3101From Thomas Jefferson to William Duane, 17 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed case of Thos. Norris I first observed in the Aurora, and consider it a duty to have it enquired into,& on obtaining credible testimony, to make it the subject of representations to the British government. as I imagine he must have applied to you with his papers, could you find means to invite him to send me his own affidavit in due form, with as many others as he can procure to...
3102From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Barry, 18 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here a week ago and shall continue till the middle of May. I shall then return to Washington for two months only, and return here to stay till the last of September. as the most important work you have to do here is to finish the floor of the hall & to paint the floor of the Dome room exactly in the same way, which would not have time to harden during my next short absence, I think...
3103To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, [18 June] 1792 (Madison Papers)
Nothing new. P. S. Opening Freneau’s p⟨aper⟩ this moment I see a peice against the […] impost duties & it mentions the insufficiency of the revenue cutters for their object. This suggests a Quere. How comes an armed force to be in existence, & under the revenue department, & not the department of war? Would it not be well to call for a separate statement of the expence of these cutters, and...
3104From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, 11 September 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favors referring to me the size and execution of the seal for your court, and as I can best decide on this after a consultation with the artist and due enquiry from him, I refer it till my return to Philadelphia which will now be within about ten days.—As I propose to return home to reside at the close of the next session of Congress I hope I shall then have...
3105From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph T. Scott, 11 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor dated June 13. came to me at this place only one week ago. it is probable that mr Cummings has deposited for me at Washington the copy of your geographical dictionary which you have been so kind as to send me, for which I pray you to accept my thanks. I anticipate with pleasure the satisfaction I shall recieve from it, and am happy that we are to see at length contradicted the...
3106From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 22 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
You are not unapprised that in order to check the evasions of the embargo laws effected under colour of the coasting trade, we found it necessary to prevent the transportation of flour coastwise, except to the states not making enough for their own consumption, and that to place the supplies of those states under some check, a discretionary power was given to the governors to give licenses to...
3107From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Gamble, 14 November 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Colo. Gamble and takes the liberty of putting under cover to him a letter to Mr. Mewbern of Richmond, with a request to have it handed him if be arrived from London, or if not, to let it lie by, till his arrival. Th:J. thinks he must be arrived as he sailed from London Aug. 30. He has the pleasure to inform Colo. Gamble that after the great rains which...
3108To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 10 Nov. 1791. After examining the enclosed papers relating to the land purchase of John Cleves Symmes on the Great Miami River, he thinks it proper to lay them before Congress, to demonstrate not only the foundation of Symmes’s larger claim but also the “expediency of providing some speedy and regular mode of deciding this and other questions of a like nature which might arise...
3109From Thomas Jefferson to James Brown, 4 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
According to the permission in your letter which I recieved at Monticello, I drew on you about a fortnight ago in favor of Messrs. Clow & co. for two hundred dollars, and have drawn on you to day in favor of the Revd. Matthew Maury for 1662/3 Doll. and in favor of John Garland Jefferson for seventy five Dollars. These last orders will probably be presented to you towards the latter part of...
3110From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 26 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The question arising on Mr Simons’ letter of Jan. 10. is Whether sea-letters shall be given to the vessels of citizens neither born nor residing in the US? Sea-letters are the creatures of treaties. no act of the ordinary legislature requires them. the only treaties now existing with us, & calling for them are those with Holland, Spain, Prussia & France. in the two former we have stipulated...
3111Thomas Jefferson’s Estimate of Grain Needs, [ca. 1 October 1819] (Jefferson Papers)
Estimate of grain from Oct. 1. 19 —to July 7. 20 40 weeks Resources
3112From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 11 November 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be delivered you by Colo. Le Maire. You knew him when in our service, and that he was one of the few who merited what was done for him. He returns to Virginia to obtain the land given him for his special services and what is due to him as an officer. He is reduced to extreme poverty and I am afraid will meet with difficulty to subsist till he can obtain his grants unless he can find...
3113From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 12 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
My journey to this place was not as free from accident as usual. I was near losing Castor in the Rapidan, by his lying down in the river, where waste deep, & being so embarrassed by the shafts of the carriage & harness that he was nearly drowned before the servants, jumping into the water, could lift his head out & cut him loose from the carriage. this was followed by the loss of my travelling...
3114To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 28 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you two letters from Judge Symmes of Jan. 25th & 27th. his letter of Sep. 17. mentioned in the first of these was received by me Nov. 23. and after being laid before you, was answered Dec. 4. the part of the answer respecting leave from you to come to Philadelphia was in these words. “the President does not conceive that the Constitution has given him any controul...
3115From Thomas Jefferson to Arthur S. Brockenbrough, 30 April 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very glad you have engaged mr Southall to assist us in the affairs of the Univ y and following his and mr Carr’s counsel implicitly you cannot go wrong. accding to the opn of these gent. the one in writing the other expressed to me verbally I observe that the following proceedings may be instituted against Mosby & Draffen, if they have license 1 . prosecute them for the forfeiture of 30.d...
3116From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander McCaul, 19 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 2d. inst. is duly received. I agree chearfully to the alteration you propose, in our terms, for converting the current into sterling money. It will guard against injustice, should the madness of paper money invade our assembly. I send you the inclosed paper finally settling this business. I am not well acquainted with the situation of your matter in Virginia. I had hoped that...
3117From Thomas Jefferson to Pierre Samuel Du Pont de Nemours, 1 August 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 26th. of the last month, and on the [31st received] your favor of the 17th. my office relating altogether to the legislative [depart]ment, I am entirely unacquainted with the measures proposed in that of the Executive. I may know that the fortification of certain ports [to some] extent has been authorised by the legislature. but whether the Executive will propose a greater...
3118Thomas Jefferson to Joseph C. Cabell, 16 October 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Either inaccurate expression in myself, or the misapp r ehension of a friend to whom I had communicated my former letters on our finances , having obliged me to write another in explanation, I inclose you a copy of it because you had taken the trouble to read the others. I should wish this to be seen by those to whom you had communicated the former, lest they also should have misapprehended...
3119From Thomas Jefferson to David Ramsay, 8 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor accompanying that of Mr. Van bram Houckgeete on the subject of a cask of snuff sent by him to Bordeaux. The importation of that article is prohibited by the laws of France on pain of fine and forfeiture of the article to the Farmers general. His snuff was seized and condemned on due process of law. He sais he was ignorant of the law, and I believe it: his...
3120Thomas Jefferson to John Melish, 14 February 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Jan. 18. came duly to hand. I w very willingly become a subscriber to your intended publication, judging from the table of contents, and your familiarity with the subjects treated of, that the work cannot fail to be useful to ourselves by pointing out advantageous pursuits not yet attended to, and to Great Britain by shewing what their ignorance and injustice have lost to them...
3121From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Bacon, 23 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your letter of the 19th. by which I learn you have done 250. f. of the garden. were we to go on, reducing the whole to the same level we have begun with, the labor would be immense. I therefore conclude to do it in 4. levels of 250. f each, and taking such a level for each as that the earth to be dug away shall just fill up the part which is too low. in this way each...
3122To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 25 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
The difference between a communication & sollicitation is too obvious to need suggestion. While the latter adds to embarrasments, the former only enlarges the field of choice. The inclosed letters are merely communications. Of Stewart I know nothing. Price who recommends him is I believe a good man, not otherwise known to me than as a partner of B. Morgan of N. O. and as having several times...
3123From Thomas Jefferson to the Board of War, 19 January 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
On a conjectural view of the money likely to come in to the Treasury between this and the 15th. of June, and on estimates of the several demands on the public for money with in the same period we find it will be necessary to restrain the amount of Warrants to be issued hereafter to about two thirds of what would have been a full supply. We Allot therefore as follows. To the Commissaries...
3124From Thomas Jefferson to Fernán-Nuñez, 23 December 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
M. Jefferson est tres sensible à la perte que l’Espagne vient de faire par la mort de son auguste Souverain. Les vertus de ce prince lui avoient merité à juste titre l’hommage de l’estime universelle, et repandront sur sa mort les regrets de tous. M. Jefferson y mele les siens trés sincerement, et a l’honneur de faire à M. l’Ambassadeur son compliment de condoleance. Dft ( ViU ); written at...
3125From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 2 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
According to the Resolution of the House of Representatives of the 31st of December, delivered to me yesterday, I have the honor to lay before you a list of the several persons employed in my Office, with the Salaries allowed to each, as follows Dollars George Taylor Jr. (of New York) Chief Clerk , his salary fixed by law 800 Jacob Blackwell (of New York) Clerk 500 George Pfeiffer (of...
3126From Thomas Jefferson to B. D. Arrmistead, 20 March 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
My occupations & avocations here not permitting me to read any thing with that close attention requisite for a work of the nature of that which you have been pleased to inclose to me, I have been able to give it but a hasty perusal, not sufficient indeed to make myself master of your views in all it’s parts, much less to pronounce on their merit. I see many which are ingenious, and which I am...
3127Thomas Jefferson to Patrick Gibson, 19 August [1821] (Jefferson Papers)
Your f avor of the 15 th came to hand last evening, an d I avail myself with pleasure of the opportunity of being useful to you afforded by the request it contains on behalf of your son . with the Secretary of the Navy I have not a personal acquaintance, and therefore can expect no other effect from my intercession, than an increased confidence, on his part, in the grounds on which your son...
3128Thomas Jefferson to William Thornton, 23 July 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you Janes’s description of his loom with many thanks for the communication of it. the improvement for the moving the treadles without using the feet is highly valuable, inasmuch as our weavers are for the most part women. it appears too to be sufficiently simple for country use. the winding up the cloth is also useful, & not complicated. I do not well understand the mechanism for...
3129Thomas Jefferson to Mary Lewis, 1 March 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks mrs Lewis ’s acceptance of half a dozen bottles of wine, which is 5. or 6. years old and will he thinks be of service to the tone of her st om ach. the bearer will bring the beans she was so kind as to offer, and any greens she has to spare without disfurnishing herself. he salutes her with antient and affectionate friendship, & wishes for her better health. RC ( DLC :...
3130Thomas Jefferson to William Thornton, 9 February 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to thank you for the drawing of the beautiful hydraulic machine with which you favored me in yours of Jan. 11. in simplicity and effect it promises to go far beyond Montgolfier ’s hydraulic ram. I have endeavored to constitute a supply of water at Monticello by cisterns for recieving and preserving the rain water falling on my buildings. these would furnish me 600. gall s of water a...
3131Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 17 August 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
My letters from Monticello informing me of the President ’s return, I lost no time in bringing under his attention the wish of your son Robert to be placed in our new Southern territories; but unfortunately I had forgotten the particular office he had in view, and having left the letter at home could not have recourse to it. but I supplied the lapse of memory by taking the broader ground that...
3132From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 17 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have heretofore communicated to Congress the decrees of the government of France of November 21. 1806. and of Spain of Feb. 19. 1807. with the orders of the British government of January & November 1807. I now transmit a decree of the emperor of France of Dec. 17. 1807. and a Similar decree of the 3d. of January last of his Catholic majesty: with the letter of our Charge des affaires at...
3133From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Peters, 13 June 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed having by some accident been mislaid among my papers it is not till now that I am able to forward it to you according to the request of the writer. My short stay in Philadelphia, and an untoward accident prevented my having the honor of seeing you there. The invitation which the society of St. Patrick was pleased to honour me with, and which would have procured me a meeting with...
3134From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 18 November 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 9th . came to hand yesterday and relieved us from the fear that sickness or some other accident had detained you. I am very particularly obliged to you for the attention you have been so good as to pay to my accomodation; several circumstances had prevented my taking measures for this purpose so early as I wished. I had ultimately relied on Mr. Carrol, who left this place two...
3135From Thomas Jefferson to Nicolas Gouin Dufief, 10 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 6th. and the books forwarded by mr Duane. La Grange’s translations are new to me, and I am so much pleased with that of his Seneca, that I will thank you to forward me also his Lucretius with the Latin text. has the Seneca of La Grange been ever printed with the Latin text? if it has I should be glad if you would order it from France. if not, order me...
3136Thomas Jefferson to Isham Lewis, 1 May 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
It is with real concern that I learn the disagreeable situation in which you are for want of emploiment, & the more so as I do not see any way in which I can propose to you any certain relief. as to offices under the government, they are few, are always full, & twenty applicants for one vacancy when it happens. they are miserable also, giving a bare subsistence without the least chance of...
3137From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 2 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Doctr. Bache’s Address is ‘William Bache at Franklin near Charlottesville’ the letter should be put into the Post office before 5. P.M. to-day William White to be Surveyor for the district of East river. approved. Griffin Greene to be collector of the port of Marietta. approved. James Clarke to be Surveyor of customs at Tombstone, district of Edenton N.C. recommended by mr Stone. Selden Jasper...
3138From Thomas Jefferson to James Walker, 1 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
In an account presented to me by mr Shoemaker are the charges below stated, as to the reasonableness of which I am an entire stranger, and therefore ask the favor of you to inform me what would be the proper charges. I ask this of you the rather because you know exactly the nature of the articles, and because I shall have entire confidence in what you shall think right. Be so good as to lodge...
3139From Thomas Jefferson to William Macarty, 21 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am favored with your letter of the 8th. instant. I had applied to the Marquis de la Fayette to sollicit the Sauf conduit for you. A desire of avoiding every possible occasion myself of asking what may be refused, or of giving ground to make a reciprocal demand on any occasion, induced me to do this; and the Marquis’s zeal in every business respecting us, his weight and his access to every...
3140From Thomas Jefferson to Elisha Watkins, 22 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
When you were here to offer me your service for the next year, we separated on the subject of price. I offered you 120. Dollars, & you asked an hundred & fifty for the year’s service. I have concluded to give you your asking of an hundred & fifty dollars, with the allowance of 600. lb of pork, & corn as usual. the emploiment the first year will be as a carpenter with 2 or 3 men under you, for...
3141From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, with Jefferson’s Note, [23 July 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter of Genet’s of July 9. and the draught of an answer to it, which is approved by the other gentlemen but we wish your sentiments on it, and as soon as possible as it is pressing.—The other of June 22. is only under deliberation, and sent to you for your information and consideration against we meet again. [ Note by TJ: ] July 23. 93. E.R. returned this note and the two...
3142Thomas Jefferson to William McClure, 10 September 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
In order to commence the establishment for family manufacture in our neighborhood, on which we conversed the other day, I will, for myself, engage of you a spinning Jenny, and a loom with a flying shuttle, doing towards them myself whatever my workmen can do; I will furnish six women or girls to work for myself on them under your direction, build a house for them to lodge in, contribute to a...
3143From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 9 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The road through Ravensworth is rendered absolutely impassable for a four wheeled carriage by a single change made lately by one of the mr Fitzhughs in his plantation. you must not therefore attempt it, but go on to Fairfax C.H. & there turn off to Songster’s. Bull run is now passed at an excellent ford, and the hills by a great deal of work have been made quite good. the road between Elkrun...
3144Thomas Jefferson to Alexander McRae, 5 August 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I sincerely wish you success in the object of the visit which yourself & Maj r Clarke propose to make to Europe . to your country it promises advantage, & I hope it will yield it to yourselves also. as you seem sensible of the danger to which it will expose you, under the laws of those countries, I need say nothing on that head but that the secrecy enjoined on me shall be observed. the letters...
3145From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Hanson, 4 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I now inclose you a power of Attorney for the collection of the bonds enumerated in the list which was inclosed in your letter of Octob. 27. with a special letter to the persons named in each bond notifying your power and desiring them to make the paiment to you at Petersburgh. There is one thing to which I must beg your particular attention, that is, to take measures for having clerks and...
3146From Thomas Jefferson to James Lyle, 15 June 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Having been three times called to this place the last year, and now kept here on a session of 6. months, the expences attending this have so far exceeded what were to have been expected in the ordinary course of things, that they put it out of my power to make the first payment promised in my letter of the last year , in time. I had calculated on one trip only to this place, and a short...
3147Thomas Jefferson to Arthur S. Brockenbrough, 20 October 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I think the raising the windows above the floor will be proper for the reason you mention . with respect to the arches & entablature of Hotel A . there would be 3. modes of doing it. 1. to make the arches of the width of those of the dormitories. but this would make the piers too heavy. 2. to raise the cornice entablature as you propose, th e objection to which is the breaking the line of the...
3148Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on Account with David Higginbotham, [ca. 3 February 1814] (Jefferson Papers)
Negroes 1107. 80 * groceries 312. 13 ℔ iron 210. 14 to wit { 2200½ iron 74¼ steel salt 122.
3149From Thomas Jefferson to Mitchell & Buel, 22 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I become with pleasure a subscriber to your paper, the Political barometer . you will oblige me by information of the most convenient place where I can pay the subscription. this would be the most so; but I could have it done in Philadelphia. accept my wishes for it’s success and my respects. PrC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “Messrs. Mitchell & Buel”; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso. TJ received...
3150From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 5 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a charge by mr Hanson against Capt Smith & Lieutenants Davis & Dobbins of the militia, as having become members of an organized company, calling themselves the Tar-company, avowing their object to be the tarring & feathering citizens of some description. altho in ordinary cases the animadversions of the law may be properly relied on to prevent what is unlawful, yet with those...