601From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 10 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to submit to the judgment of the President the rough draught of the Report he has prepared on commerce. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); endorsed by Tobias Lear. Tr ( Lb in same, SDC ). Not recorded in SJL . The text sent to Washington, in the hand of George Taylor, Jr., with revisions made by TJ in response to comments he had solicited from Tench Coxe, is in DLC : TJ...
602I. Statement of the American Debt to France, [ca. 12 February 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Loan of 18. Millns. 6. Millns. Interest payable 10. Millions Total due in Dollars. Payments made each year. Balance unpaid at end of each year. Principal payable Interest payable Principal payable Interest payable day of paiment Sep. 3. day of payment Jan. 1. day of payment Nov. 5. 1784. 900,000 300,000 1785. 900,000 300,000 }
603II. Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 12 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
According to the desire you expressed the other day when speaking of the application of France for 3. millions of livres, I have the honour to inclose a statement of the Questions which appear to me to enter into the consideration of that application. After putting them on paper, I saw that some developements and observations would be necessary to explain their propriety and connection. These...
604III. Questions on the Application of France, 12 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Questions arising on the application of France for 3. millions of livres to be sent in Provisions to France. I. 1. Has the Legislature furnished the money? 2. is that money in it’s place, or has it been withdrawn for other purposes? 3. if it has, should we not take the first proper occasion of rectifying the transaction by repaying the money to those for whom the law provided it? 4. is the...
605IV. Observations on the Questions about the Application of France, 12 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I. The First question is Whether the application of the Executive of France for 3. millions of livres = 544,500 Doll. is to be complied with? But to be in condition to solve this, some preliminary Queries and Observations are necessary. Qu. Has the Legislature done their part, by providing the money? The act of 1790. Aug. 4. c.34. §.2. authorized the President to borrow 12. Millions of...
606From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 14 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President sends him a letter from Mr. Short. Also a circular letter he has written to the foreign ministers at Philadelphia, in order to place his Report on commerce on safe ground as to them. Also a copy of the statement of the French debt as furnished me by Mr. Ternant. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); dateline at foot of text; addressed: “The President of the...
607From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 14 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President and returns him the letters from the Commissioners. He does not recollect whether he shewed him his letter to Ellicot the only one he has written to him since last Summer. Lest he should not have done it he now incloses it. He thinks it impossible that any thing in that could have produced ill humour in Ellicot towards the Commissioners and...
608Memorandum on Consuls and Consular Appointments, 15 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Consuls remaining in office. Feb. 15. 1793. Consuls &c. who have resigned or abandoned their Consulates. Candidates for appointments. Havre. Nathaniel Cutting of Massachusets to be Consul. Falmouth. Edward Fox. of Gr. Britain. to be Consul. Our ships often touch at Falmouth for orders, and have occasion for patronage to prevent their being forced to enter. A safe person there also for taking...
609Report on the Petition of John Rogers, 16 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of State, to whom was referred by the House of Representatives of the United States, the Petition of John Rogers, setting forth that as an Officer of the State of Virginia, during the last war, he became entitled to Two thousand Acres of Lands on the North east side of the Tennissee at it’s confluence with the Ohio, and to 2400 Acres in different parcels, between the same River...
610From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 16 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to send to the President the copy of a Report he proposes to give in to the H. of Representatives on Monday on the subject of a Petition of John Rogers referred to him. The President will see by Mr. Hammond’s letter, now inclosed, that he has kindled at the facts stated in Th:J’s report on commerce. Th:J. adds the draught of an answer to him, if the President should...
611From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 17 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor with his respects to the President to communicate the answers he has received from the Representatives of France and Spain with his replies. 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: (1) Josef Ignacio de Viar and Josef de Jaudenes to TJ, 15 Feb. 1793 . (2) Jean...
612Memorandum on Consuls Recommended for Appointment, 18 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Havre. Nathaniel Cutting of Massachusets, Consul of the U.S. of A. for the port of Havre in France, and for such other parts of that country as shall be nearer to the said port than to the residence of any other Consul or Vice consul of the U.S. within the same allegiance. Falmouth. Edward Fox native of Great Britain. Consul of the US. of A. for the port of Falmouth in the kingdom of Great...
613From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 18 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Commissioners of the Territory of the United States on the Potomac having, according to law, had the said Territory surveyed and defined by proper metes and bounds, and transmitted their report with a plat of the boundary, I have now the honor to lay them before you. As this work has been executed under the Authority of the Legislature, I presume it would be proper to communicate the...
614From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 20 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson, with his respects to the President, has the honor of inclosing him a letter he proposes to send to the Speaker to-day, if approved by the President: also the translation of some papers given him by Mr. Ternant three or four days ago, which he has not before had time to prepare: also extract of a private letter from Mr. Short. Th:J. will have the honor of waiting on the President...
615Enclosure: Extracts of Letters concerning Gouverneur Morris and William Short, [20 February 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Pro memoriâ. Different extracts relative to the Minister Plen. of the U.S. in France. Letter from M. Le Brun Minister of foreign affairs to the Minister of France with the U.S. dated Sep. 13. 1792. ‘We have been as much astonished, as piqued at the forms , and tone assumed by the American Minister. We expected to find in him dispositions which would manifest the close union which should...
616From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, [22 February 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President, incloses him a letter he received from Mr. Short yesterday, by which he expected to leave the Hague on the 12th. of December: also the answers he has prepared to the two petitions from Post Vincennes . RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); undated; addressed: “The President of the US.”; endorsed by Tobias Lear as a letter of 22 Feb. 1793. Tr ( Lb in same,...
617Cabinet Opinions on Indian Affairs, [25 February 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
The President having required the attendance of the heads of the three departments and of the Attorney general at his house on Monday the 25th. of Feb. 1793. the following questions were proposed and answers given. 1. The Governor of Canada having refused to let us obtain provisions from that province or to pass them along the water communication to the place of treaty with the Indians, and...
618Cabinet Opinions on the Debt to France, 25 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Feb. 25. 1793. The President desires the opinions of the heads of the three departments and of the Attorney General on the following question, to wit. Mr. Ternant having applied for money equivalent to three millions of livres to be furnished on account of our debt to France at the request of the Executive of that country, which sum is to be laid out in provisions within the US. to be sent to...
619From 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 ,
620From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 25 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inform the President that he called this evening on M. de Ternant, who produced to him the original letter of M. Le Brun instructing him to apply to our government for two millions of livres to be laid out in flour and one million in salted provisions. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the U.S.”; endorsed by Tobias Lear. PrC ( DLC ). Not...
621Cabinet Opinion on Military Rations, 28 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Having considered the note of the President of the U.S. to General Knox, on the subject of increased rations; we are of opinion, that a proposition to congress at this time concerning such increase would be inexpedient, even if the question were more free from difficulty, than it is. But liable as it is to objections , the inexpediency of such a proposition now , acquires double force. MS (...
622George Washington to the Senate, with Jefferson’s Note to Washington, 28 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I was led, by a consideration of the qualifications of Patterson of New Jersey to nominate him an associate justice of the Supreme court of the US. It has since occurred that he was a member of the Senate when the act creating that office was passed and that the time for which he was elected had not yet expired. I think it my duty therefore to declare that I deem the nomination to have been...
623Memorandum on Consular Appointments, 1 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Demarara. Samuel Cooper Johonnet of Massachusets to be Consul for the US. at the port of Demarara and for all parts under the same allegiance in America which shall be nearer to the said port than to the residence of any other Consul or Vice consul of the US. within the same allegiance. Malaga. Michael Murphy of Malaga in the kingdom of Spain to be Consul for the US. at the said port of...
624Cabinet Opinion on the American Debt to France, 2 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President communicated to the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of War and the Attorney General of the United States, a letter from William S. Smith Esqr. of the 28th. of February past, to the Secretary of the Treasury, with sundry Papers No. I. II. III and IV. relating to a negotiation for changing the form of the debt to France; and required their opinion...
625Report on the Proceedings of the Northwest Territory, 2 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of State has examined the Journal of the Proceedings in the Executive department of government Northwest of the Ohio from July 1. 1792. to Dec. 31. 1792. referred to him by the President of the United States, and thereupon Reports That there is nothing contained in the said Journal which calls for any thing to be done on the part of the President of the United States. RC ( DNA :...
626From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 4 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respectful compliments to the President. Apprehensive that there has been some misconception of his correspondence with Mr. Ellicot, he incloses to the President full copies of the only letters he has written to Mr. Ellicot in the course of the years 1792. and 1793. The last of them was written with no other view than to prevent public altercation between Mr. Ellicot...
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....
628From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 5 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President is sorry to inclose him an account of Mr. Barclay’s death in a letter to a Mr. Callahan of this place from his brother in Lisbon. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the US”; endorsed by Tobias Lear. Tr ( Lb in same, SDC ). Not recorded in SJL . Enclosure: “Extract of a Letter dated Lisbon 24th. January 1793,” describing the...
629From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 9 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President and sends him a letter put into his hands by Govr. St. Clair. He also sends him Govr. Clinton’s answer, this moment received. He does not say how it happened that Th:J’s letter of Feb. 17. did not get to him till Feb. 28. It was certainly put into the Post office here on the morning of Feb. 18. It must be presumed the Govr. has been absent...
630Report 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...
631Report on Boundaries with the Western Indians, 10 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of state, according to instructions received from the President of the US. Reports That, for the information of the Commissioners appointed to treat with the Western Indians, he has examined the several treaties entered into with them, subsequent to the declaration of Independance, and relating to the lands between the Ohio and lakes; and also the extent of the grants,...
632Opinion on Compensation to the Commissioners of the Federal District, 11 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Qu. 1? What sacrifice may be made to retain Mr. Johnson in the office of Commissioner for the federal territory? Answ. for such an object it is worth while to give up the plan of an allowance per diem, to give, instead of that, a sum in gross, and to extend that sum to 500. Dollars per annum, and expences; the latter to be rendered in account. If Mr. Johnson persists in resigning, as it is...
633From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 13 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President draughts of the instruments which he suggested as proper to be given formally to each tribe of Indians whose circumstances may call for such a manifestation of our views with respect to them. The first is a Letter of protection of the ordinary tenor, except that it declares a protection of the lands as well as the persons and other...
634Enclosure: Stephen Hallet’s Description of His New Plan for the Capitol, [ca. 15 March 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Succinct description of a new Plan of a Capitol by Mr. Hallet. The principal front is in a direct line of 320. feet in length, having in the middle a circular projection of 105. feet diameter, very nearly of the proportions of the Pantheon, and crowned in the same taste, the same Cornish, surmounted by a balustrade, crowns the whole edifice which is proposed to be covered in terrasses. The...
635From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 15 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President, sends him the draught of a letter to Madame de la Fayette, as also the draught of a letter to Mr. Morris. If this be approved, he proposes to write a like one to Mr. Pinckney. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the US.”; endorsed by Tobias Lear. PrC ( DLC ). Tr ( Lb in DNA : RG
636From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 17 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respectful compliments to the President returns him Colo. Humphrey’s letter and those from George town. The last are indeed disagreeable: yet there does not seem any room for the President’s interposition.—Should Dr. Stewart and Mr. Johnson persist in their idea of retiring, it seems really desireable that they should do it separately, leaving such an interval between...
637From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 18 March 1793 (Jefferson 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. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the US.”; endorsed by Tobias Lear. Tr ( Lb in DNA...
638From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 20 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson, with his respects to the President, observes in answer to the note of yesterday respecting directions to the Mint for the assay of the new coins, that the Departments being instituted to relieve the President from the details of execution, it will be sufficient that the directions go from the head of the department, the President’s approbation being known. They shall accordingly...
639From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 20 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson, with his respects to the President incloses him the draught of a letter to Mr. Pinckney: also some Canada gazettes, with the letter from Colo. Fay accompanying them. He perceives from this letter that Colo. Fay had not awaited his approbation to make use of the name of Th:J. in the land-job. He thinks it possible the government of Canada may get hold of this, and perhaps make...
640From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 21 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President incloses him draughts of letters in the Algerine business. In that to Colo. Humphreys he proposes a modification of the former instructions in one point, on a presumption that the President will be disposed to approve it. He will wait on him to-day to know his pleasure, as also to submit to his consideration the question of Mr. Genet’s reception...
641From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 23 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Before your departure, it becomes necessary for me to sollicit your orders on the Treasury for the third year’s allowance under the act concerning intercourse with foreign nations . This act commenced July 1. 1790. Two years allowance have been furnished and a sum of 500. Dollars over. Nine months of the 3d. year are now nearly elapsed, and according to an estimate I had the honor of giving in...
642From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 24 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President and submits to his approbation an addition to the letter to Messrs. Carmichael and Short. The circumstances and prospects under which the guarantee of Louisiana had been suggested are so changed, as in his opinion to render it better to retract that suggestion, and to forbid the guarantee. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President...
643From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 25 March 1793 (Jefferson 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...
644From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 26 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President, incloses a description of a new plan of a Capitol in which Mr. Hallet is engaged, who has expressed very earnest wishes that the ultimate decision may not be pronounced till he can bring it forward. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the US.”; endorsed by Washington. Tr ( Lb in same, SDC ). Not recorded in SJL . For the...
645From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 1 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Report brought by a captain of a ship from Lisbon just in the moment of your departure that France had declared war against several nations, involved in that declaration almost every power of Europe. I therefore suspect that it has arisen from Kersaint’s proposition to declare war against every nation, which a pilot may not have distinguished from a declaration. Still I have thought it...
646From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 7 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The accounts of the last week from Lisbon, announcing an actual declaration of war by France against England and Holland, when applied to the preceding note of the British court ordering the French minister to leave London (which is generally considered as preliminary to a declaration of war) now render it extremely probable that those powers are at actual war, and necessary in my opinion that...
647Report on the Fund for Foreign Intercourse, 18 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of state thinking it his duty to communicate to the President his proceedings of the present year for transferring to Europe the annual fund of 40,000 Dollars appropriated to the department of state (a report whereof was unnecessary the two former years, as monies already in the hands of our bankers in Europe were put under his orders) Reports That in consequence of the...
648Cabinet Opinion on Washington’s Questions on Neutrality and the Alliance with France, [19 April 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments and the Attorney general at the President’s Apr. 19. 1793. by special summons to consider of several questions previously communicated to them in writing by the President. Qu. I. Shall a Proclamation issue &c.? [see the questions] agreed by all that a Proclamation shall issue, forbidding our citizens to take part in any hostilities on the seas with or...
649III. Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 28 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
According to the intimation the other day, and indeed according to my own wish in a question, if not difficult, yet very important, I have the honor to inclose you a written opinion on the question Whether the US. ought to declare their treaties with France void, or suspended? This contains my answer to the 2d. 3d. 4th. 5th. and 6th. of the written queries . The 1st. had been before answered...
650IV. Opinion on the Treaties with France, 28 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I proceed, in compliance with the requisition of the President, to give an opinion in writing on the general Question, Whether the US. have a right to renounce their treaties with France, or to hold them suspended till the government of that country shall be established? In the Consultation at the President’s, on the 19th. inst. the Secretary of the Treasury took the following positions and...