851From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 19 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 17th. since which yours of the 14th. is recieved, and I now return the letters of Mr. Livingston & O’Brien. I hope the game mr Livingston says he is playing is a candid & honourable one. besides an unwillingness to accept any advantage which should have been obtained by other means, no other means can probably succeed there. an American contending by stratagem against those...
852From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 19 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 17th. on the subject of the stores for Algiers, since which your’s of the 12th. is recieved. I thought I had spoken to mr Madison on the day of my departure on the subject of the gun carriages for the emperor of Marocco. I now write to him respecting them. I presume the date of the enlistment of the crews of our frigates in the Mediterranean should decide which of them shall...
853From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 20 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 14th. is recieved and I have written to mr Madison to issue a commission to Edward Turner of Kentuckey to be Register of the land office at Natchez. a commission has issued to Trist vice Carmichael. Thompson and Watson may await my return. I now inclose the power for transferring the 2500. D. to the disposal of the Secretary at war. I do not find in my library any thing which can...
854From Thomas Jefferson to John Brown, 21 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his friendly salutations to mr Brown. he recieved a letter and some nuts from the lady to whom the inclosed is an answer. being entirely unacquainted with her as far as he recollects, he incloses it open to mr Brown with a request that he will be so good as to seal & have it delivered if no circumstance unknown to Th: Jefferson would render it improper; or better in the...
855From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, 21 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 14th. was recieved on the 18th. and this goes by the return of the first post, that which brought it not affording time for an answer. No. 2. in the draught mr King was so kind as to send me is exactly what Dr. Thornton explained to me as the original design except that he did not mention the two middle rows of trees, but only the two outer ones on each side: and, omitting...
856From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Waterhouse, 21 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns his acknolegements to Doctr. Waterhouse for his letter of the lst. inst. & the book accompanying it, which he recieved & will have the pleasure of perusing here, where he is on a visit of a fortnight, engaged in the rural operations of the season. the small pox having got into a neighborhood about 30. miles from this, he was enabled yesterday, with some vaccine matter he...
857From Thomas Jefferson to Elize Winn, 21 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns his thanks to mrs Winn for the Paccan nuts she was so kind as to send him ; which being recieved here, and in the season for planting, he has immediately committed to the earth. he makes his acknolegements also for the flattering terms in which she is pleased to speak of his political conduct; terms far beyond it’s actual merit. he sincerely desires to direct the affairs...
858From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 22 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 17th is recieved. I concur in your ideas that the request from the Bey of Tunis of a frigate of 36. guns should be complaisantly refused. I think the greatest dispatch should be used in sending either the guncarriages or money to Simpson for the emperor of Marocco, and the stores to Algiers; &, if you approve it, the powder on account : or perhaps it would be better to authorise...
859From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 23 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I now return you the papers recieved in yours of the 15th. inst. with thanks for the perusal, and sincere congratulations on the pleasure you must experience from the possession of a son whose talents afford a prospect not less comfortable to his family than promising to his country. amid the dreary prospect of a rising generation committed from their infancy to the education of bigotted &...
860From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 23 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 10th. came to hand two days ago only. I will carry with me to Washington the whole bundle of your papers, so as to be able to put into your hands any particulars of them. I informed you in my last that in the first week of this month 500. D. would be left in mr Barnes’s hands for you, and the same sum monthly until the whole of my balance should be paid up. I am disabled from...
861From Thomas Jefferson to James Walker, 25 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I find it to be the opinion of mr Lilly that having hired an extraordinary force for the year he shall be able to compleat the canal for my mill this summer. I have contracted with mr Hope to build the mill houses for both the small & large mills. the smaller one he will begin immediately. I must therefore ask of you to come over without delay and mark out the site of both. if you come before...
862From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 26 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
On recurring to my papers here, I find I had overlooked an order of Moran & Mattox for £16–8–9=54.70½ D paid by me to John H. Craven, and consequently that my order sent you in favor of Moran Feb. 8. was that much over the balance due from me to him. if therefore he has not drawn all his money from you, be so good as to consider this as a counterdemand of 54.70½. D part of which you had been...
863From Thomas Jefferson to John B. Magruder, 26 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved your note informing me of your mistake between the beech and birch. still however I must ask the favor of you to exert yourself and get for me all the beech you can, in breadths of 3½ Inches & of 7. Inches, and to do it immediately and give me information as soon as done. Accept my best wishes. PrC ( MHi ); at foot of text: “Mr. Magruder”; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso. John Bowie...
864From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 28 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 21st. came to hand on the 25th. I now return the letters of Thornton & Muhlenberg with entire approbation of your answers. I am in all cases for liberal conduct towards other nations, believing that the practice of the same friendly feelings & generous dispositions which attach individuals in private life will attach societies on the large scale, which are composed of individuals....
865From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 29 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your’s of the 17th. suggesting the sending into the Mediterranean the Constitution or the Philadelphia to overawe the Barbary powers. our plan of keeping one or two frigates there with 4. schooners was concluded on great & general consideration, on the supposition that war with Tripoli alone would go on. your letter suggests no new fact changing the state of things. I...
866From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, 7 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter from the committee of subscribers to the theatre which I recieved from you on the 18th. Ult. has been the subject of enquiry & consideration since my return to this place. the theatre is proposed to be built by private individuals, it is to be their private property, for their own emolument, & may be conveyed to any other private individual. to cede to them public grounds for such a...
867From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 8 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a list of my Bedford crop of tobo. made the last year, partly brought down to Richmond, & partly soon to be there under your care. I have lately understood tobacco is looking up. I will thank you for information what can be got; and if 7. Doll. can be got, you may sell it immediately. the money will be wanting July 12. as on that day I have to pay at your counting house a note of...
868Notes on a Cabinet Meeting, 8 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
1803. Apr. 8. present 4. Secretaries & Atty Genl. 1. is there sufficient ground to recall Morris & institute enquiry into his conduct. unanim. not. 2. shall Morris be ordd home in the returng vessel, & leave some other officer to command? unanim. not. 3. shall the return of the Chesapeake & Adams be countermanded till the 4. small vessels arrive? unanim. not. will be too [long?] 4. shall we...
869From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 9 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Mar. 21. was recieved here on the 4th. inst. the warrant to your son as midshipman had been suspended for enquiry on a suggestion of too great a propensity in him to drink. no information has been recieved, but your’s is sufficient. it is sufficient that you are apprised of it, and state the nature of the case yourself. his warrant was therefore signed two days ago, and has been,...
870From Thomas Jefferson to Nicolas Gouin Dufief, 9 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of mr Dufief to procure for him the following books. Pensees de Pascal Dr. Priestley’s Harmony of the evangelists in Greek. 4. vols. the same Harmony in English with notes & paraphrase. 4to. Dr. Priestley being in Philadelphia can probably inform mr Dufief if there be any depot of his works at any particular book-shop in Philadelphia. he presents him his...
871From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Priestley, 9 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
While on a short visit lately to Monticello, I recieved from you a copy of your comparative view of Socrates & Jesus, and I avail myself of the first moment of leisure after my return to acknolege the pleasure I had in the perusal of it, and the desire it excited to see you take up the subject on a more extensive scale. in consequence of some conversations with Dr. Rush in the years 1798.99. I...
872From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph T. Scott, 9 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I informed you in my letter of Mar. 6. of the measure I had taken to answer the object of your’s of Feb. 25. I now inclose you two accounts of the family of General Washington from persons intimately acquainted with them and entirely to be relied on, and tender you my best wishes & respects. PrC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “Mr. Joseph Scott”; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso. Enclosures not found,...
873From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 10 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
It appears that on the 31st. Mar. 1800. a paiment of cents & half cents was made into the treasury, which raised the whole amount paid in to more than 50,000. D. and that the Treasurer ought then forthwith to have announced it in the gazettes. consequently it ought, now that the omission is first percieved, to be forthwith announced. nevertheless, as the continuance of the mint is uncertain,...
874From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 11 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you a letter from Gordon’s on the 31st. of March, which having been on a particular subject , I am anxious to know that it has got safely to your hands. be so good as by return of post to say you have recieved it whenever you shall have recieved it.—nothing interesting from France. affectionate salutations. PrC ( MHi ); endorsed by TJ in ink on verso. TJ’s letter from gordon’s Tavern,...
875IV. Instructions for Meriwether Lewis, 20 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
To Meriwether Lewis esquire, Captain of the 1st Regiment of infantry of the United States of America. Your situation as Secretary of the President of the United States has made you acquainted with the objects of my confidential message of Jan. 18. 1803. to the legislature: you have seen the act they passed, which, tho’ expressed in general terms, was meant to sanction those objects, and you...
876From Thomas Jefferson to John Walker, 13 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the fourth did not come to hand ‘till last night—it covered a copy of that of May 15th 1788—which I had only hastily read in the hands of Genl. Lee — I think its miscarriage unfortunate; as, had I received it I should without hesitation have made it my first object to have called on you on my return to this country, & to have come to an understanding as to the course we were to...
877From Thomas Jefferson to Hammuda Pasha, Bey of Tunis, 14 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of September the 8th of the last year has been lately received by me, and I observe with pleasure that the Stores and jewels sent you on our part have given entire satisfaction, and that you preserve for our nation those sentiments of friendship which we wish to cultivate and continue: and it is further intimated that the present of a frigate of 36 guns would at this time be...
878From Thomas Jefferson to Jones & Howell, 14 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your two last bills for iron furnished were for 278. Dollars falling due this month, & 47. D 45c due the next month, I now inclose you the amount of both, towit a 50. dollar Pensva bank bill and a check of the branch bank here on the bank of the US. for 275.45 D. making in the whole 325. D 45c which I hope will get safe to hand. In the first week of the ensuing month be pleased to ship to the...
879From Thomas Jefferson to Louis Philippe Gallot de Lormerie, 14 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to M. de L’ormerie & hopes he will do him the justice to ascribe to the indispensable calls of the public affairs the impossibility of answering letters of private correspondence not relating to business. he knows of no institution in these states where the objects described in M. de Lormerie’s letter might be sought after, unless in a private one...
880From Thomas Jefferson to S. Smith & Buchanan, 14 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeably to the tenor of your letter of Mar. 14. recieved only the 4th. inst. I now inclose you a note of the branch bank here on that of Baltimore for 42.42 D for the freight from Lisbon, duties & porterage of two casks of wine sent for me by mr Jarvis. should he inform you of the cost &c. due him you will oblige me by communicating it. Accept my salutations. PrC ( MHi ); at foot of text:...
881From Thomas Jefferson to William, Benjamin, and W. L. Bakewell, 15 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Feb. 8. came to my hands only a few days ago and yesterday the barrel of ale therein mentioned was delivered here. I am to return you thanks in the first place for the indulgence with which you view my character & administration, and the dispositions you express in favor of those political principles which have made this country what it is, & the abandonment of which, whenever...
882From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund J. Lee, Cuthbert Powell, and Archibald McClean, 15 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeably to the request in your letter of Dec. 30. when at Monticello the last month, I examined my collection of the Virginia laws and found in it those below mentioned which [related] to Alexandria & were not noted in your catalogue of those you possess. I delivered the volumes, with the list of the acts to a person who will copy them carefully & forward them to me. when recieved they shall...
883From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 15 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 2d. was recd on the 7th. & that of the 12th. last night. as you had informed mr Barnes not to write to you to New York after the 4th. and me, that you would notify me of your arrival in Philadelphia, I was awaiting that to answer your letter. I now do it at hazard & shall address it to you at Philadelphia to be kept in the post office till called for. I have not time at this...
884From Thomas Jefferson to Louis Philippe Gallot de Lormerie, 16 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to M. de Lormerie, and regrets that it is not in his power to accept the proposals he is so kind as to make him on the subject of his tapestry. circumstances in his own situation render it neither prudent nor practicable on his own private account, nor has he any authority to do it for the public. he is in hopes some of the rich persons in & near the...
885From Thomas Jefferson to João, Prince Regent of Portugal, 18 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your letter of the 26. of October last in which your Royal Highness has been pleased to communicate to me, that the Princess of Brazil, your much loved Spouse, had that day happily increased your Royal Family by the birth of a Son. Participating in all the events which may increase your happiness, we offer you on this joyous occasion our sincere congratulations, and we pray you...
886I. 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...
887II. To George III, King of Great Britain, 18 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have made choice of one of our distinguished citizens to reside near your Majesty, in the quality of Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America. He is well informed of the relative interests of the two Countries, and of our sincere desire to cultivate and strengthen the friendship and good correspondence between us; and from a knowledge of his fidelity, probity and good...
888III. To Napoleon Bonaparte, 18 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Circumstances rendering it expedient that Robert R. Livingston who has for some time past resided with you as our Minister Plenipotentiary should be in a situation to render other services to his Country, we have authorized him to take his leave of you, embracing that occasion to assure you of our friendship and sincere desire to preserve and strengthen the harmony and good understanding...
889IV. Commission for Minister Plenipotentiary to France, 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 of the United States of America to the Republic of France, authorizing you hereby to do and perform all such matters and things as to the said place or office do appertain, or as...
890V. To Napoleon Bonaparte, 19 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have made choice of one of our distinguished Citizens, to reside near the French Republic in quality of Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America. He is well apprized of the friendship which we bear to your Republic, and of our desire to cultivate the harmony and good correspondence so happily subsisting between us. From a knowledge of his fidelity, probity and good...
891VI. To Charlotte, Queen of Great Britain, 20 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have named Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to your Royal consort. My knowledge of his good qualities gives me full confidence that he will so conduct himself, as to merit your esteem. I pray therefore, that you yield entire credence to the assurances, which he will bear to you of our friendship; and that God may always have you, Madam, our Good friend, in his...
892From Thomas Jefferson to Edward Dowse, 19 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I now return the sermon you were so kind as to inclose me , having perused it with attention. the reprinting it by me, as you have proposed, would very readily be ascribed to hypocritical affectation, by those who, when they cannot blame our acts, have recourse to the expedient of imputing them to bad motives. this is a resource which can never fail them; because there is no act, however...
893From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, 19 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the Attorney general’s opinion on so much of the act concerning the city of Washington as relates to the monies allowed to it’s officers. you will percieve that he thinks the appropriation for yourself the only one limited to a particular period of time, viz from July 1. 1802. to Dec. 31. 1803 that the time for which the other appropriations are made is undefined, and the monies...
894From Thomas Jefferson to Isaac Briggs, 20 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The writer of the inclosed letter, James Dinsmore, is an excellent young man from Philadelphia, who has lived in my family as a housejoiner 5. or 6. years. I have great confidence in his recommendations making due allowance for the connection in this case. of his brother John Dinsmore I know nothing. but as he resides near the Natchez, should you have occasion for him, you can learn his...
895From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 21 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The act of Congress 1789. c. 9. assumes on the General government the maintenance & repair of all lighthouses, beacons, buoys & public piers then existing, and provides for the building a new lighthouse . this was done under the authority given by the constitution ‘to regulate commerce,’ was contested at the time as not within the meaning of these terms, & yielded to only on the urgent...
896From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 21 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
In some of the delightful conversations with you, in the evenings of 1798. 99. which served as an Anodyne to the afflictions of the crisis through which our country was then labouring, the Christian religion was sometimes our topic: and I then promised you that, one day or other, I would give you my views of it. they are the result of a life of enquiry & reflection, and very different from...
897Doctrines of Jesus Compared with Others, 21 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Syllabus of an Estimate of the merit of the doctrines of Jesus, compared with those of others. In a comparative view of the Ethics of the enlightened nations of antiquity, of the Jews, and of Jesus, no notice should be taken of the corruptions of reason, among the antients, to wit, the idolatry & superstition of their vulgar, Nor of the corruptions of Christianity by the over learned among...
898From Thomas Jefferson to DeWitt Clinton, 22 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 12th. was recieved in due time, and I had immediately a consultation with mr G . on the subject. he explained to me the circumstances, with which I had only been partially acquainted before, and as he shewed every disposition for indulgence which his position would admit, I engaged him to write to you, as he could better explain his views of the case than I could. to that then I...
899From Thomas Jefferson to Hammuda Pasha, Bey of Tunis, 22 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Eaton, who has resided at Tunis for some time past, in the character of our Consul, having requested leave to return home to visit his family and to attend to his affairs, I have yielded to his request and appointed Mr. James Leander Cathcart to fill the vacancy which will be left. Mr Cathcart, who possesses such good qualities, as I hope will recommend him to your notice and esteem, is...
900From Thomas Jefferson to Lewis Harvie, 22 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my return to this place I have been in the daily expectation that the stage of the day would bring back Capt Lewis, and that then within a few days he would set out on his Missisipi expedition. it was only the day before yesterday I learned that he had been detained at Harper’s ferry a month instead of a week, and that he is probably but about this time arriving at Philadelphia, where...