1701From Thomas Jefferson to John Sevier, 31 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The extraordinary & critical situation of our foreign relations rendering it necessary, in the opinion of the National legislature, that their next recess should be short. they have passed an act for a meeting on the 4th. Monday of May, of which I inclose you a copy. as the election of representatives for the state of Tenissee would not, in the ordinary course, be in time for this meeting, I...
1702From 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....
1703From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 13 September 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 8th. came to hand yesterday, and I this day wrote to mr Barnes in consequence. I am sorry to find that Henry Duke has drawn 300. D. from you, as his letter informs me. as he did not draw the money when lodged for him in May, [he was] according to agreement to give me 3. months notice. this makes no other odds than the increasing your advance [and it] would have been convenient for...
1704From Thomas Jefferson to Nathaniel Burwell, 26 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 11th. inst. and am happy to be able to explain the appearance of a double employment of trustees in the affairs of Mr. Paradise. This is what was at first arranged, while I was in Europe. It was necessary to have trustees in London who might receive the proceeds of Mr. Paradise’s estate and pay it to his creditors, and to whom the creditors might apply. Dr....
1705From Thomas Jefferson to Caspar Wistar, 26 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
My friend mr Thomas Digges of Warburton whom you met here the first evening I had the pleasure of seeing you here, being about to send his two nephews, mr Fitzgerald & mr Carroll to Philadelphia for the study of medecine, wishes for the benefit of some information or counsel from you on their subject. apprehensive that the momentary view you had of him here may not sufficiently justify his...
1706Draft of a Bill to Give the Articles of Confederation the Force of Law, [after 15 December 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas certain articles of confederation and perpetual union were on the day of last proposed by Congress to be entered into between the states of New-Hampshire, Massachusettsbay, Rhode island and Providence plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylva, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, N. Carolina, S. Carolina, and Georgia, in these words following to wit ‘Article I. the stile &c....
1707To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 14 March 1807 (Madison Papers)
The following Commissions to be made out. Lemuel Trescott of Massachusets Collector of the district, & Inspector of the revenue for the port of Machias. Jonathan Palmer of Connecticut Surveyor of the port of Stonington, & Inspector of the revenue for the same. John Vemor junr. Surveyor of the port of Albany & Inspector of the revenue for the same. Robert Cockran of N. Carolina Collector for...
1708From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Bacon, 10 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I now inclose you 620. D. to be applied as follows. to John Perry 200. D. James Walker 100. D. Dabney Minor 266. 67 to discharge a debt from G. Lilly, take in the bond yourself, on account 53. 33 for fodder &c.
1709From Thomas Jefferson to John Laval, 11 February 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 5 th is just recieved & I now inclose you 10.D. to cover the balance of 6D.25 the surplus to remain on account between us. you have obliged me much by writing to England for the books. I would not chuse to recieve M ds Campon in English, but whenever you can get a French copy I will thank you for it. I shall be glad if you can send me Delaplace’s Exposition du Systeme du Monde in...
1710From Thomas Jefferson to Lucy Ludwell Paradise, 6 January 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Engaged in writing letters by an opportunity which offers for England, it has not been in my power to answer sooner your favor of the day before yesterday. I think you make yourself more unhappy about your affairs than they merit. And even were they worse than they are, the uneasiness you give yourself, the perpetually brooding over them in your mind would not mend them. It may injure your...
1711From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 24 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
As you have been so kind as to remain here, among other purposes, for that of organizing our troops meant to be forwarded to the south, I beg leave to inclose to you a resolution of the Executive of this State, entered into previous to your arrival here appropriating such of the men as were before unappropriated to any particular corps, and directing in what manner they shou’d be officered. I...
1712To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 29 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor of inclosing to the President a letter just received from Messrs Viar & Jaudenes, and will have that of waiting on him in the evening. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; AL (letterpress copy), DLC : Jefferson Papers; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State; LB (photocopy),
1713To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 22 February 1798 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 12th. is recieved. I wrote you last on the 15th. but the letter getting misplaced, will only go by this post. We still hear nothing from our Envoys. Whether the Executive hear we know not. But if war were to be apprehended, it is impossible our envoys should not find means of putting us on our guard, or that the Executive should hold back their information. No news therefore is...
1714From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 23 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by mr Beverley Randolph a Cadet, who goes on to take his place under you. he is the son of a friend of mine in Virginia, born to independant expectations, but by the entire reduction of his father’s circumstances, left without any resource but in himself. my concern for the family induces me to sollicit on his behalf your friendly counsel & tutelage on all occasions;...
1715From Thomas Jefferson to Willink, Van Staphorst & Hubbard, 9 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 2d. instant, and a few hours before I had received one from the Treasury board settling for us the order in which the monies of the last loan shall be paid. This takes a middle ground, ordering, according to your wish, the paiment of the interest for the ensuing month of June in the first place, and then ensures to the particular purpose committed to me...
1716[From Thomas Jefferson to Cassini, 13 June 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris 13 June 1787 . Entry in SJL under this date reads: “Cassini. le comte de à l’Observatoire royal.” Not found.]
1717Extracts from Beeke’s Observations, [1800?] (Jefferson Papers)
mr Pitt. Beeke Landlord’s rents 25,000,000£ 20,000,000£ fa[rm]ing profits 19,000,000 15,000,000 t[it]hes 5,000,000 2,500,000 mines &c 3,000,000 4,500,000 houses 6,000,000 10,000,000 professions 2,000,000 *
1718Thomas Jefferson to Jean Baptiste Say, 2 March 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of June 15 . came to hand in December, and it is not til l the ratification of our peace that a safe conveyance for an answer could be obtained. I thank you for the copy of the new edition of your work which accompanied your letter . I had considered it in it’s first form as superceding all other works on that subject and shall set proportional value on any improvement of it. I...
1719From Thomas Jefferson to Peregrine Williamson, 22 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been so much engaged lately that it has not been in my power sooner to write this short letter. The 4. calendar pens arrived safely, and I now inclose you a bank draught for 25. D. for those & what was furnished before. I find them answer perfectly and now indeed use no other kind. always willing to render service to any useful advance in the arts, I have no objection to your using the...
1720Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton, 25 March 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I observe you advertise fine family flour for sale . in return for Col o Alston ’s compliment of rice the last year I wish to send him ½ a doz. barrels of the finest family flour in the world. this would be acceptable because they have it not there. market flour, even good, would be an insult, becaus e they have it in abundance. I place my honor therefore in your hands when I request you to...
1721Thomas Jefferson to John Taggart, 25 December 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
On my return from a journey after an absence of between 5. & 6 weeks, I find here your favor of Nov. 20. and willingly comply with your wishes on behalf of your son . altho’ I think nothing can be wanting in addition to such recommendations as those from Cap t Jones , mess rs Biddle Patterson D r Rush
1722From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 3 October 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inclose herewith the following papers. Mr. Genet’s answer with respect to his opposing the service of process on a vessel is singularly equivocal. I rather conjecture he means to withdraw the opposition, and I am in hopes my letter to Mr. Hammond will have produced another effort by the Marshal which will have succeeded. Should this not be the case, if military constraint...
1723Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 25 May 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry to hear of your attack of rheumatism both on your own account & that of the public, & as I think you will have to go on as soon as you are able. I believe that immediately on the pacification with England , a vessel was dispatched to France for the Ultimatum of that government as I presume. Turreau was earnest in giving assurances that Napoleon would revoke his decrees, considering...
1724From Thomas Jefferson to Gibson & Jefferson, 13 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Two days ago the Schooner Dolphin, Sprogell, sailed from hence having on board 9. boxes marked T. Jefferson No. 1. to 9. 1. Trunk. No. 10. a basket 4. barrels T.I. No. 7. 12. 13. 14. one box 12. barrels fish for myself 3. barrels do. for Sam. Carr. with other articles in the same bill for him. as by the three bills of lading inclosed you will see. they are on arrival to be forwarded by water...
1725Notes of a Conversation with George Washington, 1 October 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Bladensbg. Oct. 1. This morning at Mt. Vernon I had the following conversation with the President. He opened it by expressing his regret at the resolution in which I appeared so fixed in the letter I had written him of retiring from public affairs. He said that he should be extremely sorry that I should do it as long as he was in office, and that he could not see where he should find another...
1726From Thomas Jefferson to C. W. F. Dumas, 8 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of Dec. 11. Jan. 23. and Mar. 3. have been duly received. Your despatches for Mr. Jay always go by the first safe conveyance after they come. I have been long acknowleging the receipt of your former letters because during the winter a very sick family prevented my attending to any but the most indispensable business, and because I saw by your zealous and judicious publications in...
1727Thomas Jefferson to John Breck Treat, 30 November 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved in due time your favor covering your meteorological Diary of the post of the Arkansas , and being satisfied I could not use it to a better purpose or more to your gratification or honor, I communicated it to the Philosophical society at Philadelphia , & now have the pleasure to inclose their letter of thanks. desirous of making better known to the world, than it has hitherto been,...
1728From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, with Enclosure, 1 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
A journey into the Southern parts of France and Northern of Italy must apologize to you for the length of time elapsed since my last, and for the delay of acknowleging the receipt of your favors of Nov. 8. and Dec. 9. 1786. and Apr. 14. 1787. Your two phials of essence de Lorient arrived during that interval and got separated from the letters which accompanied them, so that I could not be sure...
1729From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 22 May 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter, which I have left open for your perusal, will sufficiently explain it’s object, and the favor I ask respecting it. I do not know the Christian name of the person to whom it is addressed, nor with certainty his residence. but he is brother to the mr Clarke who superintends the manufactory of arms at Richmond. I must ask the favor of you to send me 500. bushels of coal, by...
1730Thomas Jefferson to H. C. Carey & I. Lea, 27 June 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
In answering the enquiries of your letter of the 12 th I must first observe that what I shall say is on the report of my neighbors, & not of my own knolege. the mr M c kennies (for there are two brothers of them) came to Charlottesville some two or three years ago, & set up a weekly paper on a small scale, at 3.D. a year. it was understood that they had little capital, and they did the whole...
1731Thomas Jefferson to Pierre Samuel Du Pont de Nemours, 6 June 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I am just returned from the journey mentioned in mine of May 15. and find here yours of May 26 . I see that you do not despair of your country . but I confess I foresee no definite term to the despotism now reestablished there, and the less as the nation seems to have voluntarily assumed the yoke, and to have made, of an usurper , a legitimate despot. what can we hope from a mind without moral...
1732From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 15 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 7th. was recieved yesterday; and I have this day inclosed mr Sandford’s letter to mr Madison for perusal and to be forwarded by him to you. the skill & spirit with which mr Sandford and mr Edwards conducted the prosecution gives perfect satisfaction. nor am I dissatisfied with the result; I had no wish to see Smith imprisoned: he has been a man of integrity & honor, led astray by...
1733From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Greenhow, 14 April 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
In the letter of Mar. 22. with which you favored me, is the following passage, of informn with respect to Skeletons a great number are imported here from France. they are sold here for 45.D. and consequently would cost you not more than 35.D. you should have two, a male and female connected by wires, and one natural skeleton, that is the bones connected by the natural ligaments. the whole...
1734Thomas Jefferson to Robert S. Garnett, 4 April 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved in due time your favor of Mar. 20. contain covering recommendations of Don Marcus Escopinachi as Professor of modern languages. they abundantly establish his qualifications for that office, and your own recommendation of D r Speed & more particularly of mr Bonfils would be equally sufficient. but the Visitors of the University are of opinion that it’s whole funds should be applied...
1735Thomas Jefferson to William J. Harris, 9 October 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
On the reciept of the letters of mr Eppes , mr Giles & others in your behalf, I wrote to mr Hamilton , Secretary of the navy inclosin g them, and have just recieved his answer expressing his readiness to make out your appointment as midshipman whenever you will call for it. you have now therefore only to go to Washington , there recieve your appointment, and the instructions of mr Hamilton...
1736From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Miller, 23 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of the 18th and am thankful to you for having written it, because it is more agreeable to prevent than to refuse what I do not think myself authorised to comply with. I consider the government of the US. as interdicted by the constitution from intermedling with religious institutions, their doctrines, discipline, or exercises. this results not only from the...
1737Thomas Jefferson to William C. C. Claiborne, 2 May 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
The honble mr Dawson , a member of Congress , proposes to become an inhabitant of the state of Louisiana . I think he must formerly have been personally known to you: but lest I should be mistaken in this, I take the liberty of making him the subject of this letter. he is a gentleman of liberal education, regularly brought up to the law, was very early in life placed in the council of state of...
1738Thomas Jefferson to William Darby, 22 June 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you, Sir, for the copy of your Description of Louisiana which you have been so kind as to send me . it arrives in the moment of my departure on a journey of considerable absence. I shall avail myself of the first moments of leisure after my return to read it, & doubt not I shall recieve from it both pleasure and information. the labors of an oppressive correspondence reduce almost to...
1739Advice of Council respecting Reinforcements of Militia, [ca. 4 September 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
The board advise that 2041 militia be called into service to relieve those now on duty to the Southward to be made up by requiring so many men from the counties last called on for the Southern service as they failed to March from their county viz. Pittsylva. 45. &c. notifying to the commanding officers of the said counties that every man to whose lot it now falls to go shall be excused by...
1740Thomas Jefferson to James W. Wallace, 24 August 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Having recieved a box of fine Havanna segars & knowing your fondness for them, I cannot make any use of them so gratifying to myself as by sending them to you. having occasion to send a cart to Washington , it will go by Fauq r C.H. to deposit this charge with you. it will return by Dumfries for a pair of Wild geese promised me there, as I have had the misfortune to lose the goose of the pair...
1741From Thomas Jefferson to John Barnes, 25 February 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
As attorney in fact for Mr. William Short one of the ministers in Europe for the US. I inclose you two 6. per cent certificates of his amounting to three thousand eight hundred ninety three dollars eighty nine cents, to be sold to the best advantage you can for his account, as also to receive three hundred and ninety dollars sixty two cents due on his stock of different descriptions,...
1742From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Donald, 11 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
This accompanies a duplicate of my letter of Oct. 11. troubling you with some small commissions, to which I must add the having some window sashes made for me agreeable to the inclosed directions, and the sending them to Virginia in the ensuing spring.—But there is another commission with which I trouble you with real reluctance. It is to procure for me from Glasgow or Edinburgh a mason...
1743Thomas Jefferson to William A. Burwell, 25 February 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 16 th has given me real uneasiness. I was certainly very unfortunate in the choice of my expression when I hit upon one which could excite any doubt of my unceasing affections for you. in observing that you might use the information as you should find proper, I meant merely that you might communicate it to the President , the Secretaries of state or war , or to young mr Lee , as...
1744From Thomas Jefferson to Gabriel Christie, 13 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I expected some wines, fruits Etc. to a considerable amount but of still more importance from the want of them, by the American Schooner the Three friends, Capt Harvey, of Baltimore. she left Marseilles for Baltimore early in November, as I learn by duplicates of the dispatches entrusted to her. I fear she must have been either taken or lost. can you do me the favor to learn from her owners,...
1745From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 24 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have nothing interesting to tell you from hence but that we are well, and how much we love you. From Monticello you have every thing to write about which I have any care. How do my young chesnut trees? How comes on your garden? How fare the fruit blossoms &c. I sent to Mr. Randolph, I think, some seed of the Bent-grass which is much extolled. I now inclose you some seed which Mr. Hawkins...
1746Enclosure: Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on William Wirt’s Biography of Patrick Henry, [ca. 29 September 1816] (Jefferson Papers)
page 92. there is one circumstance in my letter here quoted which may not perhaps be exactly correct, to wit, whether Gov r Livingston produced Jay ’s draught in the House of Congress , or in the Committee to which Lee ’s draught was recommitted? the latter seems most agreeable to usage; and lest I should have erred in this particular, I have so modified the quotation as to adapt it to either...
1747From Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton, 15 April 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I correct my blunder of misdirecting my letter to mr Madison by inclosing it to him this day. I committed a similar one while in Paris by cross directing two letters to two ladies out of which scrape I did not get so easily. affectionate salutations MiU-C .
1748From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 4 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the papers in the cases of two vessels at Bermuda Hundred under a suggestion of an intended evasion of the embargo. they will explain the whole case on which you will be pleased to decide and direct in conformity with the established course. also a petn from the starving inhabitants of Passamaquoddy, who I had supposed could not want flour for 7. years to come. the former case...
1749From Thomas Jefferson to John F. Mercer, 26 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
On the reciept of your letter of the 6th. inst: I forwarded that to mr Pinckney with the papers accompanying it to the Secretary of state who has, with my sanction, written to mr Pinckney to conform to your wish and forwarded your letter & papers to him. Accept my friendly salutations and assurances of my high consideration & respect. PrC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “Govr. Mercer.” i forwarded :...
1750From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 14 October 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
By this post I forward the papers in the dispute between mr Ross & my [self] to Dr. Currie, who [has] agreed to be the [depository] of them. as I made paiments in money for a tobo. debt, I am entitled to have them converted into tobo. at the Cash price at which […] [I had purchased and inspected] tobo. on the 1st. of Jan. […] [and] […] [the prices] stated to me in your letter mr Rutherford...