2951From Thomas Jefferson to John Ramsay, 9 January 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your favor of Nov. 22. and Doctr. Ramsay’s of Mar. 7. by Mr. Fraser. Knowing nothing of Dr. Ramsay’s intentions relative to the money due him here, I had, as soon as it became due which was in May, written to him to make some propositions from his bookseller here which he was free to accept or refuse, and in the latter case I gave him authority to draw on Mr. Madison at New...
2952[From Thomas Jefferson to James Gordon, 10 August 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 10 Aug. 1785. Entry in SJL reads: “Jas. Gordon. Referring him to Limousin. By post.” Not found.]
2953From Thomas Jefferson to John Stuart, 10 November 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the receipt of your last favor together with the bones of the Great-claw which accompanied it. My anxiety to obtain a thigh bone is such that I defer communicating what we have to the Philosophical society in the hope of adding that bone to the collection. We should then be able to fix the stature of the animal without going into conjecture and calculation as we should...
2954From Thomas Jefferson to John Lamb, 17 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the reciept of your favor of Feb. 17. two paper packages from New York have been left here, containing newspaper and pamphlets. I was not at home and therefore do not know whether they were those committed to Capt. Bayley, and which were the subject of your letter. Should any others come, containing dutiable articles you may be assured of information of it from Sir Your very humble...
2955To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 16 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President and submits to his approbation a letter to mister Ternant, in conformity to that to mister Hammond. it has been submitted to the Secretaries of the treasury & War and Attorney General, and corrected by them. if the President approves the letter he asks the favor of him to stick a wafer in it, & the bearer will proceed to deliver that &...
2956From Thomas Jefferson to Phineas Bond, 29 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment received your favor of yesterday informing me that you have appointed Edward Thornton to be your vice Consul at Baltimore and desiring that measures may be taken to have him received. The only measure to be taken is to furnish Mr. Thornton with the President’s Exaquatur, which is in the nature of an Inspeximus, reciting that Mr. Thornton’s ‘commission has been produced to...
2957From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Vaughan, 27 June 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of March 27. came duly to hand on the 12th.inst. as did your very valuable present of the dry rice brought from the Moluccas by Lieut. Bligh. I immediately sent a few seeds to Virginia where I am in hopes there would still be force of summer sufficient to mature it. I reserve a little for next spring besides sowing some in pots, from which I have now 23. young plants just come up. I...
2958[From Thomas Jefferson to Eliza House Trist, 22 December 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 22 Dec. 1783 . Entry in SJL reads: “Mrs. Trist—dissuading immediate departure. Pittsbg till Mar. or Apr.—Smith—Browse’s alienage.” Not found. Mrs. Trist had left Philadelphia on 21 Dec.; see her acknowledgment of the present letter from Pittsburgh, 8 Apr. 1784. On Browse’s alienage, see TJ’s notes on British and American alienage, printed at the end of 1783.]
2959From Thomas Jefferson to Cambray, 7 October 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 29th. September is duly received. Monsieur Aleaume had sent me, in the month of August, the letters of procuration to be legalised and sent to America. The expression in his letter was ‘que M. le comte de Cambrai espere que vous voulez bien legaliser et faire passer en Amerique. ’ An opportunity occurring just at that time of sending them to Charlestown, I availed myself of...
2960Thomas Jefferson to Alrichs & Dixon, 22 September 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter of Aug. 30. informed you of my departure on a journey before I could consult the person who has charge of my small spinning establishment as to the kind of roll which a hand carding machine should make to suit us. I am but just returned from that journey, and on consulting him he sais the perpetual roll would not suit us, that it should be the short roll, such as is given off by...
2961From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 13 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof Mr. James Jones proposing to visit Paris in a tour of travel, I take the liberty of recommending him to your acquaintance and friendly offices. The general worth of his character will sufficiently recommend him to you, and you will probably derive particular satisfaction from conversing with him on the subject of New Orleans, where having resided 20. years, he will be able to...
2962Thomas Jefferson to Lancelot Minor, 26 May 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Apr. 23. came here just as I had set out for Bedford , so that I recieved it only on my return from that place, which must apologise for the delay of the answer. that of Jan. 20. had been recieved in due time, and your order in favor of Capt Tomkins for the survey was paid. in mine of Oct. 29. I had promised, as soon as my wheat should be groun d and disposed of, that I would...
2963From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 4 January 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
In compliance with the request of Col o Bowyer, conveyed through you, to furnish a list of the books proper to prepare his son for the bar, I inclose you copies of two letters, written formerly, and on occasions which called on me for full and mature consideration of the subject. these will not only specify the books to be read, but also the reasons for their preference, and the course of...
2964From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 8 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have now before me your several favors of May 27. June 10. 24. and July 15. I know of no appointment of agents in the ports of Rochfort, Rochelle or Bayonne, made by Mr. Barclay, nor, till the receipt of your letter did I know that you had been so kind as to extend your cares to those ports. In consequence of this, I had inclosed a copy of the order of Council of Berny to a Mr. Louis...
2965From Thomas Jefferson to Maria Cosway, 31 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the reciept of your favor of July 20. 1801. from London, and of Feb. 25. 1802. from Paris. that I am so late in answering them arises from my incessant occupations which deprive me of the happiness of satisfying the affections of my heart by expressions of them on paper to my friends: to none would they be more warmly expressed, my esteemed friend, than to yourself, with...
2966From Thomas Jefferson to John Strode, 14 June 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the receipt of your favor of May 7. together with the survey of the road from Georgetown to Stevensburgh. As I believe there will be no difficulty in getting the road established from it’s entry into Culpeper till it gets into the established and direct road in Prince Edward, I propose to confer at Georgetown with some members of the Bridge company and get them to undertake...
2967From Thomas Jefferson to Caesar A. Rodney, 13 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 7th. is now before me. mr Mendenhall wrote to me in Feb. last, asking the communication of a paper against him which he understood had been delivered to me. I wrote him in answer Feb. 25. that I did not remember ever to have recieved such a paper: that tho’ I might ascertain the fact by a recurrence to my files, yet it was unnecessary for another reason, which was, that as it...
2968From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 18. instant the enemy came from Portsmouth up James river in considerable force, tho’ their numbers precisely are not yet known to us. They landed at Burwells ferry below Williamsburg and near the mouth of Chickahominy above it. This latter circumstance obliged Colo. Innes who commanded a body of Militia Stationed on that Side the river to cover the country from depredation, to retire...
2969Notes of Cabinet Meeting on Edmond Charles Genet, 1 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Aug. 1. Met at the President’s to consider what was to be done with Mr. Genet. All his correspondence with me was read over. The following propositions were made. 1. that a full statement of Mr. Genet’s conduct be made in a letter to G. Morris, and be sent with his correspondence, to be communicated to the Exec. council of France, the letter to be so prepared as to serve for the form of...
2970From Thomas Jefferson to James Oldham, 2 May 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Gantt now lives at Bladensburg, being appointed a judge of Maryland. I wrote to enquire of him some days ago as to the situation of your affair with Jackson’s estate. I presume he may be absent on some circuit, & that I shall have an answer when he returns. the ornaments for your Corinthian frize are now in hand. they are made in the same moulds with those in my Hall, far handsomer than...
2971Thomas Jefferson’s Order on Bernard Peyton for “George G. Leiper,” 11 April 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
Pay to George G. Lieper or order seventy five Dollars for value recieved on account of Sir Mr Raphael is requested to furnish mr Lieper cash for this. MS ( MHi ); written on a half sheet; signature torn to cancel order; adjacent to signature: “Col o Bernard Peyton Richmond .” Enclosed in “George G. Leiper” to TJ, 11 Apr. 1822 .
2972From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 20 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I now inclose you, and shall continue to do so, Fenno’s and Freneau’s papers. The latter in two papers a week will contain at least as much good matter as Bache’s six papers a week, and will be a relief to the post. Those I send you will enable our neighbors to judge whether Freneau is likely to answer their expectation. I have not given in Colo. Bell’s list of subscribers , because I do not...
2973Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 11 April 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
Our brewing for the use of the present year has been some time over. about the last of Oct. or beginning of Nov. we begin for the ensuing year, and brew malt and brew 3. 60 gall n casks successively , which will give so many successive lessons to the person you send. on his return he can try his hand with you in order to discover what parts of the processes he will have learnt imperfectly, and...
2974Thomas Jefferson to John Melish, 13 January 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved duly your favor of Dec. 15. and with it the copies of your map and travels, for which be pleased to accept my thanks. the book I have read with extreme satisfaction and information. as to the Western states particularly, it has greatly edified me; for of the actual condition of that interesting portion of our country I had not an adequate idea. I feel myself now as familiar with it...
2975From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 26 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Robert Morris this moment informs me that a person of the name of William Duncan, formerly of this state, sailed from hence about the year 1785, and has never been since heard of till lately that his mother has been informed by some one, who says he has been at Algiers, that this Wm. Duncan is there in captivity. I am therefore to ask the favour of you to take the first opportunity of...
2976Thomas Jefferson to John Hopkins, 11 August 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I subscribe with pleasure to the work of mr Allen’s which you propose to print: but as to assisting with materials, it is really not in my power. my life has been too busy a one to collect materials, or even to retain notes of what has been passing. those who act are generally too much occupied to write what is doing: lookers on, alone, have leisure for that. were I to resort to my memory, it...
2977From Thomas Jefferson to John H. Craven, 15 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
A large debt contracted at mr Higginbotham’s while I believed that every thing was going on even, has obliged me to turn over to him my rents in Albemarle. I have thought it might be convenient for you to be apprised of this in time, as you may perhaps have an opportunity of arranging things more to your own convenience with him. I have not yet heard of your draught of 200. D. on me. the money...
2978From Thomas Jefferson to Lewis Littlepage, 10 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of July 12 did not come [to hand until the 3]d of Sep., a very few days after which I incurred the accident of a dislocated wrist which for some time interrupted my attention to affairs. I now receive that of Sep. 12 and am still able to write with the left hand only. In my first letter to the Governor of Virginia after your arrival in Paris I informed him of the circumstances which...
2979From Thomas Jefferson to Creek Nation, 2 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I am glad to recieve your visit at the seat of our government, and to take you by the hand of friendship as our neighbours & children. I thank the great spirit who has brought you safely through so long a journey, and who I hope will continue his protection and restore you safely to your friends. it is now 15. years since the great Chiefs of your nation met us at New York in the time of our...
2980From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 14 May 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
Tho Mr. Bertrand mentions having seen me at Paris, (of which I remember nothing) yet it is evident his letter was meant for me as Secretary of state, and not in my private capacity. The proposition to the government for an assignment of lands can only be answered by the government, if to be answered at all. I therefore inclose you his letter and papers. I also send back 6. packages destined...
2981Thomas Jefferson to Ann C. Bankhead, 26 May 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just recieved a copy of the Modern Griselda which Ellen tells me will not be unacceptable to you. I therefore inclose it. the heroine presents herself certainly as a perfect model of ingenious perverseness, & of the art of making herself and others unhappy. if it can be made of use in inculcating the virtues and felicities of life, it must be by the rule of contraries. nothing new has...
2982Thomas Jefferson to Stephen Cathalan, 3 July 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
It is so long since I have heard from you that this letter seems almost as if written to the dead: and you have the like grounds for recieving it as from the same region. in truth the eternal wars which our age has witnessed prove it to be literally the iron age , and have suspended all the intercourses of friendship and commerce. scarcely was the temple of Janus closed in our hemisphere by...
2983From Thomas Jefferson to William Barton, 1 April 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I did not sooner answer your favor of the 19th . because I have had reason till now to doubt whether Mr. Remsen was decided to resign his office of Chief clerk with me. In the mean time too I found there would be real difficulties from the other clerks the senior of whom thought himself entitled to succeed, and the juniors to approach so much nearer to the succession, and that if cut off from...
2984No. 17: Abstract of the Tonnage of foreign Vessels entered in the Ports of the United States from October 1st. 1789 to … (Jefferson Papers)
Abstract of the Tonnage of foreign Vessels entered in the Ports of the United States from October 1st. 1789 to September 30th. 1790. France 13,435 Holland 8,815 Sweden 311 Prussia 394 Spain 8,551 Portugal 2,924 Denmark 1,619 Germany 1,368 British Dominions 225,495 262,912
2985Thomas Jefferson to John Taylor, 14 February 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved three days ago your favor of the 3 d with it’s benevolent proposition respecting our deceased & unfortunate friend W. C. Nicholas . he left no son under a course of education. of his three sons, the eldest, Col o Robert , is engaged in an enterprise in Louisiana with his brother in law John Smith . the second is hesitating between that and the study of the law. they are both of them...
2986To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 15 April 1825 (Madison Papers)
I have received a proposition from Mr. Perry the owner of the lands which separate the two tracts of the University which I think of so much importance to that institution as to communicate to the visiters by letter in their separate situations. The University tract of 100 acres is ¾ of a mile distant from that of the Observatory of 153 acres. The water which supplies the cisterns of the...
2987From Thomas Jefferson to George Hay, 17 August 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 11 th it referred to something said to be inclosed, without saying what, & in fact nothing was inclosed. but the preceding mail had brought me the Nat l Intellig r of the 7 th & 9 th in which was a very able discussion on the mode of electing our President, signed Phocion. this, I suspect, is what your letter refers to. if I am right in this conjecture; I...
2988To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 1 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
I think with you we had better send to Algiers some of the losing articles in order to secure peace there while it is uncertain elsewhere. While war with England is probable every thing leading to it with any other nation should be avoided, except with Spain. As to her, I think it the precise moment when we should declare to the French government that we will instantly seise on the Floridas as...
2989From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 7 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you three hundred & fifty dollars to cover two drafts I make on you in favr. of Saml. & S. Myers for 150. D. & of Moran for 200. D. which be pleased to honour when presented. affectionate attachment & salutations. P.S. Take the reciept, if you please, as paid for S. Dyer. PrC ( MHi ); at foot of text: “Mr. George Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso. Recorded in SJL with the...
2990From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 11 February 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
According to my letter of yesterday I now inclose you the treasurer’s order on mr Gibbons for 600. D. which I hope will get to hand in time to prevent disappointment. will you be so good as to send to Monticello a hogshead of best molasses, but in a double case in sound & good condition or it will be no better than a hogshead of water when it arrives there. if there is any syrop of punch to be...
2991From Thomas Jefferson to Timothy Pickering, 1 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Having from time to time through the winter and down to the present day received repeated information that the post rider between Richmond and Charlottesville, and consequently along the rest of that line, has been and continues extremely unpunctual, sometimes not going even as far as Charlottesville (only 75 miles of the route) for three weeks, and often missing a fortnight, I have thought it...
2992From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 17 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have sent from this place, together with my own baggage, two hampers and two boxes, which when arrived at Havre I have taken the liberty to order to be separated from my baggage and sent by the first vessel to New York to your address. The marks and contents are as follows: TI. No. 30. } These are hampers containing samples of the best wines of this country, which I beg leave to present TI....
2993To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 11 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
I suppose we must dispatch another packet, by the 1st. of Apr. at farthest. I take it to be an universal opinion that war will become preferable to a continuance of the embargo after a certain time. Should we not then avail ourselves of the intervening period to procure a retraction of the obnoxious decrees peaceably if possible? An opening is given us by both parties sufficient to form a...
2994Thomas Jefferson: Will and Codicil, 16-17 Mar. 1826, 16 March 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I Thomas Jefferson of Monticello in Albemarle, being of sound mind and in my ordinary state of health, make my last will and testament in manner and form as follows. I give to my grandson Francis Eppes, son of my dear deceased daughter Mary Eppes, in fee simple all that part of my lands at Poplar Forest lying West of the following lines, to wit, Beginning at Radford’s upper corner near the...
2995From Thomas Jefferson to ——, 26 July 1764 (Jefferson Papers)
I like your proposal of keeping up an epistolary correspondence on subjects of some importance. I do not at present recollect any difficult question in natural philosophy, but shall be glad to have your opinion on a subject much more interesting. What that is I will tell you. In perusing a magazine some time ago I met with an account of a person who had been drowned. He had continued under...
2996Thomas Jefferson to John Tyler, 25 November 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 12 th gave me the first information that the lectures of my late master and friend exist in MS. knowing how little sensible he was of the eminence of his own mind, I had apprehended if he had ever committed to writing more than their skeleton, that possibly he might have destroyed them, as I expect he has done a very great number of instructive arguments delivered at the bar,...
2997From Thomas Jefferson to Arthur S. Brockenbrough, 21 November 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
The error of account with Giacomo Raggi may easily be corrected if he should return to this country. but this being doubtful, it may be proper for you to give me a copy of his account as settled and signed by him which I can transmit to Appleton who knows of the payment of the 200.D. and will see that it was not credited in the account. Can you now furnish me with your last half year’s account...
2998From Thomas Jefferson to Volney, 9 December 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
Two or three days before the reciept of your favor from Philadelphia I had learnt your arrival there from Mr. Rutledge who had done me the favor to call on me. Accept my sincere felicitations on your safe arrival among us. It had been very long that the public papers had ceased to inform us what had become of you. There are many others of my friends about whose fate I am in the dark. It would...
2999From Thomas Jefferson to Patrick Byrne, 7 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his thanks to mr Byrne for his attention to the little order for the books, has the pleasure to inform him they arrived safely, and to inclose him a draught on the bank of the US. for 20¾ D. their amount. PoC ( MHi ); at foot of text: “Mr. Patrick Byrne”; endorsed by TJ. Notation in SJL : “20.75.” little order : see TJ to Byrne, 14 Feb. , and Byrne to TJ, 22 Feb.
3000From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Bacon, 21 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Davy arrived here last night and he will set out tomorrow, if the weather permits. he takes in his cart a number of articles of which I shall inclose a list with directions as to their contents. I shall here direct only as to some particulars. in the box No. 4. you will find some willow-oak acorns, peach stones, & a little more of the Quarentine corn which I had here. this last you will add to...