3001From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Alexander Scammell Dearborn, 13 September 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 6 th and supposing it possible that mr Appleton may not have sent you an invoice of the cost of the marble for our University arrived in your port, so as to enable you to settle the duties, I inclose you his account furnished to me, by which you will see what their prime cost has been. these marble capitals were ordered Oct. 8. 1823. the new Tariff law...
3002Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 22 July 1804 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 1 st. inst. was duly recieved, and I would not again have intruded on you but to rectify certain facts which seem not to have been presented to you under their true aspect. my charities to Callender are considered as rewards for his calumnies. as early, I think, as 1796. I was told in Philadelphia that Callendar, the author of the Political progress of Britain, was in that...
3003Thomas Jefferson to Virginia Delegates in Congress, 18 December 1780 (Madison Papers)
Translation (Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation). Jefferson’s original letter is probably not extant. This French version, translated and copied by a person or persons unknown, was in all likelihood sent from Philadelphia on 2 January 1781 by the Chevalier de La Luzerne in his letter to Chevalier Charles René D. S. Destouches, who commanded the French fleet at Newport, Rhode Island, after...
3004From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 14 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor by Capt. Heath, and notice what is said therein on the subject of the Marquee. Capt. Singleton has been certainly misinformed as to the delivery of it at Monticello. You know it was in the summer of 1782. I was at home the whole of that summer. My situation at that time enables me to say with certainty that I was not from home one day from the time the Marquee was...
3005From Thomas Jefferson to Lefévre, Roussac & Cie., 8 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of the 1st. and 11th. of July came safely to hand. The wine you sent to the care of Messrs. Achards is arrived at Rouen. Your bill was presented to me three days ago, was accepted and shall be duly paid. When Mr. Pecquet was here I asked him if he would send me some very good Malvoisie de Madeire. He told me that by attending the sales of wine, after decease, he could purchase what...
3006Enclosure: Thomas Jefferson’s Notice for Anonymous Insertion in Richmond Enquirer, [ca. 7 January 1822] (Jefferson Papers)
In our paper of the 3 d we quot under the head of the ‘Next President’ we quoted from the Petersbg Intelligencer the information of a Gentleman from Columbia S.C. on this subject mentioning that in a Caucus of the members assembled there for the nomn of a Presid t a letter was read from
3007From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 21 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Trumbull proposing to have his paintings of the principal actions of the American war engraved, by subscription, and supposing that some sets may be subscribed for in France, knows too well the value of your patronage there not to be ambitious of obtaining it. But he knows so little his own value, and your sense of it, as to believe that my recommendations to you may be of service to him....
3008Thomas Jefferson to Louis H. Girardin, 18 March 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
Your messenger finds me to the elbows in the dust of my book-shelves. I recieved my Catalalogue Catalogue , last night , and have begun the revisal of the shelves to-day. from this small specimen it seems as if it would take me three weeks very laborious work.— I send you 2 d Toulongeon , and return your Cahier, with approbation of every thing except as to the detention of the Convention...
3009Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Hamilton, Henry Knox, and Edmund Randolph, [24 August 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
Th. Jefferson submits to the Secretaries of the treasury & War & the Atty Genl. some sketches of Notes to be signed for the President. As they are done from memory only, they will be pleased to insert whatever more their memories suggest as material. Particularly, the final conclusion as to the express-vessel will be to be inserted, which is most accurately know to the Secy. of the Treasury....
3010From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, with Enclosure, 23 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
When I wrote my letter of the 4th. inst. I had no reason to doubt that a packet would have sailed on the 10th. according to the established order. The passengers had all, except one, gone to Havre in this expectation. None however is sailed, and perhaps none will sail, as I think the suppression of the packets is one of the oeconomies in contemplation. An American merchant concerned in the...
3011Thomas Jefferson to John Barnes, 17 January 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 6 th is duly recieved, and was communicated to mr Randolph , who, as I informed you is sole tenant of my mills , which he holds from year to year, the year beginning the 1 st of July. he has no disposition to recieve a partner, because as he found to be the case in his late partnership his property became liable for all the losses while he had recieved but half the...
3012From Thomas Jefferson to Rufus King, 17 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I now return you the M.S. history of Bacon’s rebellion with many thanks for the communication. it is really a valuable morsel in the history of Virginia. that transaction is the more marked as it was the only rebellion or insurrection which had ever taken place in the colony before the American revolution. neither it’s cause nor course have been well understood, the public records containing...
3013I. Bounds of a Proposed Northwest Colony, 1 September 1783–1 March 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Bounded by a line of Longitude running from the most Southernly point of Lake Michigan to the Ouabache, then down the middle of the Ouabache to where it crosses a line of Latitude 40 degrees from the equator, thence along the said Line of Latitude to within five degrees of Longitude of the river Delaware, thence along a line five degrees of Longitude in every point of it from the said river...
3014From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 19 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of April 3. came to hand June 13. my last to you was of Apr. 19. when I wrote so fully in answer to your several favors, that I should not have had occasion to write now but by way of supplement as to the particular article of the purchase of stock for you, not then finished. as soon as the peace had produced the whole of it’s effect on our stock by depressing it, and it was percieved...
3015From Thomas Jefferson to Green Clay, 28 May 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 4 th is just now recieved, and I am sorry it is not in my power to give you any information on the subject of your enquiries. such a length of time has elapsed, so much is my memory impaired by age, and so much other matter has since past through it, dislodging what had preceded, that not a trace remains of any treaty with the Cherokees concerning the lands you mention. if...
3016From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 9 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The State commissary having come to me yesterday I sent him on to your Headquarters to provide subsistence for the troops and observe your orders in every thing. A waggon load of fixed ammunition and two feild peices have past this place for General Nelson. The residue (I beleive about two waggon loads) was ordered on to you yesterday. I am very happy to hear you have General Smallwood’s...
3017Form of Deeds for Henderson Purchases, [September 1801?] (Jefferson Papers)
The deeds to be in the following form. This indenture made on the day of 1801. between John R. Kerr and his wife on the one part and Craven Peyton on the other part, all of the county of Albemarle, witnesseth that the said John R. Kerr and his wife in consideration of the sum of to them in hand actually paid, have given granted bargained and sold unto the said Craven [here insert the...
3018From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 19 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Not doubting but the General Assembly will be glad to be informed of the Occurrences in the Carolina’s, I take the liberty of transmitting to them a Letter I have received from General Greene and some extracts from Letters received from Major McGill who is with the Southern Army. I have the Honor to be, &c., P.S. I must take the liberty of begging a return of Genl. Greene’s Letter when...
3019From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Ravara, 25 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I sincerely lament the situation in which you are unhappily placed. Though circumstances have worn such an aspect as to render it necessary in the opinion of the magistrate to subject them to a legal enquiry, yet I hope they will be found finally inconclusive. But till that enquiry, there is no power in this country which can withdraw you from the custody of the law, nor shorten it’s duration....
3020Thomas Jefferson to Madame de Staël Holstein, 3 July 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I considered your letter of Nov. 10. 12. as an evidence of the interest you were so kind as to take in the welfare of the United states, and I was even flattered by your exhortations to avoid taking any part in the war then raging in Europe , because they were a confirmation of the policy I had my self pursued, and which I thought and still think should be the governing canon of our republic....
3021From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Wood, 26 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
On reciept of your letter of the 21st . I had the necessary enquiry made in the department of the treasury, from which I recieved the inclosed correspondence. this is so full & explicit that I need do nothing more than inclose it for your information. I tender you my salutations & respects. PoC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “Mr. Alexander Wood”; endorsed by TJ. Enclosure: see Gallatin to TJ, [25...
3022Thomas Jefferson to Henry Jackson, 8 February 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I am really ashamed, Sir, to repeat at such short intervals the liberties I take with your cover. but I recieved last night a letter from mr Ticknor from Gottingen , two days after mr Terril had left us, and my anxiety that an answer should overtake him induces me to attempt it. mr Ticknor writes me he will be in Paris in the spring as early as the roads will permit, by which time I am in...
3023From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 11 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Doctr. Franklin sets out this morning for Havre from whence he is to cross over to Cowes there to be taken on board Capt. Truxen’s ship bound from London to Philadelphia. The Doctor’s baggage will be contained in 150. or 200 boxes &c. We doubt that the laws of England will not permit these things to be removed from one vessel into another; and it must be attended with great difficulty, delay...
3024Thomas Jefferson to William H. Crawford, 5 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
The death of Gen l Kosciuzko , which I see announced in the papers in a form leaving no doubt of it’s truth, makes it a duty in me to trouble you with this letter. he possessed, as you know, a considerable sum of money in our funds. when he left the US. in 1798. he authorised me, by a power of attorney, to superintend the transaction of his business here, which has accordingly been done thro’...
3025From Thomas Jefferson to William Duane, 14 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson salutes mr Duane and asks the favor of him to procure & forward to him the following books, which he thinks he mentioned to him in conversation when he had the pleasure of seeing him last, & mr Duane thought he could procure the editions desired Malthus, if an 8vo. edition can be had. Conversations in Chemistry } decent English editions in 8vo. or 12mo. Cumberland’s Memoirs the...
3026From Thomas Jefferson to George Muter, 29 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The habitual drunkenness of Colo. Warneck renders him in the opinion of the board unfit to be longer trusted with the execution of the duties of an engineer. Should he chuse (on your intimating this to him) to resign, the board are disposed to give him what assistance they may justifiably: otherwise it becomes necessary that you take proper measures for trying him by a proper court in order to...
3027From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 6 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The appointment of mr Alger, recommended by mr Milledge, as Commr. of loans, in the room of the one who is dead, is approved. extreme reluctance to appoint a violent federalist at Cherrystone’s induces a wish to defer it as long as can be admitted in the hope of hearing of some good republican to invest with it. RC ( NHi : Gallatin Papers); addressed: “The Secretary of the Treasury.”
3028From Thomas Jefferson to John Churchman, 18 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 15th. of May. I had before received and answered the first letter you wrote me; but the 2d. which you mention to have written, never came to hand. I have sent to the Secretary of the Academy of sciences the printed paper inclosed in your last. I asked at the same time the authenticated copy which you desired of the entry on their journals relative to your...
3029VIII. Jefferson’s Vocabulary of the Unquachog Indians, [14 June 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
Unquachogs. About 20. souls. They constitute the Pusspátock settlement in the town of Brookhaven S. side of Long island. The language they speak is a dialect differing a little from the Indians settled near Southampton called Shinicocks and also from those of Montock called Montocks. The three tribes can barely understand each other. quadrupeds { cow. čowsen — turkey nahiam. horse. hosses...
3030From Thomas Jefferson to Arthur S. Brockenbrough, 2 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I was just getting on my horse to see you when some members of Congress arrive and keep me at home. I am obliged therefore to request you to come to me , as it is of great necessity I should see you to-day if possible. we are called on by the Collector of Boston for immediate payment of our bond, due, as he says, the 6 th instant. I must answer him by tomorrow’s mail. ViU : Thomas Jefferson...
3031From Thomas Jefferson to Pierre Samuel Dupont, 15 February [1788] (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged to you, Sir, for the communication of the draught of the Arret. I am sure there never would have come a single cod-fish to the entrepots: therefore I am curious to know what were the real motives which produced this opposition. I shall so represent the matter in my letters as that nothing shall be thought of it. I have the honour to be with great thankfulness for your favors,...
3032From Thomas Jefferson to John Henry Sherburne, 2 July 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of June 29. was recieved yesterday. the fac-simile of the hand writing of J. P. Jones is good; but as to the engraving of his figure, I must in truth and candor say, it does not recall one single feature of his face to my perfect recollection of him. Houdon’s bust of him is an excellent likeness. why have they not taken a side-face of him from that? such an one would be perfect. and...
3033From Thomas Jefferson to Pierre Samuel Du Pont de Nemours, 11 August 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter by the last post I omitted to answer the question proposed in a former & repeated in your letter of July 26. whether your manuscript on education can be forwarded by post? it may; and will come safer through that than any other channel. accept in advance my grateful thanks for it; and my effort will not be wanting to avail my country of your ideas. success rests with the gods.—I...
3034Thomas Jefferson to John Hemmings, 18 December 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter was dated Tuesday the 11 th . came in the mail to Charlottesville Saturday night the 15 th . I recieved it the next day 16 th and it requested the mules to be at Poplar Forest on Monday (yesterday) the 17 th which was impossible. it moreover rained all day yesterday and last night. the boys set off this morning. I desired Jefferson to tell you to make out a bill of scantling for...
3035From Thomas Jefferson to Uriah Forrest, 14 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Coxe, the Assistant to the Secretary of the treasury purposing to take a tour of relaxation, and to visit George-town in the course of it, I take the liberty of introducing him to your acquaintance and good offices. His character and merit are too well known to need any commendations. Any services you can render him will be considered as conferring an obligation on Dear Sir Your most...
3036Thomas Jefferson to John M. Perry, 16 February 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
M r M c Gruder has written to me urgently on the subject of the plank due him: I must therefore press you to execute that contract immediately, that I may at length be done with it. he says he is ready to return the money on recieving the plank, and as I presume, on his recieving the stocks from you, as he is to do the sawing himself. be so good as to let me know what I may say to him. Accept...
3037Thomas Jefferson to James Madison , 27 June 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters of the 8 th 15 th and 22 d are now to be acknoleged. I should consider the debt to mr Hooe as made incumbent on us by the wish of our Donor, and shall chearfully acquiesce in any arrangement you make on that subject. I have accordingly suspended sending for my portion till further information from you. Dougherty’s bill shall be duly attended to. I have recieved a copy of Judge...
3038From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Pinckney, 8 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I took the liberty, some short time ago, of putting under cover to you some packets containing copies of official papers which Mr. John Carey had been permitted to take and publish, accompanying them with a request that you would be so good as to deliver them to him particularly, but to no other person should any accident happen to him. I now trouble you with another packet of the same kind...
3039From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 2 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I acknowledged yesterday the receipt of yours of May 28. and have not since seen mr Barnes . but as I have to remit you a larger sum in the course of a week, it will certainly be better that you retain the 679.84 D of mr Short’s in part of what I have to remit and mr Barnes will place so much here to the credit of mr Short. I only wish that these new exchanges may not enter into the account...
3040Notes on a Conversation with Perez Morton, 24 March 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Mar. 24. mr Perez Morton of Mass. tells me that Thatcher , on his return from the War-Congress, declared to him he had been for a decln of war against France, & many others also; but that on counting noses they found they could not carry it, & therefore did not attempt it. MS ( DLC : TJ Papers, 108:18559); entirely in TJ’s hand; on same sheet as Notes on John Marshall, 21 Mch. Perez Morton...
3041From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Willson Peale, 15 September 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday, and with great pleasure, your favor of the 10 th informing me of your good health, which I hope may long continue. for 7. years past mine has been sensibly declining, and latterly is quite broken down. I have now been confined to the house, and chiefly to my couch, for 4 months, by a derangement of the urinary system, which as yet exhibits no prospect of a definite...
3042From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Harrison Smith, 21 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Smith, and incloses the little book which he wishes to have printed, without subjecting it to any copy-right. he will ask of mr Smith either to print him 100. copies at his own expence, or for mr Smith to print it on his own account & let Th: J. have 75. copies at the selling price. the sooner it is begun, the better. RC ( DLC : J. Henley Smith...
3043Report on Census, 24 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
SCHEDULE of the whole number of Persons within the several Districts of the United States, taken according to “An Act providing for the Enumeration of the Inhabitants of the United States;” passed March the 1 st , 1790. districts. Free white Males of
3044Thomas Jefferson to the Federal Assessor for Rockbridge County, 11 February 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I own a tract of land of 157. acres in the county of Rockbridge including the Natural bridge , which being liable to the tax laid by Congress it is my duty to give you notice of it. it is I have leased to D r William Thornton of Richmond a site on it for a shot manufactory, and nothing being provided in the lease as to taxes, I propose to pay those on the land, as he will of whatever...
3045Thomas Jefferson to Joshua Dodge, 22 August 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
It was not until the beginning of this month that I learned the death of my friend mr Cathalan , a friend of upwards of 30. years, whom I had learned to esteem by a personal acquaintance and many kindnesses recieved at Marseilles from himself, his father and mother , then living. from his constitution and habits, and my more advanced age I had hoped to have been spared the regrets of his loss....
3046Memorandum to James Madison, [after 12 January 1792] (Jefferson Papers)
Notes on the alloy of the Dollar dwt grs. dwt The Spanish dollar, till 1728, had 11–4 of pure metal to every 12 of mixed from 1728. to 1772 10–21 since 1772 10–17 The above is from the Encyclopedie grs mixed grs alloy grs mixed grs alloy The 1st. dollar gives this proportion 288 : 16 :: 416 : 23.11 &c. The 2d. 288
3047From Thomas Jefferson to J. Shriver, 21 December 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns his thanks to mr Shriver for the pamphlet and map he has been so kind as to send him on the Canal uniting the Eastern and Western waters. age & debility have in a great degree withdrawn his attention from all public concerns. still he rejoices to see national improvements going on, and especially those which are to facilitate intercourse with our Western brethren. he...
3048Thomas Jefferson to John Laval, 12 March 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 3 d was received on the 10 th . I was at the time & now am engageg engaged in the sale of the produce of my farms of the last year which will be soon accomplished and your balance shall be remitted, say in the course of the present month. it should not have waited till now but for the unexampled drought from June last which kept the river which carries our produce to market,...
3049Notes on Benjamin Johnson’s Lands Adjacent to Poplar Forest, [ca. 1 December 1812] (Jefferson Papers)
Mary Bradley Exec of Absalom Bradley } 1808. Jan. 23. to 114½ a s
3050From Thomas Jefferson to Jones & Howell, 7 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I now remit you an order of the bank of the US. of this place on that at Philadelphia for 243. D by the amount of your bill of sheet lead shipped Sep. 14. and salute you with great esteem & respect. MHi : Coolidge Collection.