101From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Chalkley James, 14 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved your favor of the 6th. inst. informing me that the American Philosophical society had been pleased, at their late election, unanimously to re-elect me President of the society. in desiring, in my letter to the Vice-presidents, that I might be permitted to withdraw from that honour, I asked from a conscientious persuasion that I was keeping from that important station members...
102From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Newton, 3 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The judge of the Admiralty of Pensylvania has given notice to our Delegates in Congress that there are three Negroes, Tom, Hester and Celia confined in jail in Philadelphia in consequence of a condemnation of a vessel in which they were taken. They say they are the property of a certain Money Godwin of Norfolk, that their Master went off with the British Fleet under Leslie, and gave them...
103From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 14 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I take up my pen merely because I have not written to you since my arrival here, and simply to inform you I am well. I shall be happy to hear the same from you; and hope this day’s post may bring me that information, or that Fontrees’s waggon will do it which I expect will arrive tomorrow or next day. we are selling off all our vessels except the 13. frigates established by law; bringing 7 of...
104From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Carstairs, 13 January 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
When we began our buildings at our University, we adopted it as a rule that we would be governed in all our prices by those established by long experience & due competn in Phila, and you were so bind as to procure & send me the printed book of Carpenter’s prices, in the other branches of work we have been able in different ways to learn your prices, except those of plaisterer ’s work, of these...
105From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Burke, 30 June 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
The case of Plume v. Portlock now lies at the Rules in danger of a dismission for want of a declaration. Mr. Blair directed me to apply to you for instructions in this matter. Your favor herein will oblige Dr. Sir Your friend and servt., P. S. On looking further into the Rule docket I find myself referred to you also for instructions to draw the bill in McVee v. Wilson . I have Wilson’s bond...
106From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Barclay, 9 April 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the receipt of your favors of Oct. 28. Nov. 20. 23. Dec. 18. 26. 31. and Jan. 30. By Chiappe’s letter inclosed in the last I am in hopes the difficulty respecting your character will be got over by verbally announcing yourself under some character more acceptable than that of Consul, which I suppose to be what Chiappe has in view. I wish the crisis of affairs in Marocco may...
107From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Eston Randolph, 22 May 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
The distress in which I am to meet debts of the most pressing urgency obliges me to remind you of the arrearages due to me on the mill account. according to the account rendered by yourself to the 1 st of last July there was then a balance acknoleged due of 650.09D my acc t made it more. this difference was left to Jefferson to settle with you, and it was agreed between you to arbitrate it as...
108From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Garth, 7 March 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The situation in which I have left Colo. Nichs. Lewis leaves me not without pain and doubt for the event of his disease. I hope the best, but it may turn out otherwise. Besides the general loss which will be sustained by such a death, mine will be particularly great, as I have left all my affairs in his hands. The letters I receive from the President are so pressing to go on to New York that I...
109From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Newton, 14 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
A collector for the port of Hampton is wanting in the room of mr Kirby, removed for gross delinquency. Mount E. Chisman has been proposed. can you inform me of his character & circumstances? or can you recommend any better person? I must ask your answer without any delay, as I believe the case presses. indeed I am not certain if it’s pressure may not oblige the Secretary of the Treasury to...
110From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Seymour, 11 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The mass of business which occurs during a session of the legislature, renders me necessarily unpunctual in acknoleging the reciept of letters and in answering those which will admit of delay. this must be my apology for being so late in noticing the reciept of the letter of Dec. 20. addressed to me by yourself, and several other republican characters of your state, of high respectability. I...
111From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Lee Shippen, 5 January 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Nov. 28. is now before me, and I thank you for your attention to my letters. My last news from Messrs. Short and Rutledge was of the 5th. of Dec. They were then well, at Venice, and within a day or two of their departure for Rome. Mr. and Mrs. Paradise are arrived here. I have no news from America since October. The great news of this country is the late decision of the court...
112Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Eston Randolph, 21 June 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
On casting my eye over your account I observed that I should have to ask the favor of you to have me furnished with the details of the flour delivered, to wit, a statement of the dates, quantities & persons to whom delivered, without which I cannot settle either with the boat men, or mr Gibson . I imagine you take the boatmen’s receipts by which th ey stand charged to their employer. a...
113From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 29 June 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 18th . came to hand yesterday, and I observe mine of the 8th. was received at Monticello on the 18th. On recurring to the dates and reciept of those from Monticello, I find they have come to hand very regularly on the 10th. day.—I find that the President will leave this about the middle of July. Consequently I shall set out earlier than I had expected, as I foresee nothing...
114From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 17 May 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letter to you, if I may believe my letter book, was Apr. 19. Yet I think I must have written to you the 26th. also, as I do not recollect the having missed writing to you or my daughter but one week, which was about the 3d. or 4th. instant. Yours of Apr. 9. 16. and May 7. [i.e. May 4] have been duly recd. Mr. Brown’s note on Clow, inclosed in the last is accepted for payment. I...
115From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Sr., 4 February 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The marriage of your son with my daughter cannot be more pleasing to you than to me. Besides the worth which I discover in him, I am happy that the knot of friendship between us, as old as ourselves, should be drawn closer and closer to the day of our death. I am perfectly contented to leave to yourself the provision for your son. What you propose is liberal. I feel myself tied up by the...
116From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Pinckney, 14 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of Aug. 20 . I inclosed you the 1st. of John Wilcocks’ bill on Messrs. Edwd. Mc.Culloch and Co. of London for £1077–11–9 sterl. (cost here 5000. Dollars) payable to yourself at 60. days sight to be applied to the use of our diplomatic gentlemen abroad. In my letter of the 11th. inst. I inclosed the 2d. and now the 3d. of the same bill. I have also engaged the bank of the US. to...
117From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 22 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 15th. since that we are quieted by an entire confidence in the account from the Natchez that the Spaniards will immediately deliver up the posts. the conduct of our agents there was so waspish as to have induced a suspicion that, if war was to take place against France, we meant to drive Spain into it also, that our Southern states might have something to conquer and...
118From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomas, 16 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Being informed you have a much larger supply of oil than will shortly be necessary for your works and the Continent being distressed at their tannery here for that article, be so good as to lend Majr. Claiborne so much as he may want and you can spare, which he will replace. I am Sir Your very humble servt., RC ( Vi ); addressed by TJ: “Captn. Thomas Warwick”; endorsed. This letter was...
119Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Eston Randolph, 25 January 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I ought perhaps sooner to have informed you that mr Crav. Peyton had assigned to me your note for 201.49 D to which is to be added the rent of the last year . the present is merely to give this information, as I shall set off tomorrow for Bedford & be absent some weeks. having some heavy paiments to make at our March & April courts any aid towards these would be acceptable, without meaning...
120Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 6 October 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by mr John Wayles Baker son of the Treasurer of this state, and a connection of mine whom, in a former letter , I mentioned to you with my grandson Francis Eppes , presuming they would go together to the College of Columbia . you will find him a youth of excellent dispositions and orderly conduct, and well worthy of any patronage and good offices you may be so kind as...
121From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Leiper, 24 April 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I received some days ago from Mr. Hylton, the gentleman who forwarded my tobacco to me, the statement below. By this it appears that there were two hhds. of which I had not notice. I presume they came during my absence, and were the two for which there was no bill of lading, and are to be added to the 39. of which I gave you a statement before. The two which he mentions last are now arrived...
122From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Pinckney, 24 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof Mr. Robert Leslie, a watchmaker of this city, goes to establish himself in London. His great eminence will unquestionably ensure his success, if he can but be known. I have considered him and the deceased Mr. Rumsey (both born in the same neighborhood) as the two greatest mechanics I have ever met with in any country. Not to mention many other useful inventions, we are...
123Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Lehré, 10 April 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of Mar. 9. and 23. are both safely recieved and I shall with pleasure write to the President on the subject of the last. this I do merely because it is your wish, being satisfied the President can need no excitement in your favor beyond his own knolege & approbation of the uniform line of your conduct. We are here in a state of close blockade, tantalized indeed with propositions of...
124From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomas, 10 May 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Please to furnish Capt. Markham for the use of the brig Jefferson with twenty three fathom of seven inch rope, six coil of spunyarn, 150 ℔. seine twine, six coil of 2½ inch rope, three coil of 2.I. do. and one coil of 3½ I. do. six hanks of Marline six do. of Housline two coil of Hamberline. RC ( PWacD : Feinstone Collection, on deposit PPAmP ); at foot of text: “Capt Thomas”; with notations...
125From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Delaire, 25 January 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very sensible of the humanity and generosity which the merchants of Rochelle were so good as to interpose in behalf of the crew of the Clementina, and am very grateful for the aids they afforded. Congress have not been able as yet to make a regular appointment of Agents in the several ports of France because it is not till very lately that a Convention has been arranged for that purpose...
126From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas McLean, 9 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of May 2. was not recieved till a few days ago. however strong my preference of subjects of the nature of that of your letter yet the business of my present station requiring the whole of my time and attention, forbids me to give any portion of either from it’s duties. I have been obliged therefore to forbid myself to enter into philosophical speculations. should you propose to...
127From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Bell, 28 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I am favored with yours of June 12.—Mr. Jefferson my relation had detained the letter to you till he could write back to me and inform me of the difficulty of getting to Charlottesville, and how much more convenient it would be to him to take his goods in Goochld. My business made me late in answering him, and I then repeated my request to him to apply to you, as I observe that from a want of...
128From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 21 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I received the day before yesterday your’s of the 9th. From an expression in that, as well as the preceding one, I fear you may not have received my letters which have been regular and constant once a week, except once when the post day was perceived to be changed. I then accomodated the day of my writing to the day of the departure of the Western post from Richmond.—I have received...
129From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 30 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 5th. came to hand on the 16th. inst. The Southern post which should have arrived on Tuesday, is not arrived yet (Friday) so that letters by that cannot be yet acknoleged. I inclose you some seeds of the Acacia Farnesiana, the most delicious flowering shrub in the world. It will require to be in boxes, and to be kept in the house in the winter. I formerly made use of the South...
130From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 22 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a midshipman’s warrant for young Webb, but I wish there may not be a misnomer in it. Patsy named him to me as Tarlton Webb, but through another channel an application came to the Navy office for a Thomas T. Webb. is it the same person? if not, be so good as to return the inclosed to me because it is intended for Tarlton Webb. if right, you can forward it to him. The papers give...
131Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Ewell, 17 August 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 10 th finds me at an occasional but very distant residence from Monticello , where I have been already a month and shall continue a month longer. the book you are so kind as to mention have having ordered to me, never came to hand. I should not have been unmindful of the duty of acknoleging this mark of attention, as I now do for what was i n tended as well as for the sheets...
132From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sumter, Sr., 9 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I omitted before the rising of Congress to enquire for proper characters to appoint in South Carolina as Commissioners of bankruptcy. mr Calhoun too, best acquainted in Charleston was gone; and if there, he has not the same determination which I have against appointing a single federalist until the two parties have their due proportion of office, and especially in this case where the federal...
133From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 26 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 22d. is at hand. there has been not only no new appointment of Consul at Bordeaux, but no idea that there will be a vacancy there. we know that mr Lee has given mortal offence to several of our merchants by refusing to cover foreign vessels under our flag, which he and all the other Consuls are instructed to be particularly vigilant in. he has been very meritoriously so, and his...
134From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Claxton, 19 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you your list of the furniture of the President’s house, lately made, with mr LeMaire’s supplement of the Kitchen furniture, & an insertion by myself of some articles of plate lately obtained. I communicated also your letter to mr Madison, and bore just testimony to the satisfactory manner in which you had conducted yourself in the purchase of furniture for the house. in truth, I say...
135Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sully, 17 April 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of the 5 th & also the half dozen cups which you have been so kind as to have forwarded to me, for which accept my thanks. Ellen will express to you herself her obligations for what was addressed to her. I am this day writing to Paris for some books and gladly place among them the Recueil of M. Durand , which I presume was published there. for the Pompeiana I...
136From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Willis White, 8 December 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your letter of the 3 d proposing for my acceptance a book, on which you wish me to give an opinion, which you should be at liberty to publish. this I invariably decline. I have neither the talents, the taste, nor the time for the office of a Reviewer of books. such an undertaking, if executed with fidelity to the publick, would require me to read the book with critical...
137From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 16 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of Nov. 11. I have yesterday received a letter from Mr. Mazzei authorizing the immediate sale of Colle, and shall therefore write to Mr. Lewis on the subject. I sincerely wish you may be able to get some of Mr. Carter’s land adjoining. But I should think it worth your while to go further than 300 acres, and that by a negociation with Dobson you...
138To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Turpin, with Reply, 22–23 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have directed Horatio to wait on you with this in order to beg you will inform me by him when you think a jury will be on my land in Richmd., when you think there is a Probality of my being Paid for it, and whether in Tobo. or money. I should not have given you this trouble now but that I have some expectation of making a considerable Purchase and “twil be highly necessary to know what...
139From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Pinckney, 12 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The George Barclay has fallen down the river before I had notice she was about to sail: I have therefore only had time to send out and get the inclosed bill of Mr. John Vaughan on Messrs. Bird, Savage & Bird of London for £13–13 the amount of the model of the threshing machine you were so kind as to send me. It is gone on from New York to Virginia without my having seen it. Accept many thanks...
140From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, 6 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you mr Latrobe’s account for the glass I purchased at the Capitol & President’s house. he has charged it at what it cost the public, 10. cents the square foot. but on the back I have calculated it at 12 ½ cents, for which he says I might have bought it, by the box, from the merchants. the amount at this last price is 150 7/100 D for which I inclose you a check on the bank US. will...
141From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 1 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a pamphlet giving some account of the new operation of making cloths &c. waterproof; as also a piece of paper, one half of which is waterproof. I have recieved cloth for a surtout coat, which I find, on wearing it in rain, to answer perfectly. the prices for making cloathes waterproof are so moderate, that if it does not injure the quality of the stuff, it will become extensively...
142From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cox, 5 September 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of July 16. was rec d in due time and I am thankful for the trouble you propose to undertake to procure for me at the ensuing vintage a barrel of the Scuppernon pure juice without any adultern of brandy or other short . I would wish it to be sent early in November when it will be endangered by neither the heat or cold of the season. I will give that cask a fair trial as well whether...
143From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 15 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of Feb. 26. came to hand on the 8th. inst. but after mine to you of that date was sealed. I at the same time recieved one from G. Jefferson informing me I had no nail rod in his possession. Richardson however, who happened to be present told me that on the 1st. of Feb. he saw in mr Johnston’s warehouse a considerable parcel of nail rod which they told him was mine. I therefore wrote...
144From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mifflin, 6 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your favor of yesterday on the subject of the laws of the U.S. furnished to you from my office. I would with pleasure add a third copy, but that, your Excellency will percieve, on turning to the act of Congress which establishes my department, that that has fixed the number of copies of the laws to be furnished by me to the Executives of the states, and of course that the...
145From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 2 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I forgot this was post day till the moment of the mail’s being made up. I have only time therefore to say Congress rises tomorrow. mr Milledge & mr Clarke will probably set out in the evening, be at Orange courthouse on Wednesday evening & go thence to dine with you on Thursday. I shall be two or three days after them. tender love to my dear Martha & the young people & affectionate attachment...
146From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Elder, 25 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter by Doctor Lyons has been safely delivered me. Mr. Short on his arrival here from Virginia had informed me that the young Mr. Randolphs were either gone or going to Edinburgh and since that I have received the same information from Doctor Currie in a letter. I consider that really as the best position in Europe for the acquisition of real science: and that it will be very...
147Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Ritchie, 19 June 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I find it impossible to get a copy of Madison ’s map without linen or rollers, and as it is indispensable to have one at the meeting of the Commissioners for the University I must pray you to get me one of those which you say can be had with linen & rollers. I should prefer one with the borders of the county counties coloured, but not the body. the agent who has them, will roll one very...
148From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Pinckney, 17 January 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of Nov. 29. 30. 30. and Dec. 1. came duly to hand and gave sincere pleasure by announcing your disposition to accept the appointment to London. The nominations to Paris and the Hague having been detained till yours could be made, they were all immediately sent in to the Senate, to wit, yourself for London, Mr. G. Morris for Paris; Mr. Short for the Hague. Some members of the Senate...
149From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 19 January 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I rec d the bottle of wine you were so kind as to send me about a fortnight ago and have kept it in the hope your father could come and dine & taste it here. he had at length promised for yesterday but his business obliging him to set out to Richm d and having some friends with me we tried it . we found it so heavily charged with brandy that all flavor of the wine was absorbed in that of the...
150From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Appleton, 10 August 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I had been so long without hearing from you ( my last from you being dated Oct. 8. 24.) that I sat down to communicate my anxieties to you which I had accdly done in a long letter when the mail of that day brought me your’s of Apr. 13. and rendered mine of course useless. I learn with regret that you had suffered inconvenience from the want of remittances, your former letters had given me...