51From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, with Levi Lincoln, [17] March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Madison the Secretary of State being not yet arrived at this place, and a favorable apportunity of addressing you, offering itself by a government vessel going to France with our late convention with that country, I avail myself of it being authorized by the President of the United States to perform the duties of this department per interim. The Country in which you reside having as well...
52From Thomas Jefferson to Philip Mazzei, 17 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Dec. 6. is just recieved, and a person leaving this place tomorrow morning for Paris, gives me a safe conveyance for this letter to that place. I shall depend on mr Short’s finding a conveyance from thence. yet as I know not what that conveyance may be, I shall hazard nothing but small & familiar matters. my health, which wore a very threatening aspect at the date of the letter...
53From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Pinckney, 17 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favour agreeing to accept an appointment as Minister plenipotentiary to the court of Spain, and wishing to know when it would be expected you should take your departure. the convenience of Colo. Humphreys, the present minister there is the circumstance which must chiefly influence that question. you should be there as early in autumn as may admit his return to this...
54From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 17 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
This letter will be handed you by mr Dawson, an antient acquaintance & fellow collegian of yours, who goes as the bearer of the ratification of our late convention with France. this ratification being on conditions which will occasion some of the ground of the preceding negociations to be recurred to & trodden over again, messrs. Elsworth & Murray will be called to Paris again for that...
55From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Stoddert, 17 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Dawson a member of the late Congress is appointed to be the bearer of the Convention with France, and will be ready to leave this place, within two days, for Baltimore & thence to proceed immediately for Havre, which I think the most eligible port for him to land at. I have therefore to ask the favor of you to give the necessary orders & instructions to the Commander of the Maryland to...
56From Thomas Jefferson to Volney, 17 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
You left this country in a state of high delirium. the paroxysm was very [tense?], but has been shorter than I expected. it is now compleatly recovered. this has been effected by the better […] conduct of your nation in a considerable degree, and by a development of the artifices & the objects of those who fomented the quarrel between us. our citizens are now generally returned to their...
57From Thomas Jefferson to Napoleon Bonaparte, 18 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
To testify to you the sincerity of the Government of the United States in its negotiations, I have transmitted to Oliver Ellsworth and William Vans Murray, two of the late Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary of the United States to the French Republic, the ratification of the Convention between the said States and the French Republic, signed at Paris on the 30th day of September...
58From Thomas Jefferson to Daniel Carroll Brent, 18 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Being to appoint a Marshall for the district of Columbia it has been intimated to me by a mutual friend that you might perhaps be willing to accept of that office. on this suggestion I take the liberty of proposing it to you. as a court is to be held here on Monday next, it becomes necessary for me to ask the favor of an answer by the bearer, mr M[ason]’s servant who goes expected for this...
59From Thomas Jefferson to Oliver Ellsworth and William Vans Murray, with Levi Lincoln, [18] March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Madison the Secretary of State being not yet arrived at the seat of Government I have been authorized by the President to discharge the duties of that office per interim; and among the objects which have claimed the earliest attention is the Convention signed by yourselves and General Davie with the government of France. This instrument was laid before the Senate on the 16th. of December...
60From Thomas Jefferson to William Jones, 18 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
In providing an administration for our government I was led by every just consideration to wish that General Smith of Baltimore should undertake the Secretaryship of the navy, and accordingly proposed it to him. after taking time to consider of it, I have this morning recieved a letter from him informing me it is not in his power. in this case I have no hesitation in making the proposition to...
61From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Paine, 18 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters of Oct. 1. 4. 6. 16. came duly to hand, and the papers which they covered were, according to your permission, published in the newspapers & in a pamphlet , & under your own name. these papers contain precisely our principles, & I hope they will be generally recognized here. determined as we are to avoid, if possible, wasting the energies of our people in war & destruction, we...
62From Thomas Jefferson to Philippe de Létombe, 19 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I was honored last night with your favor of the 15th. by mr Rapin, and owe you a thousand acknolegements for the trouble you are so good as to take, & still to offer with respect to the procuring a cook. I mentioned to Rapin that you had your choice of two. he said he did not know who they were, but he imagined one was of the name of Julien, as he was known to M. Flamand, and he should prefer...
63From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 19 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I snatch half a moment to inform you that a circumstance has occurred which will inevitably keep me a week longer or thereabouts. in the mean time my horses will wait I presume at Heron’s. my tender love to my dear Martha, & the little ones. Affectionate attachment to yourself. P.S. I do not know if there is any merit in the music inclosed. It has been sent to me. RC ( DLC ); endorsed by...
64From Thomas Jefferson to Madame de Tessé, 19 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
After so long a time & such various events, I take the liberty of recalling myself to your recollection. a letter I recieved yesterday from the Marquis de la Fayette informed me you were living in Paris. this is the only certain information I have recieved of the place where you were, except once by mr Gautier to whom I immediately addressed a letter for you, which I hope you recieved. I...
65From Thomas Jefferson to Pierre Samuel Du Pont de Nemours, 20 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
How many hard struggles, my dear friend, would it save me, had I really parted with my last vice on the 3d. of March. I thought you had known me better: but as you do not, I must endeavor to conceal, if I cannot eradicate, what remains amiss. I recommended to the Secretary at war your proposition on the subject of clothing. he wishes to avail himself of it and has instructed the proper agent...
66From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 20 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed, tho’ false and frivolous, yet requires to be answered with care. the other side of the medal requires to be shewn. we may safely admit there are talents of a certain kind on the other side; because all the talents which were venal have been bought up by the administration. Smith has refused. an offer is made to Jones. Duval has also refused & an offer is made to Kelty. health,...
67From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Mathias Gérard de Rayneval, 20 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Pichon, who arrived two days ago, delivered me your favor of Jan. 1. and I had before recieved one by mr Dupont dated Aug. 24. 99. both on the subject of lands claimed on the behalf of your brother mr Gèrard, and that of Aug. 24. containing a statement of the case. I had verbally explained to mr Dupont at the time, what I presumed to have been the case, which must I believe be very much...
68From Thomas Jefferson to Warren County Inhabitants, 20 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I tender my thankful acknolegements to the inhabitants of Warren county for their congratulations on my election to the chief magistracy of our country. I am duly sensible of the obligations imposed on me by the public will, as well as by the election made by the House of Representatives in the manner pointed out by our constitution, and no [endeavors] of mine shall be wanting to fulfil them....
69From Thomas Jefferson to George Caines, 21 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The desire you express to prefix my name to the work you are about to publish is gratifying to me as an additional testimonial of that approbation of my fellow citizens which is so consoling to me. the matter of your work possesses too much self importance to need any adventitious aid from external circumstances. it cannot fail to recommend itself to a very general attention. I ask the favor...
70From Thomas Jefferson to George Logan, 21 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
An immense press of business has prevented my sooner acknowleging your favors of Feb. 20. & 27. I join you in congratulations on the return of republican ascendency: and also in a sense of the necessity of restoring freedom to the ocean. but I doubt, with you, whether the US. ought to join in an armed confederacy for that purpose; or rather I am satisfied they ought not. it ought to be the...
71From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Priestley, 21 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I learnt some time ago that you were in Philadelphia, but that it was only for a fortnight, & supposed you were gone. it was not till yesterday I recieved information that you were still there, had been very ill but were on the recovery. I sincerely rejoice that you are so. yours is one of the few lives precious to mankind, & for the continuance of which every thinking man is solicitous....
72From Thomas Jefferson to James Warren, 21 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much gratified by the reciept of your favor of the 4th inst. and by the expressions of friendly sentiment it contains. it is pleasant for those who have just escaped threatened shipwreck, to hail one another when landed in unexpected safety. the resistance which our republic has opposed to a course of operation for which it was not destined, shews a strength of body which affords the most...
73From Thomas Jefferson to Isaac Weaver, Jr., 21 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I was duly honoured with your favor of Feb. 25. and am [from] duty bound to return my thanks for the expressions it contains of confidence and respect to myself. I perfectly agree with you that while it is necessary to clothe public magistrates with powers sufficiently nervous for order & defence that every surrender of power beyond that is improper. I believe too that a great deal more than...
74From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Fay, 22 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Feb. 21. has been too long unacknoleged. the press of business on a first entrance into office must apologize for me. it contains much to thank you for. while the esteem of my friends is dear to my heart, I see that their expectations are painfully too high; and especially in a scene of such vast extent, where we must of necessity depend on information not inspection. the...
75From Thomas Jefferson to Elijah Griffiths, 22 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of July last was delivered to me at Monticello, from which place I had nothing new, or worthy the subject of an answer. that of Feb. 22. is now to be acknoleged. I have considerable hopes that our government will go on with less opposition than preceding occasions have called for. I rather expect that several circumstances latterly have brought over & consolidated with us a large...
76From Thomas Jefferson to Nathaniel Niles, 22 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Feb. 12. which did not get to my hands till Mar. 2. is entitled to my acknolegements. it was the more agreeable as it proved that the esteem I had entertained for you while we were acting together on the public stage , had not been without reciprocated affect. what wonderful scenes have passed since that time! the late chapter of our history furnishes a lesson to man perfectly...
77From Thomas Jefferson to Columbia, South Carolina, Citizens, 23 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The reliance is most flattering to me [whic]h you are pleased to express in the character of my public conduct; as is the expectation with which you look forward to the inviolable preservation of our national constitution, deservedly the boast of our country. that peace, safety, & concord may be the portion of our native land, & be long enjoyed by our fellow citizens, is the most ardent wish of...
78From Thomas Jefferson to William Branch Giles, 23 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved two days ago your favor of the 16th. and thank you for your kind felicitations on my election; but whether it will be a subject of felicitation permanently will be for chapters of future history to say. the important subjects of the government I meet with some degree of courage & confidence, because I do believe the talents to be associated with me. the [honest] line of conduct we...
79From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Newton, 23 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I duly recieved your favor of the 12th. inst. and thank you for the information respecting the receipt of a consignment of old Madeira wines. I will gladly take a pipe of the Brazil quality which you mention to be the best: and should hope a means of conveying it hither would occur. the price I presume I shall be able to remit by a bill on the Collector of your port. We [hear] nothing very...
80From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 23 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of Feb. 1 did not reach me until Feb. 28. and a press of business has retarded my acknoleging it. I sincerely thank you for your congratulations on my election, but this is only the first verse of the chapter. what the last may be nobody can tell. a consciousness that I feel no wish but to do what is best, without passion or predilection, encourages me to hope for an indulgent...
81From Thomas Jefferson to Moses Robinson, 23 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the reciept of your favor of the 3d. inst. and to thank you for the friendly expressions it contains. I entertain real hope that the whole body of our fellow citizens (many of whom had been carried away by the XYZ. business) will shortly be consolidated in the same sentiments. when they examine the real principles of both parties I think they will find little to differ...
82From Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Rounsavell, 23 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sincerely sorry it is not in my power to attend to the explanation of your invention for raising water. but my duties to the public now require that I deny myself every gratification of that kind, however fond of it from inclination. objects of a very different nature require the whole of my time & attention, & the whole is not sufficient. I hope you will be so good as to accept of this...
83Enclosure: To Allegany County Republican Citizens, 23 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sensible of the kindness of the republican citizens of the county of Alleghany in Maryland, in their cordial congratulations on my election to the office of President of the United States, and I pray you to be the organ of my acknolegement to them. the confidence reposed in me on committing to my management the helm of our political affairs, shall not be abused; but, to the best of my...
84From Thomas Jefferson to William Findley, 24 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the receipt of your favors of Feb. 28. and Mar. 5. I thank you for the information they contain, and will always be thankful to you for information in the same line. it will always be interesting to me to know the impression made by any particular thing on the public mind. my idea is that where two measures are equally right, it is a duty to the people to adopt that one...
85From Thomas Jefferson to Philip Ludwell Grymes, 24 March 180[1] (Jefferson Papers)
Before I could answer your letter of Feb. 9. I had to write to mr Copeland & await an answer from him. this has been recieved some days, and I hereby, by virtue of the power of attorney from mrs Ariana Randolph to mr Boardley & myself jointly & severally, do release to you the one moiety of the judgment you conferred to Jenning’s executors on her behalf, satisfactory evidence being produced to...
86From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Habersham, 24 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I duly recieved your favor of yesterday. mr Barney’s memorial had before been delivered in. you may rest assured that no suspicions or distrust of the offices will be hastily admitted. I propose to consider the Post office as within the department of state, to which I have ever been of opinion it more properly belongs than to the treasury. the laws certainly do not contemplate it as a subject...
87From Thomas Jefferson to Carlos Martínez de Irujo, 24 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 18th. is recieved. in the meantime you will have recieved one of the 19th. from me . I have inserted in a letter to Colo. Humphreys what might be said with effect on the subject mentioned in your letter. if in time, I hope it will weigh. if not, when you take leave, you will of course recieve a letter, the tenor of which shall do you the justice due to you. I am in hopes...
88From Thomas Jefferson to Peter Legaux, 24 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
This is the first moment, since the reciept of your favor of the 4th. inst. that it has been in my power to acknowlege it, and to thank you for the kind offer of a number of vines. by this time I presume the season is too far advanced for their removal, & consequently that I must decline till another year availing myself of your liberality. and even then I would confine it to a few only, & of...
89From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 24 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 12th. is just now at hand. with respect to the time of your departure it will depend on the return of mr Dawson with the ratification of the Convention. we may expect this in 4. months: so that you may have time enough to prepare for your departure soon after his arrival. we shall join with you a Secretary of legation, to guard against any accident happening to yourself: and...
90From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Perkins, 24 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved in due time your favor of Feb. 6. but never till now have had a moment’s leisure to make you my acknolegements for the permission to use your invention. my nailers are employed in hammering nails, except one cutter for four pennies only, our neighborhood requiring no other cut nail. so that it is but a small business with me. still I like to see even small things done to the best...
91From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 24 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the reciept of your friendly favor of the 12th and the pleasing sensations produced in my mind by it’s affectionate contents. I am made very happy by learning that the sentiments expressed in my inaugural address give general satisfaction, and hold out a ground on which our fellow citizens can once more unite. I am the more pleased, because these sentiments have been long &...
92From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 24 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknowlege the reciept of your favor of the 20th. the appointment of Secy. of the navy, was immediately on receipt of your letter declining it, proposed to mr Jones of Philadelphia. I cannot have an answer from him till the night of the 26th. but I have great reason to expect a negative. in that case I will gladly for the public accept your offer to undertake it for a time. besides...
93From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sumter, 24 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Chancellor Livingston has accepted his mission to France, but will not proceed till mr Dawson returns with the ratification of the Convention. I have thought it useful to the public, instead of permitting ministers to take a private Secretary of their own choice, to name a Secretary of legation, who will do the duties of the private Secretary, and on the same salary (of 1350. Dollars) but on...
94From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Yznardi, Sr., 24 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
In your favor of the 18th. you mention having for disposal two casks of white & red Sherry, and one of Malaga. if the Sherry be dry, I will gladly take them , as also the Malaga. if you could order for me a pipe of dry Pacharetti , and one of dry Sherry of the first qualities, to be forwarded from Spain by the first safe occasion I should be obliged to you. I presume you have persons there on...
95From Thomas Jefferson to John Strode, 25 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved your kind favor of the 16th. yesterday only. I certainly always meant to claim the antient hospitality of you as I pass along. but when it became necessary to have horses & a servant posted on the road, where they might have to wait for me a week or weeks, my departure being so liable to be controuled by unexpected events, I could not possibly think of quartering them on you. for...
96To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 26 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
I am still here. Three refusals of the Naval Secretaryship have been re[c]ieved, and I am afraid of recieving a 4th. this evening from mr. Jones of Phila. In that case Genl. Smith has agreed to take it pro tempore, so as to give me time; and I hope the moment it is in either his or Jones’s hands, to get away; but this may be yet three four or five days. Lincoln is doing the duties of your...
97From Thomas Jefferson to Tobias Lear, 26 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to appoint a Consul to reside near Toussaint in St. Domingo, an office of great importance to us at present, and requiring great prudence. no salary is annexed to it: but it is understood to be in the power of the Consul, by means entirely honorable, to amass a profit in a very short time. Dr. Stevens is said to have done so, but perhaps [by] additional means not so justifiable. it...
98From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 26 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I am still here. three refusals of the Naval Secretaryship have been recieved, and I am afraid of recieving a 4th. this evening from mr Jones of Phila. in that case Genl. Smith has agreed to take it pro tempore, so as to give me time; and I hope the moment it is in either his or Jones’s hands, to get away; but this may be yet three four or five days. Lincoln is doing the duties of your office....
99From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas McKean, 26 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your favor of the 21st. and thank you for the communication it contained. I value it as a historical fact, as well as a strong evidence of the obligations I am under for the partiality of my country men to me: but rejoice with you that the views of the constitution were otherwise fulfilled. satisfied that the departure of the Chevr. d’Yrujo & his family must be a...
100From Thomas Jefferson to Sarah Mease, 26 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your favor of the 20th. inst. on the subject of mr Hall, and I readily ascribe honor to the motives from which it proceeds. the probable sufferings of a wife & numerous family are considerations which may lawfully weigh in the minds of the good, and ought to prevail when unopposed by others more weighty. it has not been the custom, nor would it be expedient for the executive...