121Proposal for the Great Seal of the United States, [before 14 August 1776] (Franklin Papers)
On July 4, 1776, Franklin, John Adams, and Jefferson were named as a committee to suggest a seal. Each man proposed designs, and one of Jefferson’s closely resembled Franklin’s. In addition the painter Pierre Du Simitière, who had been called in as a consultant, produced a version of his own. A letter from John Adams of August 14 described the various proposals; hence Franklin’s had been...
122From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Henry Lee, 8 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
For news I refer you to your brother who writes on that head. I enclose you a copy of the declaration of independence as agreed to by the House, and also, as originally framed. You will judge whether it is the better or worse for the Critics. I shall return to Virginia after the 11th of August. I wish my successor may be certain to Come before that time, in that case, I shall hope to see you...
123From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 15 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 3d inst. came to hand to-day. I wish I could be better satisfied on the point of Patty’s recovery. I had not heard from her at all for two posts before, and no letter from herself now. I wish it were in my power to return by way of the Forest, as you think it will be impracticable for Mrs. Eppes to travel to the mountains. However, it will be late in August before I can get home,...
124From Thomas Jefferson to Patrick Henry, [16 July 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter from the President was directed before he knew of your being invested with the office of Governor: you will therefore please to open it. After congratulating you on your appointment and hoping every thing favourable from our new institutions I subscribe myself Dr. Sir Your very humble servt., RC (The Rosenbach Co., Philadelphia, 1946). Endorsed: “Virginia Delegates July 16....
125From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Henry Lee, 16 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
We received your letter by post and are much obliged for the enclosures. The queries to the officers shall be answered by this post if we can; otherwise certainly by the next. I suppose it will be best to send the answer to Brigadr. Lewis. Leich’s affair shall also be taken care of.—Admiral Howe is arrived at New York, and two or three vessels, supposed to be of his fleet, were in sight. The...
126From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 23 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
We have nothing new here now but from the southward. The successes there I hope will prove valuable here, by giving new spirit to our people. The ill successes in Canada had depressed the minds of many; when we shall hear the last of them I know not; everybody had supposed Crown Point would be a certain stand for them, but they have retreated from that to Ticonderoga, against everything which...
127Memorandum on Testimony concerning Major Hughes, 24 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Foulke . July 24. 1776. Mr. Vernet informed deponent that one of the English officers had applied to Mr. Coignet to serve in the English army instead of the provincial. Vernet wrote his name ‘Yousenne’ and said he was a major and lodged near Mrs. House’s. This it is supposed was ‘Hughes’ a major, who lodged near there. Coignet applied to Vernet for the same purpose, Vernet refused. Mr....
128From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Henry Lee, 29 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you Dr. Price’s pamphlet . I should have done so sooner but understood your brother was sending many to Virginia and not doubting one would be to you, I laid by the one I had purchased for that purpose. Little new here. Our camps recruit slowly, amazing slowly. God knows in what it will end. The finger of providence has as yet saved us by retarding the arrival of Ld. Howe’s recruits....
129Resolution on the Case of General Sullivan, [29 July 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved that the former determinations of Congress to pass by rank and seniority on necessary occasions in order to avail their country of superior talents and experience were entered into on mature deliberation as being absolutely requisite for the salvation of these states, the armies of which, tho’ large, were embodied on sudden emergencies, and were of necessity in some instances...
130From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 30 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
On receipt of your letter we enquired into the probability of getting your seal done here. We find a drawer and an engraver here both of whom we have reason to believe are excellent in their way. They did great seals for Jamaica and Barbadoes both of which are said to have been well done, and a seal for the Philosophical society here which we are told is excellent. But they are expensive, and...
131From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 5 August 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry to hear that the Indians have commenced war, but greatly pleased you have been so decisive on that head. Nothing will reduce those wretches so soon as pushing the war into the heart of their country. But I would not stop there. I would never cease pursuing them while one of them remained on this side the Misisippi. So unprovoked an attack and so treacherous a one should never be...
132From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 9 August 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
As Col. Harrison was about to have some things packed, I set out upon the execution of your glass commission, and was surprised to find that the whole glass stores of the city could not make out anything like what you desired. I therefore did what I thought would be best, imagining you wanted the number you mentioned at any event, and that not being able to get them of that form, you would...
133Jefferson’s Outline of Argument Concerning Insubordination of Esek Hopkins, 12 August 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
The Commodore’[s] excuse for not going to Southern colonies agreeable to orders . Before he left capes of Delaware, he heard the Liverpool was joined to Ld. Dunmore , which made enemy an overmatch, and many of his men sea sick. He did not go to N. Carolina because [he] received intelligence the enemy’s force had gone from there and from S. Cara. to Georgia. (His men recovered as he got to the...
134From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Pendleton, 13 August 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Aug. 3. came to hand yesterday. Having had no moment to spare since, I am obliged to sit down to answer it at a Committee table while the Committee is collecting. My thoughts therefore on the subject you propose will be merely extempore. The opinion that our lands were allodial possessions is one which I have very long held, and had in my eye during a pretty considerable part of my...
135I. Franklin’s Proposal, [20 August 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
Moses standing on the Shore, and extending his Hand over the Sea, thereby causing the same to overwhelm Pharoah who is sitting in an open Chariot, a Crown on his Head and a Sword in his Hand. Rays from a Pillar of Fire in the Clouds, reaching to Moses, to express that he acts by Command of the Deity. Motto, Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God. MS ( DLC ); in Franklin’s hand. For the...
136II. Jefferson’s Proposal, 20 August 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Pharaoh sitting in an open chariot, a crown on his head and a sword in his hand passing thro’ the divided waters of the Red sea in pursuit of the Israelites: rays from a pillar of fire in the cloud, expressive of the divine presence, and command, reaching to Moses who stands on the shore and, extending his hand over the sea, causes it to overwhelm Pharaoh. Motto. Rebellion to tyrants is...
137From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 20 August 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
We have been in hourly expectation of the great decision at New York but it has not yet happened. About three nights ago an attempt was made to burn the two ships which had gone up the river. One of the two fire-rafts prepared for that purpose grappled the Phenix ten minutes but was cleared away at last. A tender however was burnt. The two ships came down on Sunday evening and passed all our...
138Draft of Resolutions on Lord Drummond’s Peace Proposals, [22? August 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved that the articles inclosed by Ld. Drummond to Ld. Howe whereby it is proposed ‘that it shall be ascertained by calculation what supply towards the general exigency of the state each separate colony shall furnish, to be encreased or lessened in proportion to the growth or decline of such colony, and to be vested in the king by a perpetual grant, in consideration whereof Great Britain...
139From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Pendleton, 26 August 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 10th. inst. came to hand about three days ago, the post having brought no mail with him the last week. You seem to have misapprehended my proposition for the choice of a Senate. I had two things in view: to get the wisest men chosen, and to make them perfectly independent when chosen. I have ever observed that a choice by the people themselves is not generally distinguished for...
140Notes for the Report on the Value of Gold and Silver Coins, [2 September 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
In Silver. Given the quantity of Standd [Standard] metal, say As 40 : 37 :: qty. Standd metal: qty. of pure silver, or X by .925. In Gold. Given the quantity of Standd metal, deduct 1/12 it leaves the qty. of fine gold. To make a dollar 6/. silver of that alloy must be 4d 20/139 the pennyweight. I.e. pure silver must be 4d 7404/15429 the dwt. By Virga. laws 24 grs standard gold = 22 grs pure...
141III. Jefferson’s Outline of Argument in Support of His Resolutions, 11 October–9 December 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Befre. ent. on Propr. Redress—see wt. is Injury—ye sta. Religs. Lib. Apostacy. act. 1705.c.6. 1st offce. disabld. to hold office. 2d. disabled to sue, incapb. of gift or legacy 3 3 three years imprismt. however conscients. ye Conversion. Heresy. < 1.El.c.1. > Heretico combura. State hs. adoptd. Athanasn. creed. Arians therefore Heretics eithr. Civl. or Eccles. judge in burn 1.H.P.c.405. 2....
142V. Notes on Acts of Parliament and of the Virginia Assembly concerning Religion, 11 October – 9 December 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Arians. Jews. N ( DLC ). MS worn; the marginal glosses can no longer be read and are here omitted. Rast : I.e., William Rastell, A Collection of Statutes Now in Force , numerous enlargements and abridgements from 1557 to 1706; TJ’s edn. was that of 1611 ( L.C. Cat. A Catalogue of Books Represented by Library of Congress Printed Cards , Ann Arbor, 1942–1946; also Supplement , 1948. ;...
143VI. Notes on Locke and Shaftesbury, 11 October–9 December 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Locke’s system of Christianity is this. Adam was created happy & immortal: but his happiness was to have been Earthly , and earthly immortality. by sin he lost this, so that he became subject to total death (like that of brutes) & to the crosses & unhappinesses of this life. at the intercession however of the son of god this sentence was in part remitted. a life conformable to the law was to...
144VII. Notes on Episcopacy, 11 October–9 December 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Gr. Eπιςκoπoς. Lat. Episcopus. Ital. Vescovo. Fr. Evesque. Saxon. Biscop. Bishop. (overseer) The epistles of Paul to Timothy & Titus are relied on (together with tradition) for the Apostolic institution of bishops. As to tradition, if we are protestants we reject all tradition, & rely on the scripture alone, for that is the essence & common principle of all the protestant churches. As to...
145VIII. Notes on Heresy, 11 October–9 December 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
A heretic is an impugner of fundamentals. what are fundamentals? the protestants will say those doctrines which are clearly & precisely delivered in the holy scriptures. Dr. Waterland would say the Trinity. but how far this character [of being clearly delivered?] will suit the doctrine of the Trinity I leave others to determine. it is no where expressly declared by any of the earliest fathers,...
146IX. Miscellaneous Notes on Religion, 11 October–9 December 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
* * N ( DLC ). Miscellaneous fragments, described in textual notes below. Partly illegible. Brackets in MS . This Act was passed in the session of 1659/60 ( Hening, William W. Hening, The Statutes at Large; Being a Collection of All the Laws of Virginia I, 532–3); the parts within brackets, indicating illegible or mutilated portions of the MS , are supplied from the Act itself. The foregoing...
147I. Rough Draft of Jefferson’s Resolutions for Disestablishing the Church of England and for Repealing Laws Interfering … (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved &c. That the statutes 1.E.6.c.1. 5 & 6.E.6.c.1. 1.El.c.2. 23.El.c.1. 28.El.c.6. 35.El.c.1. 1.Jac.1.c.4. 3.Jac.1.c.1. 3.Jac.1.c.4. 3.Jac.1.c.21. and the act of ass. 1705.c.6. & so much of all other acts or < ordinances > statutes as < prescribe punishments for the offence of opinions deemed heretical > render criminal the maintaining any opinions in matters of religion or the...
148From Thomas Jefferson to John Hancock, 11 October 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 30th. together with the resolutions of Congress of the 26th. Ult. came safe to hand. It would argue great insensibility in me could I receive with indifference so confidential an appointment from your body. My thanks are a poor return for the partiality they have been pleased to entertain for me. No cares for my own person, nor yet for my private affairs would have induced...
149Memoranda on the Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland Boundaries, [5 November 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
If the Monongahela is the line it will throw 300. Virginia families into Pennsylva. Most of these live between the Yohiogany and Monongahela. Not one third of that number of Pennsylvanians would be thrown on the Virginia side. If the Laurel hill is the boundary it will place on the Virginia side all the Virginia settlers, and about 200. families of Pennsylvania settlers. A middle line is...
150Notes concerning the Bill for the Removal of the Seat of Government of Virginia, [11 November 1776?] (Jefferson Papers)
N ( DLC ). These memoranda are written on the last page of the draft Bill for the Removal of the Seat of Government, introduced 11 Nov. 1776, q.v. It is not possible to say whether these notes, which obviously pertain to the Removal Bill, were made in 1776 or 1779; the cost figures would indicate the latter, but in that year the arguments in favor of removal (as indicated by the speedy...