so thick a Fog, that we could not see round us, so as either to chuse a Place for a Fort, or find Materials to build it. In the Night it cleared up, and this Morning we...
59From Benjamin Franklin to ———, 28 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in part in The Gentleman’s Magazine , XLIX (supplement, 1779), pp. 647–8; printed in full in William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin, LL.D., F.R.S., &c. (quarto edition, 3 vols., London, 1817–18), II , 169–70. I received your obliging favour of the 12th instant. Your sentiments of the importance of the present dispute between Great-Britain...
60From Benjamin Franklin to ———, 26 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society Les affaires dont je suis chargé, Monsieur, ne me permettent pas de quitter paris et par consequent d’accepter vostre invitation; je vous prie de croire cependant que j’y suis tres sensible, et que c’est avéc reconnoissance que je suis, Monsieur, vostre tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur. Notation: Le Veillard Possibly to Richelet who had invited BF...
61From Benjamin Franklin to ———, [1757–1775] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I have perus’d the Letters and Papers you put into my Hands, and shall, as you desire, say what occurs to me on the considering them. I do not know Mr. Murdoch personally, but have heard that he is a Person of Credit and some Note in that Country, and esteemed by the People there. I imagine that little is to be expected from a Suit of Law, to be carried on...
62VI. Albert Gallatin’s Comments , 11 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
N. Hampshire— only one Master & one Mate revenue Cutter—Hopley Yeaton & Benj. Gunnison. appd. 31 Augt. 1802—both rep. rep. 6.—.—. Massachusset— Jonas Clarke collect. Kennebunk—fed. appd. only Inspector of revenue by Mr Jefferson } 13. 3.21 Fred. L. Delesdernier collect. Passamaquody rep. certainly } —see page 52
63IV. Gallatin’s Notes on the Draft, 3 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Period —What? of representations or of restoration of deposit? propositions had been authorized—When? prior to that period? Quere subsequent appropriation—to what? to the authorizan. of proposition by executive? enlightened mind of first Consul— Treaties now laid before both houses— —— Introduce idea of possession of N. Orleans being a bond of Union and, if possible, of prevention of early...
64Enclosure: Benjamin Galloway to Maryland General Assembly, 5 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Benjamin Galloway of Elizabeth Town Washington County and State of Maryland respectfully presents the Underwritten to the Senate and House of Delegates of the State aforesaid in General Assembly convened— That the State of Maryland now is, and of Right has been a free and independant State ever since the fourth day of July one thousand seven hundred and seventy six. That Luther Martin now is,...
65Notes on Reducing Navy Expenses, 10 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Navy estimate Oct. 1803. D In actual service. 2. frigates 209,807.36 5. small vessels 185,158.19 394,965.55 In ordinary. 11. frigates 180,845.17 Pay of officers on shore 27,500. 208,345.17 Contingencies 40,000. Ordnance & stores 15,000. Marine corps
66Topics for Consultation with the Secretary of War, 16 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
May 16. Deptmt War. Pichon’s complt of not returng salute to flag at N.O. Presents to Indns. at St. Louis. tobo. Whiskey. Capt. Lewis says 2000 D war between Kickapoos & oth. Indns. E. of Misipi, & Osages Homestubbe’s talk. Poutewatamies have killed the Indian murderers Capt Stoddart . barracks wanted at St. Louis a stone fort intended as only a bastion. gorge wants closing best to erect...
67II. Canons of Etiquette, 12 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Canons of Etiquette to be observed by the Executive. 1. Foreign ministers arriving at the seat of government pay the first visit to the ministers of the nation, which is returned: and so likewise on subsequent occasions of reassembling after a recess. 2. The families of foreign ministers recieve the 1st. visit from those of the National ministers, as from all other residents and as all...
68II. Partial Draft, 8 February 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
h. 11. I am happy in observing the union of sentiment which has taken place in the great mass of our country, with some local exceptions only. the union of sentiment is now as general as can be expected among a people having the right to think speak & write with freedom: & perhaps as is desirable, some difference of opinion being useful as it assumes the office of Censor on the public...
69IV. Response to the Washington Federalist, 13 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The Washington Federalist of the 1st. inst. has published what he calls the ‘Etiquette of the court of the US.’ in his facts, as usual, truth is set at nought, & in his principles little correct to be found. the Editor having seen a great deal of unfounded stuff on this subject, in that & other papers of a party whose first wish it is to excite misunderstandings with other nations, (even with...
70Notes on Nathaniel Ingraham’s Case, ca. 9 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Ingraham’s case for carrying on the slave trade. 1801. Feb. action of q.t. institd. by J. W. Leonard Nov. verdict & jdmt for 14,000 D. & costs. does not appear that any term of imprismt entered into the quantum of punmt adjudged. act of 1794. c.11. §.4. inflicts 200. D. for every slave, by qui tam. 1800. c.51. respects slave trade betw. foreign ports, or in forn. vesls. the conviction then has...
71IV. Partial Draft, 8 February 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
b. In the transaction of your forn. affairs we have endeavd to cultivate the frdshp of all nations & especially of those with whom we have the most importt. relations: we have endeavored to evince by our conduct that we do justice on all occasions, and frdly offices where our duty to others will permit that peace and happiness are our first objects, and mutual exchanges of superfluities as a...
72I. Commission for Minister Plenipotentiary to Great Britain, 18 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States of America, To Greeting: Reposing especial Trust and Confidence in Your Integrity, Prudence and Ability I have appointed you the said Minister Plenipotentiary for the United States of America at the Court of His Britannic Majesty, authorizing you hereby to do and perform all such matters and things as to the said place or office do...
73VI. Partial Draft, 8 February 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
In the great mass of our country Middle Southern & Westward The progress towards a final consolidn of sentiment in matters of government has reached that ultimate term beyond which perhaps it is not desirable it should extend. that there should be some difference of opn, some opponents to the prevailing one is certainly wholsome. they are as watchmen over every department of the government,...
74Instructions for Arkansas River and Red River Expedition, 14 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The government of the US. being desirous of informing itself of the extent of the country lately ceded to them under the name of Louisiana, to have the same, with it’s principal rivers, geographically delineated, to learn the character of it’s soil, climate, productions, & inhabitants, you are appointed to explore , for these purposes, the interesting portion of it which lies on the Arkansa...
75Notes on Lease to Richard Gamble, 22 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Heads of a lease to Richard Gamble. 5. fields North of the road, of 40 acres each. to wit 4. on the Shadwell tract now leased to J. Perry, and one on the Lego tract, adjoining to the Upper field of Shadwell, including the ground already open there & about Reynolds’s house, & as much more to be opened adjacent as will make up 40. acres. the lease to commence Oct. 15. 1804. (being John Perry’s...
76Notes on the Wabash Saline, before 22 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Notes of Wabash Salines. on Saline creek which empties into Ohio 16. mi. below Wabash the Saline is 16. miles up the creek, which is navigable, & 16. miles across from the nearest part of Wabash. the bed or saline marsh is about 20. yards square. it ought to be so worked as to make 100. bush. salt a day. this would require boilers of 15,000. galls. contents. containg. 40. galls. each, they...
77XII. Notes on the Second Inaugural Address, 8 February 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Notes on a Draught for a second inaugural Address. The former one was an exposition of the principles on which I thought it my duty to administer the government. the second then should naturally be a Compte rendu, or a statement of facts, shewing that I have conformed to those principles. the former was promise : this is performance . yet the nature of the occasion requires that detail should...
78II. Notes on Agreement between Elizabeth Henderson and John Henderson, 8 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
relative to the written agreement between Eliz. & John Henderson the probability is it was only an agreemt instead of a lease of the house . Kemp Catlett was the only witness to it; but he knows nothing of it’s contents, nor does he even remember the appearance of the face of it, having had nothing to do with it but to sign it as a witness. Richard Price saw the instrument soon after it’s...
79XIV. Reading Copy of Second Inaugural Address, 4 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Proceedg. f. c. to yt qualfcn ′ wch ye Constn reqres. befre. my entrnce. on ye charge agn. conferd. on me † it is my duty t. exprss. ye deep sense I entertn. ′ of ys new proof of confidce. frm. my f. c. at large † & ye zeal wth. whch. it inspires m. ′ s. t. condct. myslf. ′ as m. best satsfy yr just expectns. ″ on takg. ys station on a formr occn, ′ I declrd. ye princples. on wch. I belv.d. it...
80Memorandums to Henry Remsen, Jr., 31 August 1790 [document added to digital edition] (Jefferson Papers)
Memorandum. Letters received for me at N. York before the last day of September, to be forwarded to me, by the Richmond post , at Monticello. not meaning newspapers however, which mr. Remsen will know by their covers. of newspapers I wish to receive Fenno’s only, while absent. those letters &c recieved after the last of Sep. to be retained. I must get mr Remsen to decide whether it will be...
81II. Draft Bill, 23 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
An act Regulating the clearance of Armed vessels— Be it enacted &ca that no vessel armed or provided with the means of being armed at Sea, in which, or the Cargo whereof, a Citizen or inhabitant of the US. shall be interested or embarked shall Receive at any Custom house of the US. any clearance, or be suffered to leave the port where she is found so armed or providd. but on Security given to...
82VI. Draft Bill in Chancery, 5 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
To George Wythe, judge of the High court of Chancery of the district of Richmond in the commonweatlth of Virginia. Humbly complaining sheweth unto your honor your orator Craven Peyton of the county of Albemarle that Bennet Henderson late of the same county being in his lifetime seized & possessed in feesimple of a tract of land therein on the Rivanna river surrounding & adjacent to the town...
83Memorandum on Appointments, 29 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Tomson J. Skinner of Massachusets to be Commissioner of loans for Massachus ets William Few of New York to be Commissioner of loans for New York Daniel Humphreys of New Hampshire to be Atty for the US. in the district of New Ha mpshire Thomas Rutter of Maryland to be Marshal for the district of Maryland. Joshua Prentiss of Massachusets to be Surveyor of the of Marblehead and Inspector of the...
84I. Bill for the Preservation of Peace in Harbors and Waters of the United States, 22 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
An Act for the more effectual preservation of the peace in the harbors and waters of the US. & on board vessels. Foreign armed vessels within the harbours. committing breaches of law. A.G. l. 4. after ‘felony’ insert ‘infraction of revenue-law or other statute.’ I had rather extend the provision to cases cognisable by the authority of individual states. but if this be objectionable, the cases...
85Notes on a Conversation with Aaron Burr, 26 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 26. Colo Burr the V.P. calls on me in the evening, having previously asked an opportunity of conversing with me. he began by recapitulating summarily that he had come to N.Y. a stranger some years ago, that he found the country in possn of two rich families, (the Livingstons & Clintons) that his pursuits were not political & he meddled not. when the crisis however of 1800. came on, they...
86Opinion on the Edward Stevens Claim, 12 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Doctr. Stevens’s case. I consider the annual act which appropriates a given sum to the expences of intercourse with foreign nations, as a sufficient authority to the President (the constitutional organ of foreign intercourse) to expend that sum for the purposes of foreign intercourse, at his discretion. if he abuses that discretion he is responsible for it in a constitutional way. the legal...
87Notes on Dispatches from William C. C. Claiborne, 4 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
July 4. Govr. Claiborne’s lre May 24. 04. St. Julien’s case the local judge should decide if crimes commd under Span. govmt are cognisable under ours & proceed accdly do. May 29. dispute between 2. priests . let their chief decide French privateer with American prize. do. May 30. his expences . do. June 2. his answer to the impertinencies of Govr. Folch perfect MS ( DLC : TJ Papers,...
88Topics for Consultation with Heads of Departments, 15 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
May. 15. 04 State Judge Davies’s enquiries mr Merry’s case Pichon’s memorial he hazards general assertions neither proved nor true the law of nations does not make a nation responsible for acts of individuals out of it’s limits. yet friendly nations do watch to a certain degree. does France watch the atrocities of it’s privateers men with & without commissions it to be assurd. on our part of...
89Memorandum of Tasks for John Hemings, 24 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
reserved for J. Hemings. All the Chinese railing. Venetian blinds for the Porticos. the 3. remaing. Angular Portals. the Aviary. facings &c of windows of covered ways folds of window shutters. closet of my bed chamber store rooms in the loft. MS ( MHi ); undated; entirely in TJ’s hand; on other side of sheet containing “Work to be done by mr Dinsmore,” dated 24 Sep. (see Memorandum of Tasks...
90Memorandum of Votes in Chase Impeachment Trial, 1 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I II III IV V VI VII VIII Adams – – – – – – – – 0 Anderson +
91Notes on Renominations and Nominations, 26 February 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Renominations still to be made. Orleans. ✓ Wm. C. C. Claiborne late governor of the Misipi territory Governor of the territory of Orleans [ James Brown of Kentucky Secretary of the territory of O.] [ Ephraim Kirby of Connecticut } Judges of the Superior court for the terry. of O ✓ John B. Prevost of New York original nomn ✓ James Brown of Kentucky ✓ Dominic A. Hall of S.C. judge of the...
92List of Members of the Eighth Congress, 17 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
N. Hampsh. 5. Verm. 4. ✓ — Betton, Silas ✓ — Chamberlain ✓ — Claggett. Clifton. ✓ — Chittenden Martin ✓ — Hough David ✓ Elliott James ✓
93Notes on Treasury Estimates for 1804, [ca. 10 October 1803] (Jefferson Papers)
Resources Balance in the treasury Oct. 1. 1803. say 5,888,000. Revenue of 5. quarters to Dec. 31. 1804 @ 10,400,000. 13,000,000 Arrears of direct taxes & other sources 150,000 Louisiana 200,000. 19,238,000 Demands in last In last quarter of 1803 Balance due to 7,300,000 D. approprn. 2,350,000 ¼ of last years estimate for other objects 650,000. British paiment
94Proclamation Extending Building Regulations in the City of Washington , 28 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
By the President of the United States. A PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS by the first articles of the terms and conditions declared by the President of the United States on the seventeenth day of October, 1791, for regulating the Materials and manner of buildings and improvements on the lots in the city of Washington, it is provided that “the outer and party walls of all houses in the said city shall be...
95I. Notes on Diplomatic Etiquette in England, 22 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. King to mr Madison. N.Y. Dec. 22. 1803. 1. all foreign ministers pay the 1st. visit to the ministers of Engld. by going in their carriage & leaving a card without asking for them. this visit is rarely if ever returned. 2. foreign ministers nor their wives never invited to Queen’s balls, concerts, parties. the king gives none. at king’s levee forn. & domest. ministers, dignifd clergy, Ld....
96I. Topics for Inaugural Address, 8 February 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Genl. topics the advantages of a peaceful system. that if once our debt is paid & taxes liberated, the surplus (after supportg. govmt) will supply annual exp. of war so that no other tax need ever be laid. removals from office. Philosophy licentiousness of press. MS ( DLC : TJ Papers, 234:41878); in TJ’s hand; undated; Documents III and V are on reverse side of same sheet.
97Continuation of an Examination of the Boundaries of Louisiana, 15 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
P.S. the Northern boundary of Louisiana, Coterminous with the possessions of England. The limits of Louisiana have been spoken of, in the preceding statement , as if those established to the West & North, by the charter of Louis XIV. remained still unaltered. in the West they are so, as already explained. but, in the North, a material change has taken place. with this however it was...
98III. Memorandum on Official Etiquette , 12 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
In order to bring the members of society together in the first instance the custom of the country has established that the residents shall pay the 1st. visit to strangers, & among strangers first comers to later comers, foreign & domestic; When brought together in society all are perfectly equal, whether foreign or domestic, titled or untitled, in or out of office. To the 1st. rule there is a...
99III. Partial Draft, 8 February 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
4. e. The free exercise of religion being placed by the constitution independant of the powers of the Genl. govmt, the acts of fasting praying, thanksgiving, and the times, manner, and matter thereof, are religious exercises, which if free from us must neither be prescribed nor controuled by us: I have left them therefore as the constn found them, under the direction of the state or church...
100Notes on a Cabinet Meeting, 26 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
1804. May. 26. Present the Secretaries and Atty Genl. What terms of peace with Tripoli shall be agreed to? if successful, insist on their deliverg. up men without ransom, and reestablishing old treaty without paying any thing. if unsuccessful, rather than have to continue the war, agree to give 500. D. a man, (having first deducted for the prisoners we have taken) and the sum in gross &...