51Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 26 March 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
The negociation with mr Stuart has given you much more trouble than I had expected, and more than it should have given had I expected it. however we may now hope to close it by accepting one of the alternatives he proposes. I shall be perfectly content to recieve the original he drew in Philadelphia in 1805 , which was of the common size (what the painters call, I believe, a bust) . it will...
52From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 20 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 15th is recieved and I now return mr Bowdoin’s letter forwarded in it. his doctrine is unquestionably sound. I have enjoyed uninterrupted good health, the story of the five physicians notwithstanding. by this post I recieve the opinions of the Secretaries of the Treasury & navy as well as yours on the subject of our Barbary affairs. I had before asked & recieved that of the...
53From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 29 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed papers came in the letter from Capt Lewis which I sent you: but not having been able to read this till last night they are now sent, and are interesting.—I cannot make out whether the party of Osages who were killed were some of those deputed to us. if they were not, it would carry us farther into Indian concerns, than we would wish to go, to take serious notice of it. if the...
54From James Madison to Henry Dearborn, 9 May 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Henry Dearborn. 9 May 1806, Department of State. “It being determined to forward to Tunis Six brass field pieces, 6 pounders, with the necessary carriages & apparatus, I have the honor to propose, that six of those in the hands of Mr. Foxall, belonging to the war Department, should be appropriated to this purpose; and that, if they can be spared, the carriages and apparatus should be...
55From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 2 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you a recommendation from the Senate of Georgia in favor of a David Alexander to be a brigade inspector or adjutant General. the writer signs himself President pro tem of the Senate of Georgia, & sais it is a concurred resolution of their General assembly & under the injunction of secrecy. the channel of recommendation is novel, & not to be approved as an habitual one; yet out of...
56From James Madison to Henry Dearborn, 11 January 1812 (Madison Papers)
Congress have just passed the act adding twenty odd thousand troops to the Military establishment. It provides for two Major Generals & 5 brigadiers. The importance of placing this and the other forces in view, under the best commanders, speaks for itself. Our eyes could not but be turned, on such an occasion, to your qualifications & experience; and I wait for your permission only to name you...
57From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 22 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 15th. is recieved, and I am thankful to you for your attention to the articles from Capt. Lewis. I had written to mr Lemaire on the subject, but they would have been suffering in the mean time. for getting rid of the knits in furs, the brush well applied is the best thing. for destroying the worm after it has entered the skin, I do not know whether snuff or Camphire is best....
58From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 13 September 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 8th. was recieved yesterday. I cannot [but consider?] the case of the French negroes at New York as substantially within the police of the state: and that [cases] of that kind will not be as well provided against by the General government as by the government of the place. our relations with it are only incidental, to wit, as it comes within the laws of contraband or...
59From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 27 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
As the inclosed resolution might be so construed as to lead into endless details, I entered into convasation on the subject with mr Early, who presented it. I found he wanted only general views of the subject. perhaps a tabular view under the following heads may best suit him port. name of fort condition cost of construction hitherto sum necessary to furnish it miscellaneous remarks
60From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 31 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Madison will have written to you on the subject of a demand of 1000. D. furnished to Lieutt. Pike to be repaid to Foronda, which of course must come out of the military fund. I inclose you an application from mr Graham for a commission in the army for a mr Lithgow, relation of mr Henderson who sollicits it, & who I think has a just claim for the gratification. I inclose you also a letter...
61From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 14 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson salutes Genl. Dearborne with friendship and communicates the following information from Capt. Lewis, which may be useful to Colo. Freeman and our future explorers, and indeed may enable us understandingly to do acceptable things to our Louisiana neighbors when we wish to gratify them. he says the following are the articles in highest value with them. 1. blue beads. this is a...
62From James Madison to Henry Dearborn, 20 September 1814 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 6th. came duly to hand. A letter about the same time was recd. by the Dept. of War, from Govr. Strong on the same subject. I desired Mr. Monroe to inclose you a copy of his answer, which will shew you the ground taken with the Govr. What will be his final ground with respect to the Genl. Govt. remains to be seen. In the mean time, and under the peculiarity of the Crisis, we must...
63From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 1 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Aug. 15. was recieved yesterday. I regret extremely that the estimate of the blocks at N. York should place them above our appropriation. the data of calculation should be above all question to justify suspending the operation. but, if they are to cost a million, altho’ I should be for it, yet Congress should be consulted. I inclose you a letter from George Mosley wishing to be a...
64From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 29 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Many officers of the army being involved in the offence of intending a military enterprize against a nation at peace with the US. to remove the whole, without trial, by the paramount authority of the Executive, would be a proceeding of unusual severity. some line must therefore be drawn to separate the more from the less guilty. the only sound one which occurs to me is between those who...
65From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 9 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of July 27. is recieved. It confirms the accounts we recieve from others that the infractions of the embargo in Maine & Massachusets are. open. I have removed Pope of New Bedford for worse than negligence. the Collector of Sullivan is on the totter. the Tories of Boston openly threaten insurrection if their importation of flour is stopped. the next post will stop it. I fear your governor...
66From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 3 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
On my return from a day from a journey to New London I found here the inclosed from the Governor of S. Carolina to mr. Madison which I forward to you as belonging to your department to consider of. I learn with great regret that mr & mrs Madison have been obliged to go to Philadelphia, & I have little hope of seeing them in our neighborhood this season. I hope this circumstance will not...
67From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 8 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I last night recieved the account of Genl. Irvine’s death , and at the same time the inclosed applications for the continuance of the office in his family, which are certainly very strong. the single one in behalf of Capt Jones must be merely idle, as it is most improbable that he would accept of it. I inclose the whole however for your information. Irvine is a real loss to us. Not having...
68From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 13 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 7th. since that we learn that the Bellona & Leopard remaining in Hampton Road, the other two vessels have returned to the capes of Chesapeak where they have been reinforced by another frigate and a sloop of war we know not from whence. this induces us to suppose they do not mean an immediate attack on Norfolk; but to retain their present position till further orders from...
69From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 9 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
It is represented to me on the part of a person of the name of Solomon Sessum living at Tarburgh in N. Caroline, in independant circumstances, but himself & wife both old, that Roderick Sessums their son was, in the year 1795, during a fit of intoxication, enlisted by a Captn. Rickard then recruiting in that quarter. that being at Natchez in 1800, when his time was to expire, the father with...
70From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 12 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have read with pleasure the letter of Capt Davidson by which, according to unanimous resolves of the company of light infantry of the first legion of the militia of Columbi a commanded by him, he tenders their services as volunteers under the act of Congress of Feb. 24. 1807 I accept the offer and render to Capt. Davidson & the other officers & privates of the company that praise to which...
71From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 26 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter from mr Jackson of Tennissee, formerly a Senator from that state on the subject of Colo. Butler. he is a man of great integrity and respectability; carried sometimes beyond strict reason by an overwarm and excellent heart. another from judge Campbell on the subject of Doctr. Vandyke. I also return the one from him to you covering mine. on the subject of the robbery...
72From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 31 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Considering that the important thing is to get the militia classed so that we may get at the young for a year’s service at a time, and that training may be supplied after they are called out, I think we may give up every part of the bill which respects training & arming. let us once get possession of the principle, & future Congresses will train & arm. in this way we get rid of all those...
73From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 17 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I forwarded to mr Smith, Secretary of the Navy, an extract of so much of my letter to you of Aug. 31. as suggested the idea of artificial harbours for gun boats on the Horse shoe & Middle grounds, with a view to his having their foundation examined to know if they would support works, & their distance ascertained to know what would be their effect. the objects were 1st. to provide an asylum on...
74From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 3 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the day before. with respect to the slanders in which the two mr Hunts were implicated, I assure you on my sacred honour that I never heard one word uttered but from mr Granger and one other person, who does not reside in this part of the country, nor is any way connected with the government; and the sole object of his communicating with me was to engage me...
75From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 12 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
My journey & two days detention on the road by high waters gave me time to reflect on our Canal at New Orleans, on which I will therefore hazard some thoughts. I think it has been said that the Misipi at low water is many feet lower, opposite N.O. than lake Pontchartrain. but the fact is impossible, being in contradiction to the laws of nature. two beds of dead water connected with the same...
76Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 17 May 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I present to you mr Rives , the bearer of this, an eleve of mine in law and politics. he is able, learned, honest, & orthodox in his principles. being just about to enter on the stage of public life he wishes first to see something more of our country at large. he will be one of the distinguished men of our state , & of the United States . in taking him by the hand while in Boston you will...
77From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 5 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
About a twelvemonth after we came into the administration we learnt by a letter from mr Simpson that our predecessors had promised to the Emperor of Marocco 100. gun carriages. you have known most of the unlucky circumstances which have baffled our execution of it. the last however is but recently known. we had desired mr Simpson to have them made in Europe, or to offer the value to the...
78From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 7 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I dare say that Purcell’s map must be of value, and it would be well if his representatives would publish it. but whether worth your purchase & at what price Genl. Wilkinson might perhaps satisfy you. I shall write to Marentille that if you think it worth while to give him 50,000 D. for his project, you will inform him. in the contrary case it may be put away in your pigeon hole of projects....
79From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 15 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
As soon as I possibly could after my arrival here, I prepared the general instructions for our mission up the Arkansa & Red rivers, but could not make a fair copy of them in time for the last post. they are inclosed in the letter to mr Dunbar which I send open for your perusal, and then to be forwarded to him. it will enable you to see and to supply what is deficient, and to alter whatever on...
80From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 29 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very much pleased to find that the Choctaws agree to sell us their country on the Missisipi, and think we ought to accept it to any extent they will agree to, only taking care the price be not too high. they are poor; and will probably sell beyond what will pay their debts, so as to be entitled to an annual pension, which is one of the best holds we can have on them. their strength & the...
81From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 3 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you letters from P. Choteau & a mr Hay giving information of Capt Lewis. the information given by the former of the combination forming among the Machicoux (the Indians about Michigan I presume) is worthy attention. I wonder neither Governr. Harrison nor Wells have noted it. if true it may be proper for us to send a talk to each of the tribes, explaining our real intentions as to...
82From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 16 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter from Govr. Tatnall and petition from the inhabitants over the Cherokee boundary, on a subject which Colo. Wafford had before presented to us , renders it necessary to advert again to it. I think we have had some information from our Commissioners of the unsuccessful endeavors they used, according to our instructions, to obtain indulgence for these settlers, but I do not...
83From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 11 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
In mine of the day before yesterday I informed you that to comply with a request of Govr. Cabell I had undertaken to lay down rules of intercourse with the British vessels, at first intended for Capt Decatur only, but afterwards extended with equal power to the officer commanding by land, so that each should have equal power to send & recieve flags. I now send you a copy of that letter. since...
84From Daniel Carthy to Henry Dearborn, 19 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
Not discouraged, that I did not, recieve an answer to the letter I presumed to write to you, recommending Mr Neal, as a proper person for the appointment of Surveyor of the Coast of the United States; because I have been assured it is the Course of business, at head quarters, not to reply to Such letters; therefore, presuming Still on the Strength of the Sentiment, produced by the recollection...
85From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 1 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to consider & direct how the 3000. D. may be apportioned in the details of the Arcansa expedition ? to wit how much for pay, for instruments & other articles of outfit which cannot be furnished from the military fund, & how much may be laid out in light articles for barter & presents to the Indians. this last article should be made as large as the fund will admit....
86From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 26 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The substance of what was agreed on yesterday, was I think as follows. I. the 2. bomb-vessels & 2. gunboats built by Commodore Preble are to go immediately to Charleston, there to take gunboat No. 1. & proceed, the 3. gunboats into L. Pontchartrain, & the 2. bomb vessels to N. Orleans. to these are to be added other gunboats from the Ohio, or the Mediterranean so as to keep a force of 6. boats...
87From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, Henry Dearborn, and Robert Smith, 5 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of the Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary at War & Secretary of the Navy to carry into execution the inclosed resolution of the H. of representatives of May 3. 1802. desiring a statement of expenditures from Jan. 1. 1797. by the Quarter Master Genl. the Navy agents, for the Contingencies of the Naval & Military establishments and the Navy contracts for timber &...
88From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 21 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The guarding our arms at New London & Manchester stands on totally different ground. the former was at my request, delivered verbally to Governor Monroe about the 15th. of April 1801. certainly not a week sooner or later. the latter was in the time of the insurrection of their slaves and no more chargeable to the Union than the other expences of their militia on that occasion. I should have...
89From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 28 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I am just making the last arrangements for my departure. the inclosed proposition of Monsr. Dupont for the purification of our Saltpetre being of some magnitude I have thought it best to forward his letter to you, that you may decide on it yourself, and give him an answer. we have nothing material from Europe except the communication from his Britannic Majesty that understanding we were...
90From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 13 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much pleased with both the ideas suggested by Lyons , viz. 1. to proceed from Knoxville direct through the Cherokee Creek & Choctaw country to Natchez. 2. to encourage individuals to make terms with the Indians on their private account for establishing farms along the line at every 15. or 30. or 45. miles distance as can be obtained. but instead of going from Knoxville to Natchez in a...
91From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 20 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter of July 1. from Govr. Lewis recieved from the war office by the last post. It presents a full, & not a pleasant view of our Indian affairs West of the Misipi. as the punishment of the Osages has been thought necessary, the means employed appear judicious. first to draw off the friendly part of the nation, & then withdrawing the protection of the US. leave the other...
92From James Madison to Henry Dearborn, 16 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have been favored with yours of the 1st. instant. We have seen nothing yet which sufficiently discloses the course which the Legislature at Boston is to take. The Governors Speech is in a tone somewhat different from his Report last Winter; but what must be thought of the disposition which could thank Osgood for a Sermon, which substitutes for the evangelical spirit he professes to feel, a...
93From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 13 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a petition from Aaron Goff of Vermont praying the release of his son under age. the fact of infancy being established, the discharge becomes a matter of right. I have the pleasure to inform you that William Clarke accepts with great glee the office of going with Capt Lewis up the Missouri. in the moment of my departure from Washington mrs Madison informed me you had a thought...
94From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 23 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Taking from our last Census the number of 384,554 free white males of the age of 16. and under 26. and distributing them according to their ages by Buffon’s table they stand thus. between 16. and 18. 80,405. not of military age in their 19th year 39,591
95From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 12 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you all the papers recieved in yours of the 9th. except Morrison’s letter on the subject of Alston, which altho’ expressed to be confidential, I send to mr Hay under that injunction, merely for his information, should there be other bearings on the same point. in my conscience I have no doubt as to his participation. to your papers I add some others. particularly respecting the...
96From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 25 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
There is a subject on which I wished to speak with you before I left Washington; but an apt occasion did not occur. it is that of your continuance in office. perhaps it is as well to submit my thoughts to you by letter. the present summer is too important, in point of preparation, to leave your department unfilled, for any time, as I once thought might be done: and it would be with extreme...
97From John Langdon Sibley to Henry Dearborn, 12 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Extract of a letter from Mr. John Sibley dated Natchitoches Octr. 12. 1808. Every thing in this quarter is quiet. the Season is healthy and very great crops of every thing. No occurrence amongst the Indians worthy of notice. Every body wishes the Embargo raised; but not untill the object for which it was layed is affected; or it is found insufficient to affect it. The late events in Spain seem...
98From James Madison to Henry Dearborn, [ca. 23 July] 1811 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure of duly receiving yours of the 8th. inclosing a Copy of your son’s oration. In the hurry of the period, I have been able to give it a flying perusal only. But I do not accede to your limitation of its merits so much to an honest zeal. It has claims to a much higher character, with the addition of this laudable feature. I am just on the point of leaving Washington where I...
99From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 26 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 23. is recieved & I learn with pleasure that mrs Dearborne & yourself will ere long be with us. there are three routes by which you may come. 1. that by Fredericksburg, which is 20. miles the furthest, the worst road, & after you pass Fredericksburg as badly off for stages as any other & a miserable uninteresting country. of the other two to wit, by Stephensbg, & by the...
100From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 27 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Colo. Smith the writer of one of the inclosed letters is the republican […] in the place of Page lately elected to Congress in Virginia. a man of very great respectability. setting that aside, our service is not so urgent as to render it necessary to drag sons from their fathers. the affection of citizens to their government is worth cultivating as it’s best support. these considerations would...