601From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 4 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson having prepared a written opinion on the Question Whether Passports should be granted to vessels belonging to American citizens, but of foreign built, has the honor of inclosing it to the President as an explanation of the principles on which the affirmative was adopted yesterday. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the US.”; endorsed by Tobias Lear. Tr ( Lb in...
602To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 22 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
Having lately received a call from Congress to pass the Atlantic in the character of one of their ministers for negotiating peace, I cannot leave the Continent without separating myself for a moment from the general gratitude of my country to offer my individual tribute to your Excellency for all you have suffered & all you have effected for us. were I to indulge myself in those warm effusions...
603To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 30 July 1792 (Washington Papers)
I received yesterday the letter you did me the honor to write on the 23d inst. covering one from the Governor of Vermont. as the question Which party has a right to complain, depends on the fact Which party has hitherto exercised jurisdiction in the place where the seizure was made, and the Governor’s letter does not ascertain that fact, I think it will be better to wait his answer to my two...
604To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 8 May 1791 (Washington Papers)
The last week does not furnish one single public event worthy communicating to you: so that I have only to say ‘all is well.’ Paine’s answer to Burke’s pamphlet begins to produce some squibs in our public papers. in Fenno’s paper they are Burkites, in the other Painites. one of Fenno’s was evidently from the author of the discourses on Davila. I am afraid the indiscretion of a printer has...
605V. Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 6 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I cannot but think that to decline the propositions of Mr. Genet on the subject of our debt, without assigning any reasons at all, would have a very dry and unpleasant aspect indeed. We are then to examine what are our good reasons for the refusal, which of them may be spoken out, and which may not. 1. want of confidence in the continuance of the present form of government, and consequently...
606To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 15 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose for the President’s perusal a letter from Mr Gouverneur Morris on the subject of our affairs in Amsterdam; the observations are worthy being known to the President. Mr Howell of Rhode island has imposed on him the duty also of putting into his hands the letter & papers from him. the printed papers are merely to prove his dispositions enounced in the...
607To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 15 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of state having had under consideration the two letters of Oct. 13. 1789. from the President of the U.S. to mr Gouverneur Morris, & those from mr Morris to the President of Jan. 22. Jan. 22. Apr. 7. 13. May. 1. 29. July 3. Aug. 16. & Sep. 18. referred to him by the President, makes the following Report thereon. The President’s letters of Jan. 22. authorized mr Morris to enter...
608III. Report on Candidates for Office in Vermont, [23 February 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
MS ( DLC : Washington Papers); entirely in TJ’s hand; at head of text: “Substance of Conversations”; endorsed by Lear: “From the Secy of State relative to Appointments in Vermont. No.3.” PrC ( DLC ). Date established from entry in SJPL under 23 Feb. 1791, reading: “Vermont characters. Chipman. Bradley. Morris. Smith. Ti[chenor].”
609To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 22 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State Reports to the President of the United States that one of the Commissioners of Spain, in the name of both, has lately communicated to him verbally, by order of his court, that his Catholic majesty, apprised of our sollicitude to have some arrangements made respecting our free navigation of the river Missisipi, & the use of a port thereon, is ready to enter into treaty...
610From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, [3 August 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President a note of such articles as he supposes will be interesting to Mr. Young, so far as he is enabled to do it with some degree of certainty. RC ( DLC : Washington Papers); undated, but date is established from that on enclosure and from entry in SJL reading: “[Aug.] 3. Washington Presidt. for Young.”
611To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 24 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of addressing you on the 17th since which I have recieved yours of the 13th. I inclose you extracts from letters received from mister Short in one of the 7th of Feb. mister Short informs me that he has received a letter from mister de Montmorin, announcing to him that the King has named Ternant his minister here. the questions on our tobacco & oil have taken unfavorable turns....
612To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 18 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President the copies of the Algerine papers which have been made out to form the basis of instructions for the Commissioner to be appointed. the President will be pleased to consider whether he would chuse to have them altered in any particular. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His...
613To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 14 June 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects incloses to the Presiden⟨t⟩ two letters recieved yesterday from mister Morris. he had sent the Observations of mister Keith to mister Rittenhouse, wi⟨th⟩ a note for his consideration. Th: J. incloses the Note wit⟨h⟩ mister Rittenhouse’s answer for the perusal of the Presiden⟨t⟩ if he thinks them worth the time. P.S. the Proces-verbal accompanying mister Morris’s...
614From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 10 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly examined the inclosed papers relating to the purchase by judge Symmes of the lands on the Great Miami, and think it will be proper to lay them before the legislature. They will thereby see the foundation of the larger claim of this purchaser mentioned in the report I have had the honour of presenting to you, and also the expediency of providing some speedy and regular mode of...
615From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 25 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); endorsed by Tobias Lear. Tr ( Lb in same, SDC ). Not recorded in SJL . Enclosures: (1) Thomas Barclay to TJ, 17 , 19 ,
616To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 3 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
In order to enable you to lay before Congress the account required by law of the application of the monies appropriated to foreign purposes through the Agency of the Department of State, I have now the honor to transmit you the two statements No. 1. & 2. herein enclosed, comprehending the period of Two Years preceding the 1st day of July last. The first statement is of the sums paid from the...
617Revised Paragraph for the President’s Annual Message to Congress, 1 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Instead of the paragraph ‘The interests of a nation &c.—within our own,’ formerly proposed, the following substitute is thought better. All observations are unnecessary on the value of peace with other nations. It would be wise however, by timely provisions, to guard against those acts of our citizens, which might tend to disturb it, and to put ourselves in a condition to give that...
618From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 7 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honour to send for the President’s perusal, his letters to Govr. Sinclair and Judge Symmes: as also letters received from the postmaster at Richmond on the subject of the two cross posts. He has gone further as to that towards the South Western territory, than Th: J’s letter authorized, as he only submitted it to his enquiry and consideration whether a post along that...
619To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 22 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of state having had under consideration the expediency & extent of a Convention with Spain to be established for with respect to fugitives from the United states to their adjoining provinces, or from those provinces to the United States, Reports to the President of the United States the inclosed Analytical view of the motives & principles which should govern such a Convention,...
620From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 28 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 28 Mch. 1781 . This letter is virtually identical with TJ’s letter to Samuel Huntington, same date , with the exception of one paragraph in Huntington’s letter which was omitted in this. RC ( DLC : Washington Papers); in a clerk’s hand, signed by TJ; endorsed, in part: “Ansd. 18h. April.” FC ( Vi ). Enclosures ( DLC : Washington Papers): Copies of Nathanael Greene to TJ, 23 Mch. ;...
621To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 30 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President French copies of the communications of mister Genet on the subject of our debt to France, as they will convey his sense perhaps more faithfully to the Secretary of the treasury should the President think proper to refer them to him. he has changed the expression in the close of the 2d paragraph of the letter to mister Van Berkel, so as to...
622Report on Acts of Congress, 10 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of state, according to the requisition of the President of the US. of the 8th. instant has examined the laws passed during the late session of Congress and Reports That none of those laws relate to, or require the immediate or special agency of the President, except the ‘Act regulating foreign coins and for other purposes,’ (a copy of which is hereto annexed) whereupon it would...
623From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 26 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 26 Oct. 1780. This letter is almost identical with TJ’s letter to Thomas Sim Lee of this date, q.v. RC ( DLC : Washington Papers); in a clerk’s hand, signed by TJ; endorsed. Tr in DLC : TJ Papers. For variations in the text from the letter to Lee, see note there.
624To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 24 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns to the President mister Cooper’s pamphlet which he has perused with much satisfaction, & is thankful for the opportunity of perusing it, furnished him by the kindness of the President. AL , DLC:GW . Jefferson apparently enclosed the pamphlet that had been written recently by British native Thomas Cooper (1759–1839), who traveled to France in the spring of 1792 to lend...
625To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 25 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
The Director of the mint having given in to the Secretary of state a general statement of the monies hitherto received for the mint, to wit 15,000 Dollars from the Treasury, and 170.25 D. the proceeds of certain articles sold, as also of the expenditures of the mint amounting to 16,233.46 D. with an application for a further sum of 5000. Dollars the same are respectfully laid before the...
626From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 4 January 178[6] (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honoured with your letter of Sep. 26. which was delivered me by Mr. Houdon, who is safely returned. He has brought with him the mould of the face only, having left the other parts of his work, with his workmen to come by some other conveiance. Doctor Franklin, who was joined with me in the superintendance of this just monument, having left us before what is called the costume of...
627From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 4 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson, with his respects to the President, incloses him a letter from the Van Staphorsts & Hubbard quieting our apprehensions for the fate of the first dispatches sent to Mr. Short relative to our negociations with Spain.—Also another letter from Mr. Thatcher on the subject of the Marshal of Maine . RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the US.”; endorsed by Tobias Lear....
628Report on the Proceedings of the Southwest Territory, 19 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of State having received from the Secretary of the territory of the US. South of the Ohio a report of the proceedings of that government from Sep. 1. 1792. to the 16th. of Feb. 1793. Reports to the President of the US. That they do not contain any thing necessary for him to act on: unless, as it is suggested by Mr. Smith, it should be necessary to lay before Congress the act of...
629Note on the Subject of Vacant Consulships, 22 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon. Candidates. Edward Church. His case is known to the President. John Telles of Philadelphia. His papers inclosed. Samuel Harrison. See Colo. Humphrey’s lre. to the President. John Cowper. (Virginia) Recommended by Josiah Parker. Cadiz. The former candidates not approved, and no new offer. It is very desireable we should have a consul there. Should Mr. Church not be appointed to Lisbon,...
630To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 4 December 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of Aug. 31. came to hand yesterday; and a confidential conveiance offering, by the way of London, I avail myself of it to acknolege the receipt. I have seen, with infinite pleasure, our new constitution accepted by 11 states, not rejected by the 12th and that the 13th happens to be a state of the least importance. it is true that the minorities in most of the accepting states have...
631To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
It may seem odd considering the important events which have taken place in this State within the course of ten days past, that I should not have transmitted an account of them to your Excellency. but such has been their extraordinary rapidity & such the unremitted exertions they have required from all concerned in Government that I do not recollect the portion of time which I could have taken...
632Report on Appointment of Consul at Copenhagen, 10 January 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of State having received information that the Merchants and Merchandize of the United States are subject in Copenhagen and other ports of Denmark to considerable extra duties, from which they might probably be relieved by the presence of a Consul there; Reports to the President of the United States: That it would be expedient to name a Consul, to be resident in the port of...
633From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 15 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Albion Coxe, engaged in England by Mr. Pinckney as Assayer of the mint, has not yet completely qualified himself by giving security as required by law; in the mean time he has been of necessity employed at the mint in his proper capacity, and of course is entitled to paiment for his services. The Director of the mint asks instruction on this subject, and I should be of opinion he might pay...
634VII. Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, [7 June 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor of returning to the President [the report of the Secretary of the Treasury on the proposition of Mr. Genet. He is of opinion that all may be omitted which precedes the words ‘two modes of reimbursing or discharging &c.’] What follows […] [the reasons which are proper] and not offensive. [The following passage should perhaps be] altered. ‘It has repeatedly come under...
635To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 31 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to return to the President the copy of questions which had been destined for the judges. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State. For the questions prepared for submission to the justices of the Supreme Court, see Jefferson to GW, 18 July , and enclosure .
636To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 23 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 23 August 1791. Reports on the official communications from the secretary of the Northwest Territory from 1 Jan. to 30 June that “none of the said communications appear to require any thing to be done on the part of the Government of the United States; That they contain indeed the titles of several acts passed by the Territorial Legislature; but the Acts themselves not being yet...
637From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 13 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President of the U.S. and sends him the letter he has prepared for Mr. Hammond relative to his Commercial commission. He also incloses the rough draught of the one he has prepared on the subject of the treaty of peace, with the documents he proposes to communicate in support of the facts. The 1st. of these (the Substance of the Conference &c.) is...
638To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 12 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President Judge Turner’s answer. his office has been thoroughly searched, and no copy exists there of the act of Virginia giving money for the federal buildings: that of Maryland only is there. he is in hopes it may be among the President’s papers. Dr Barton, a learned & very ingenious gentleman of this city, mentioning to Th: J. that he had never...
639From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 8 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President a letter just received from Mr. Hammond, and the answer he proposes to give to it. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the US.”; endorsed by Tobias Lear. Tr ( Lb in same, SDC ). Not recorded in SJL . Enclosures: George Hammond to TJ , and TJ to Hammond, both 8 Aug. 1793
640To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 29 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of state has had under examination the Records of Proceedings in the Executive department of the Northwestern government from the 1st of Aug. to the 31st of December 1791—transmitted by the Secretary, and Reports to the President of the United States That finding nothing therein which calls for the attention or interference of the President, he has deposited them among the...
641From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 7 February 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
An account presented to me by Mr. John B. Cutting, for expenditures incurred by him in liberating the seamen of the United States in British ports during the impressments which took place under that government in the year 1790, obliges me to recall some former transactions to your mind. You will be pleased to recollect the numerous instances of complaint or information to us, about that time,...
642To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 26 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 8th instant. having found it impracticable to move suddenly the whole Convention troops, british and germans, and it being represented that there coud not immediately be covering provided for them all at fort Frederic we concluded to march of the British first from whom, was the principal danger of desertion and to permit the germans...
643IX. Report of the Secretary of State to the President, 18 January 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of State having received from the Chargé des Affaires of France a note on the Tonnage payable by French vessels in the ports of the United States has had the same under his consideration, and thereupon makes the following Report to the President of the United States. The Chargé des Affaires of France, by a Note of the 13th. of December represents, by order of his Court, that they...
644To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 7 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President the draught of a letter to mister Genet, in pursuance of the opinion of Saturday last approved by the President. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State. Jefferson wrote the enclosed letter to Edmond Genet of 7 Aug. as a result of the Cabinet Opinion on...
645From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 25 January 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President of the U.S. and subjoins what he supposes might form a proper introduction to the statement prepared by the Secretary at war. The occasion is so new, that however short the letter proposed, he has no doubt it will need correction both as to the matter and manner. Sir As the circumstances which have engaged the U.S. in the present Indian war,...
646From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 18 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inform the President that having, from a slight expression of Mr. Genet’s yesterday, doubted whether he did not chuse to wait upon the President separately from Mr. Ternant, he called on the latter yesterday evening, but he was not at home. He called again this morning, and left it to himself and Mr. Genet to come together or separately as they should chuse....
647To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 1 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inform the President that mr Madison has just delivered to him the result of his reflections on the question How shall communications from the several states to Congress through the channel of the President be made ? “he thinks that in no case would it be proper to go by way of letter from the Secretary of state: that they should be delivered to the houses either...
648IV. Estimates of Funds Required for the Diplomatic Establishment, 1790–1791, [19 July 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
Dollars Minister Plenipotentiary. His salary 9000. His Outfit. Suppose it to happen once in 7. years, will average 1285. His Return at a Quarter’s salary, will average 321. Extras. viz. Gazettes, translating, printing, aids to poor American sailors, couriers and postage about 350. His Secretary 1350. 12,306. Estimate for a Chargé des affaires. Chargé des affaires. His salary 4500 His...
649X. First Opinion of the Secretary of State, 28 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I am so deeply impressed with the magnitude of the dangers which will attend our government if Louisiana and the Floridas be added to the British empire, that in my opinion we ought to make ourselves parties in the general war expected to take place, should this be the only means of preventing the calamity. But I think we should defer this step as long as possible; because war is full of...
650To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 30 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President a letter received from Mr Maury, Consul at Liverpool, inclosing a copy of the order of the British government for intercepting our commerce in Grain. we shall doubtless receive it authentically & soon from mister Pinckney. in the mean time mister Maury’s information seems sufficient foundation to instruct mister Pinckney provisionally to...