631To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 12 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
Th. Jefferson had a conference yesterday with mister Madison on the subject recommended by the President. he has the honor of inclosing him some considerations thereon, in all of which he believes mister Madison concurred. he has sketched the heads only, as the President’s mind will readily furnish the developement of each. he will wait on the president at one aclock on some other business,...
632Enclosure: Jefferson’s Opinion of American Conduct in an Anglo-Spanish War, 12 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
Heads of consideration on the conduct we are to observe in the war between Spain & Gr. Britain and particularly should the latter attempt the conquest of Louisiana & the Floridas. The dangers to us, should Great Britain possess herself of those countries. she will possess a territory equal to half ours, beyond the Missisipi she will seduce that half of ours which is on this side the Missisipi...
633Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 12 July 1790 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Abstract. 12 July 1790, New York. Secretary Jefferson reports to Washington that he “had a conference yesterday with mr. Madison on the subject recommended by the President. He has the honor of inclosing him some considerations thereon, in all of which he believes mr. Madison concurred.” The enclosure, in Jefferson’s hand, delineates “the conduct we are to observe in the war between Spain and...
634I. Secretary of State to the President, enclosing Opinion, 12 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson had a conference yesterday with Mr. Madison on the subject recommended by the President. He has the honor of inclosing him some considerations thereon, in all of which he believes Mr. Madison concurred. He has sketched the heads only, as the President’s mind will readily furnish the developement of each. He will wait on the president at one aclock on some other business, and then...
635Enclosure: Jefferson’s Outline of Policy Contingent on War between England and Spain, 12 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
MS ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); in TJ’s hand; endorsed by Washington: “The Secretary of State 12th July 1790”; brackets in MS . Dft ( DLC ); in TJ’s hand; text varies from that above, principally in phraseology, but some of more important differences are noted below (full text printed, though not with complete accuracy, in Ford, Paul Leicester Ford, ed., The Writings of Thomas Jefferson , Letterpress...
636To 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...
637From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 15 June 1790 (Jefferson 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 and papers from him. The printed papers are merely to prove his dispositions enounced in the...
638Memorandum of Thomas Jefferson, 7 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
North Carolina. District judge. Colo. Davie is recommended by Steele. Hawkins sais he is their first law character. Brown sais the same. Samuel Spencer. Steele sais he is a good man, one of the present judges, not remarkeable for his abilities, but deserves well of his country. Bloodworth sais Spencer desires the appointment. but sais nothing of him. John Stokes. Steele names him at his own...
639Recommendations for Federal Offices in North Carolina and the Southwestern Government, [before 7 June 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
District Judge District attorney. South-Western government Governor. Secretary. Judges. Attorney. MS ( DLC : Applications for Office under Washington); entirely in TJ’s hand; undated but docketed in Lear’s hand: “From the Secretary of State June 7th. 1790.” Dft ( DLC : TJ Papers, 59: 10192); also in TJ’s hand and undated, varying in phraseology but not in substance except in the instances...
640II. The Opinion of Thomas Jefferson, 3 June 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The accounts of the souldiers of Virginia and North Carolina having been examined by the proper officer of government, the balances due to each individual ascertained, and a list of these balances made out, this list became known to certain persons before the souldiers themselves had information of it, and those persons, by unfair means, as is said, and for very inadequate considerations...
641To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 3 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
The state of Georgia having granted to certain companies of individuals a tract of country within their chartered limits, whereof the Indian right has never yet been acquired, with a proviso in the grant which implies that those individuals may take measures for extinguishing the Indian right under the authority of that government, it becomes a question How far this grant is good? A society...
642To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 3 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
a letter is received from Mr Dumas, begun Dec. 4 & ending Jan. 26. the only interesting passage is the following “I have the satisfaction to be able to testify that the American funds are in great favor with the monied men of this country. I have seen them sell from one to another the obligations of the Congress of the first loan at 100.¾ per cent; those of the last of 1788. at 99 to 100....
643From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, [3 May 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
A letter is received from Mr. Dumas, begun Dec. 4 and ending Jan. 26. The only interesting passage is the following: ‘I have the satisfaction to be able to testify that the American funds are in great favor with the monied men of this country. I have seen them sell from one to another the obligations of the Congress of the first loan at 100. ¾ per cent; those of the last of 1788. at 99 to 100....
644To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 29 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
Mr Jefferson has the honor to submit to the President draughts of letters to mr Short and the Marquis de la Luzerne. as to the former he asks his attention to the paragraph respecting the devices for the Medal. he hopes he will change and accomodate the letter to M. de la Luzerne to his own ideas of the part that gentleman acted, & of the length proper to go in expressing our sense of it. the...
645From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 29 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson has the honor to submit to the President draughts of letters to Mr. Short and the Marquis de la Luzerne. As to the former he asks his attention to the paragraph respecting the devices for the Medal.—He hopes he will change and accomodate the letter to M. de la Luzerne to his own ideas of the part that gentleman acted, and of the length proper to go in expressing our sense of it....
646To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 24 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Constitution having declared that the President “shall nominate, & by & with the advice & consent of the Senate, shall appoint ambassadors other public ministers & consuls” the President desires my opinion whether the Senate has a right to negative the grade he may think it expedient to use in a foreign mission, as well as the person to be appointed? I think the Senate has no right to...
647To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 5 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
Mr Jefferson has the honor of inclosing for the perusal of the President rough draughts of the letters he supposes it proper to send to the court of France on the present occasion. he will have that of waiting on him in person immediately to make any changes in them the President will be so good as to direct, and to communicate to him two letters just received from mr Short. AL , DNA : RG 59,...
648From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 5 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson has the honor of inclosing for the perusal of the President rough draughts of the letters he supposes it proper to send to the court of France on the present occasion. He will have that of waiting on him in person immediately to make any changes in them the President will be so good as to direct, and to communicate to him two letters just received from Mr. Short. RC ( DNA : RG...
649To 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...
650From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, [1 April 1790] (Jefferson 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...
651I. Plans presented to Washington, [26 March 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
Establishment for Dollars A Minister Plenipotentiary. His salary 11,250 his Secretary 1,350 postage, couriers &c. 400 Outfit, suppose it to happen once in 7. years will be equal to an annual sum of 1,607 14,607 A Chargé des affaires. His salary 4,500 his Secretary 1,350 postage, couriers &c. 400 Outfit, as above
652To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 14 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received the letter of the 21st of January with which you have honored me, and no longer hesitate to undertake the office to which you are pleased to call me. your desire that I should come on as quickly as possible is a sufficient reason for me to postpone every matter of business, however pressing, which admits postponement. still it will be the close of the ensuing week before I...
653From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 14 February 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received the letter of the 21st. of January with which you have honored me, and no longer hesitate to undertake the office to which you are pleased to call me. Your desire that I should come on as quickly as possible is a sufficient reason for me to postpone every matter of business, however pressing, which admits postponement. Still it will be the close of the ensuing week before...
654To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 15 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have received at this place the honour of your letters of Oct. 13 and Nov. 30 and am truly flattered by your nomination of me to the very dignified office of Secretary of state: for which permit me here to return you my humble thanks. Could any circumstance seduce me to overlook the disproportion between it’s duties & my talents it would be the encouragement of your choice. but when I...
655From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 15 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received at this place the honour of your letters of Oct. 13 and Nov. 30. and am truly flattered by your nomination of me to the very dignified office of Secretary of state: for which permit me here to return you my humble thanks. Could any circumstance seduce me to overlook the disproportion between it’s duties and my talents it would be the encouragement of your choice. But when I...
656To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I am now to acknolege the honor of your two letters of Nov. 27 and Feb. 13 both of which have come to hand since my last to you of Dec. 4 and 5. the details you are so good as to give me on the subject of the navigation of the waters of the Patowmac and Ohio are very pleasing to me, as I consider the union of those two rivers as among the strongest links of connection between the eastern &...
657From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 10 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now to acknolege the honor of your two letters of Nov. 27. and Feb. 13. both of which have come to hand since my last to you of Dec. 4. and 5. The details you are so good as to give me on the subject of the navigation of the waters of the Patowmac and Ohio are very pleasing to me, as I consider the union of those two rivers as among the strongest links of connection between the eastern...
658To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 5 December 1788 (Washington Papers)
I this moment discover that I have dated my letter of yesterday Nov. 4. instead of Dec. 4. tho’ the letter be gone out of my hands I hope the present will reach the bearer of it in time to accompany that, and to prevent the embarrasment of dates which it might otherwise occasion. I have only to repeat assurances of the sentiments of esteem & respect with which I have the honor to be Your...
659From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 5 December 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I this moment discover that I have dated my letter of yesterday Nov. 4. instead of Dec. 4. Tho’ the letter be gone out of my hands I hope the present will reach the bearer of it in time to accompany that, and to prevent the embarrasment of dates which it might otherwise occasion. I have only to repeat assurances of the sentiments of esteem & respect with which I have the honor to be Your...
660To 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...
661From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 4 December 1788 (Jefferson 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...
662To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 2 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with your Excellency’s letter by the last packet & thank you for the information it contained on the communication between the Cayahoga & Big beaver. I have ever considered the opening a canal between those two watercourses as the most important work in that line which the state of Virginia could undertake. it will infallibly turn thro the Patowmack all the commerce of Lake Erie...
663From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 2 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your Excellency’s letter by the last packet and thank you for the information it contained on the communication between the Cayahoga and Big beaver. I have ever considered the opening a canal between those two watercourses as the most important work in that line which the state of Virginia could undertake. It will infallibly turn thro the Patowmack all the commerce of Lake...
664To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 14–15 August 1787 (Washington Papers)
I was happy to find by the letter of Aug. 1 1786 which you did me the honour to write me, that the modern dress for your statue would meet your approbation. I found it strongly the sentiment of West, Copeley, Trumbul & Brown in London, after which it would be ridiculous to add that it was my own. I think a modern in an antique dress as just an object of ridicule as an Hercules or Marius with a...
665From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 14 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I was happy to find by the letter of Aug. 1. 1786. which you did me the honour to write me, that the modern dress for your statue would meet your approbation. I found it strongly the sentiment of West, Copeley, Trumbul and Brown in London, after which it would be ridiculous to add that it was my own. I think a modern in an antique dress as just an object of ridicule as an Hercules or Marius...
666To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 14 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
The house of Le Coulteux, which for centuries has been the wealthiest of this place, has it in contemplation to establish a great company for the fur trade. they propose that partners interested one half in the establishment should be American citizens, born & residing in the U.S. yet if I understood them rightly they expect that that half of the company which resides here should make the...
667From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 14 November 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The house of Le Coulteux, which for some centuries has been the wealthiest of this place, has it in contemplation to establish a great company for the fur trade. They propose that partners interested one half in the establishment should be American citizens, born and residing in the U.S. Yet if I understood them rightly they expect that that half of the company which resides here should make...
668To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 7 January 1786 (Washington Papers)
A conversation with the Count de Rochambeau yesterday obliges me to write a supplementary letter to that of the 4th instant. he informs me that he has had applications for paiment from the person who furnished the badges for the Cincinnati, as well the Americans as French. that this person informed him they were not paid for, that he had furnished them indeed on the application of major...
669From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 7 January 178[6] (Jefferson Papers)
A conversation with the Count de Rochambeau yesterday obliges me to write a supplementary letter to that of the 4th. instant. He informs me that he has had applications for paiment from the person who furnished the badges for the Cincinnati, as well the Americans as French, that this person informed him they were not paid for, that he had furnished them indeed on the application of Major...
670To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 4 January 1786 (Washington 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 the...
671From 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...
672To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 17 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to add, what I forgot in my former letter, a request to you to be so kind as to communicate to me what you can recollect of Bushnel’s experiments in submarine navigation during the late war, and whether you think his method capable of being used successfully for the destruction of vessels of war. It’s not having been actually used for this purpose by us, who were so peculiarly in...
673From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 17 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to add, what I forgot in my former letter, a request to you to be so kind as to communicate to me what you can recollect of Bushnel’s experiments in submarine navigation during the late war, and whether you think his method capable of being used succesfully for the destruction of vessels of war. It’s not having been actually used for this purpose by us, who were so peculiarly in want...
674To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Mr Houdon would much sooner have had the honour of attending you but for a spell of sickness which long gave us to despair of his recovery & from which he is but recently recovered. he comes now for the purpose of lending the aid of his art to transmit you to posterity. he is without rivalship in it, being employed from all parts of Europe in whatever is capital. he has had a difficulty to...
675From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 10 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Houdon would much sooner have had the honour of attending you but for a spell of sickness which long gave us to despair of his recovery and from which he is but recently recovered. He comes now for the purpose of lending the aid of his art to transmit you to posterity. He is without rivalship in it, being employed from all parts of Europe in whatever is capital. He has had a difficulty to...
676To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
Every thing on this side the water seems to indicate a certainty of war. the Emperor seems decided in not receding from the right to navigate the Scheld; & the Dutch as determined not to yeild it. I suppose that this court & that of Berlin will take part with the Dutch, the Turks of course become parties in a war against the Emperor: & it seems as probable that the Empress of Russia will join...
677From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 10 December 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Every thing on this side the water seems to indicate a certainty of war. The Emperor seems decided in not receding from the right to navigate the Scheld; and the Dutch as determined not to yeild it. I suppose that this court and that of Berlin will take part with the Dutch. The Turks of course become parties in a war against the Emperor; and it seems as probable that the Empress of Russia will...
678To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 16 April 1784 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 8th inst. by Colo. Harrison. the subject of it is interesting, and, so far as you have stood connected with it, has been matter of anxiety to me: because whatever may be the ultimate fate of the institution of the Cincinnati, as in it’s course it draws to it some degree of disapprobation I have wished to see you stand on ground separated from it; & that the...
679From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 16 April 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of the 8th. inst. by Colo. Harrison. The subject of it is interesting, and, so far as you have stood connected with it, has been matter of anxiety to me: because whatever may be the ultimate fate of the institution of the Cincinnati, as in it’s course it draws to it some degree of disapprobation, I have wished to see you stand on ground separated from it; and that the...
680To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 6 April 1784 (Washington Papers)
I am obliged to you for your query as to the distance from New York to Cayahoga, as it has occasioned my reexamination of that matter & detection of an error of 150 miles. the distances from New York to Niagara I collect from information as follows. from N. York to Albany 164 miles Oneida 165 Oswego 171 Niagara 180 680 from Niagara to Cayahoga 140 820 This last distance [from Niagara to...