3301From Thomas Jefferson to David Shepherd, 13 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to ask the favour of you to give notice to the Officer recommended by you for the Western Battalions that as soon as one half his [quota] of men is raised and delivered by you, he shall be entitled to his commission and must march the men on to Fort Pitt, the remaining half you must send on under a Serjeant to the same rendezvous. Lieutenant Colo. Knox is appointed to take command of the...
3302From Thomas Jefferson to William Jones, 16 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
General Smith has so far enabled us to get along with the navy department, by undertaking it’s direction without accepting the [commission], emoluments, or any thing which might vacate his seat in the H. of Representatives. but he will soon be obliged to relinquish it, so that I must make an appointment. before I do so I cannot deny myself the chance that a further view of the subject may have...
3303From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Mackay, 15 June 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Tho the matters which perpetually harrass my mind, and oblige me to give my first attentions to the calls of rigorous duty, may with truth be offered as an apology for a part of the delay of this acknolegement of your letter of Apr. 17. yet a greater part has proceeded from a desire to try in one place what could not be done in another on the subject of the letter. I made my first enquiries...
3304From Thomas Jefferson to Dabney Carr, 13 June 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of troubling you with a small commission of enquiry to which I will not add that of a long preamble. Mess rs Dodge & Iznard of Marseilles, by a letter of Feb. 18. 26. advised me that they had shipped 2 casks of wine for me on board the ship Mandarin A. M. Norman Master, bound to the port of Baltimore, and consigned for me to the Collector of that port. that letter I recieved...
3305From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 12 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Baker was to give notice to Colo. Crockett when he should have ready subsistence and pack horses for him. Colo. Matthew’s Suggestions as to the Militia shall be submitted to the Council, and the result communicated to Colo Crockett. I am sorry to hear that your Supplies of Provision are still precarious. Mr Divers has made a Proposition to victual the troops on contract, which we think to...
3306Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton, 8 May 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of Cap t Peyton ’s company to dinner tomorrow on peas. RC ( DLC ); written on a small scrap; dateline at foot of text. Not recorded in SJL .
3307From Thomas Jefferson to Chastellux, 4 April 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I must return you many thanks, my dear friend, for your kind attention in procuring me the acquaintance of Monsr. Bergasse , from whom I have received many civilities, and, what is more precious, abundance of information. To you and to him also I am indebted for an introduction to Monsr. Audibert, in whom I saw enough to make me regret that I could not see more of him. My journey from Paris to...
3308Memoranda 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...
3309From Thomas Jefferson to J. P. G. Muhlenberg, 24 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Having reason to believe that a butt of Sherry wine sent to me from Cadiz by the Eliza Capt Bisell, has been, or will be landed, at Philadelphia, to your care, I ask the favor of you to reship it to Richmond to the address of messrs. Gibson & Jefferson of that place. all duties & charges shall be paid as soon as you will be so good as to make them known to me. the uncertainty to what port...
3310Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton, 24 January 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
In a former letter I asked the favor of you to forward to me by waggon a box of books which I expected from N. York . but I presume they are ice-bound in James river . among a number of boxes of other things from Alexandria which I suppose are in Richmond and which must wait till the boats can run, there is a box of 50. ℔ raisins which I would gladly recieve by waggon also: the box is marked T...
3311To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 30 September 1821 (Madison Papers)
Mr Brockenbrough has been closely engaged, since our last meeting in settling the cost of the buildings finished at the University, that we might obtain a more correct view of the state of our funds, and see whether a competency will remain for the Library. He has settled for 6. pavilions, 1. hotel, and 35. dormitories and will proceed with the rest; so that I hope, by our next meeting, the...
3312From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Russell-Greaves, [18 January 1789] (Jefferson Papers)
[I am this moment favored with] yours of the 4th. instant. I had before received those of Sep. 17. and Dec. 11. The severity of the winter has been beyond all example in every part of France, even Marseilles. At Nice however it has been fine, and we do not learn that the cold has been remarkeable in any part of Italy. As health is your object, I should suppose there could be no question but...
3313Memorandum Books, 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 3. Charge John Perry 40. bushels of wheat delivd. him by McGehee on my order, at the agreed price of 9/. 6. Hhd. xp. 2.D. 7. Jerry exp. to Bedford 3.D. 8. Gave my note to George Gilmer for 120.D. for two mules paiable within the first week of April. Gave E. Bacon to pay Dettor for beef 23.17. 12.
3314From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 26 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of July 28. was recieved here on the 20th. instant. the superscription of my letter of July 11. by another hand was to prevent danger to it from the curious. your statement respecting the Berceau, coincides with my own recollections in the circumstances recollected by me, and I concur with you in supposing it may not now be necessary to give any explanations on the subject in the...
3315Thomas Jefferson to John Laval, 30 September 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Aug. 23. was rec d on the 6 th inst, and I have so thus long waited to remit my balance, and of 13.97 endeavoring to get bills of the US. bank . it was not till the day before yesterday I could get them, for they are rarely seen in circulation in our country situation. I now inclose 15.D in that currency. should you meet with one of Planche ’s lexicons Gr. & Fr. remember me. I...
3316From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Lewis Bankhead, 27 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed will, I presume, inform you that all are well at Edgehill. the family will remove to Monticello on the 9th. or 10th. of March. I am in hopes to join them, about the 15th. or 16th. I imagine you will be in motion by that time, the roads permitting. Would it not be better for you, instead of going by Fredericksburg, to find the best road to Anderson’s bridge on the North Anna, which...
3317From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Claiborne, 1 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Just returned from a journey of 3. or 4. months I have been immersed in such a mass of writing that it has been impossible for me sooner to acknolege your favors of June 9. 13. and 21. With respect to the quality of lands in general in the counties of Monongalia and Harrison, it is impossible for me to give any opinion, because I never was in that part of the country at all, nor nearer it than...
3318From Thomas Jefferson to Christopher Gore, 29 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The recess of Congress now permits me the honor of acknowleging the receipt of your favor of Sep. 27. together with the copies of the laws you were so kind as to send, for which be pleased to accept my thanks. Our collection now stands thus. The only chasm in this seems to be from 1772. to 1780. to which I will continue to ask the attention you are so kind as to promise, as occasions arise...
3319From Thomas Jefferson to Barré, 13 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour of receiving your favor of the 13th. of December, and having never been able to obtain an answer from the painter in America on the subject of Genl. Washington’s picture, I have determined to permit it to be copied. I have therefore made the first offer to M. de Thevenard by a letter to him which accompanies this. I have written it in English, because you will be so good as to...
3320From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 29 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Can mr Gallatin enable Th:J. yet to give to the Senate the information they asked respecting the paiment of the Detroit militia in Detroit bills? NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
3321Dissenting Opinion on the Little Sarah, 8 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I am against the preceding opinion of the Secretaries of the Treasury and War, for ordering a battery to be erected on Mud-island, and firing on the Little Sarah, an armed vessel of the Republic of France. Because I am satisfied from what passed between Mr. Genet and myself at our personal interview yesterday, that the vessel will not be ordered to sail till the return of the President, which,...
3322Thomas Jefferson to Patrick Gibson, 22 February 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
After writing the inclosed letter of yesterday your’s of the 18 th came to hand, informing me of the proposed curtailments of the US. bank . until I recieve your answer to the inclosed I cannot make a correct estimate of my funds & engagements. yet certainly to meet the suddenness of the curtailment I must avail myself of the discount which Col o Nicholas supposes can be had, and which will...
3323From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson, 15 January 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter by the post is not yet come to hand, that by Mr. Beresford I received this morning. Your long silence had induced me almost to suspect you had forgotten me and the more so as I had desired you to write to me every week. I am anxious to know what books you read, what tunes you can play, and to receive specimens of your drawing. With respect to your meeting Mr. Simitiere at Mr....
3324From Thomas Jefferson to Anna Scott Jefferson Marks, 19 October 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Absence from my country, and unceasing occupations, have prevented me from attending not only to my own concerns, but to those of my friends, and have kept me equally uninformed of both. Without any particular acquaintance with your situation, I have thought it might not always be possible for you to command supplies of those comforts which habit and constitution may have rendered necessary to...
3325Proclamation Extending Building Regulations in the City of Washington, 1 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
By the President of the United States Whereas by the first article of the terms and conditions declared by the President of the United States on the 17th. day of October 1791 for regulating the materials and manner of buildings and improvements on the lots in the City of Washington it is provided “that the outer and party walls of all houses in the said City shall be built of brick or stone”...
3326From Thomas Jefferson to William Preston, 3 July 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The measures you have taken for the preservation of the Leadmines by calling in the militia of Montgomery Washington and Botetourt are as wise as could have been advised, and as effectual as, in the present State of things, can be administered. The distress of the Western Frontier is much too general to confine Crocket’s battalion to a single part. It is indispensably necessary that he proceed...
3327From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 12 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Nathaniel Ewing of Pensylvania to be Reciever of public monies at Vincennes. RC ( ViU ); addressed: “The Secretary of State”; written on verso of an address sheet in John Barnes’s hand: “The President, of the United States.” PoC ( DLC ). Notation in SJL : “Ewing.” Nathaniel Ewing had been recommended to Gallatin by John Badollet, the recently appointed register of the land office at Vincennes...
3328From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 16 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you by yesterday’s post. The present is merely to avail myself of a private conveiance which occurs to London to send you my American dispatches and pray you to forward them by the first safe conveiance to New York preferably to any other port. Vessels going to Philadelphia have to go up the river, a navigation of many days. Those going to Boston expose us to as long an intermediate...
3329From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Carrington Cabell, 19 January 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I percieve that to the bill concerning the University an amendmt is proposed for suspending interest a certain number of years. you are sensible we could not propose to persons in foreign countries to break up, and abandon their prospects there and come here on compensations of temporary continuance only, which at the expiration of the suspension of interest would leave them without resource...
3330List of Groceries for Monticello, 6 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Coffee 50 lb. 100. lb white powdered sugar 6. loaves loaf do. single refined 6. lb. young hyson. 10. lb pearl barley 25. lb rice 25. lb crackers 2. gross of porter. Feb. 6. 1803. desired mr Barnes to forward the above to Monticello MS ( ViU : Edgehill-Randolph Papers); in TJ’s hand; on scrap of paper, with miscellaneous calculations by TJ.
3331From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 28 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I returned hither the day before yesterday & found your two letters of the 15th. I am much pleased with the expectation of mr Thompson’s continuance in office in the Orleans land office. the appointment of Robert Sargent as 2d. mate to the revenue cutter of Delaware is approved. on the subject of the negociation for the Floridas not one word further than is known to you has been recieved. you...
3332From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 23 February 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved with great pleasure your favor on the subject of the Steam engine . tho’ deterred by the complexity of that hitherto known from making myself minutely acquainted with it, yet I am sufficiently acquainted with it to be sensible of the superior simplicity of yours, and it’s superior economy. I particularly thank you for the permission to communicate it to the Philosophical...
3333Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 8 July 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
It is now five and forty years since I have withdrawn from the practice of the law: I have but occasionally, within that period, read any thing on it’s subjects, have rarely reflected on them with any attention, or permitted myself to form opinions with any degree of confidence, still less to oppose these opinions to those of gentlemen now of that faculty, and in dayly familiarity with the...
3334From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 14 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
According to Genl. Gates’s request I transmit to your Excellency the inclosed copy of a letter I received from him this morning. That the enemy should meditate taking possession of Portsmouth in the manner they give out does not seem probable, as Sr. Henry Clinton under the present appearances would scarcely consent to spare men from New York; and that they should think of taking possession of...
3335Thomas Jefferson to William Lambert, 10 September 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of June 13. & July 23. have both been duly recieved, & I am happy to find that you have been so well & successfully occupied in fixing a first meridian for our country. you will be requited by merited fame, even should no emolument more solid result from it. I have attended with interest to the methods you have adopted for obtaining correctness in the result; & concieving them to...
3336Notes on the Legitimacy of the French Government, with Addendum, [18–19] November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Nov. [18–19] 92. Hamilton called on me to speak about our furnis[hing] supplies to the French colony of St. Domingo. He expressed his opinion that we ought to be cautious and not go too far in our application of money to their use, lest it should not be recognised by the mother country. He did not even think that some kinds of government they might establish could give a sufficient sanction. I...
3337Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Wheaton, 26 January 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the information respecting the impressment of mr Johnson by Childers . Johnson is a tenant of mine, a very honest man, and usually employed by me in carrying my produce to market. this operation has been delayed by his detention, but whether to my injury or not, I do not yet know. it was certainly highly wrong in mr Childers to assume the public name and authority in committing...
3338From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 13 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to procure for me from the clerk of the high court of Chancery a copy of the decree of Jefferson v. Henderson which was given by mr Wythe three or four years ago, and inclose it to me? as I have occasion immediately for an authentic copy . I am in hopes your business will permit you to come and pass some time with us at Monticello in August or September, where we shall...
3339From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Clarke, 22 October 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Having occasion to make a considerable paiment immediately I send the bearer Jupiter, a trusty servant, to recieve whatever money may be lying for me in Staunton. any sum which you can furnish will be acceptable, and will be safely brought by him. be so good as to let it be in cash, & not in paper which nobody here recieves. I am with esteem Dear Sir Your most obedt. servt PrC ( MHi ); at foot...
3340From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 10 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I really think Cross ought to be immediately removed: the clearance in our possession is evidence enough of the fact. but are we provided with a successor. Hook & Reed should I think be called on to shew cause why they should not be removed. can there not be appeals from the decision of that judge? I propose to appoint Benjamin Harrison Comr. of loans for Virginia if you approve of it, &...
3341Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton, 23 May 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
Our river has been up so that I could not ford it to visit the Shadwell mills till yesterday. I found that there was not a single boat up, but that some are expected to-day and the miller promised he would send off 2. boatloads of flour tomorrow, and that the rest should follow within a few days. there are between 250. & 300 Barrels still to go. as soon as I know that the 2. boat loads are...
3342From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 9 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night the inclosed petition from the Walleboght company to build a bridge across the pond of our navy yard at New York, to which they ask a prompt answer. will you be so good as to state to me your opinion to enable me to answer them. in general I think it just and useful for the General government to give all possible facilities to state accomodation. I would consider too the...
3343From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Donald, 18 November 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Often sollicited by persons on this side the water to enquire for their friends in America about whose fate they are incertain, I can only hand on their requests to my friends in America. The inclosed letter from the Chevalier de Sigougne desires some enquiry after his brother whom he supposes to have settled at Todd’s bridge. As this is within your reach, I must refer the request to your...
3344From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Burke, 15 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 5th. covering a draught of Mr. Clay’s for 106,775 D. came safely to hand last night. I am sorry that Mr. Clay adopts this method of negotiating money claims on our treasury which is not and I fear will not again be in a condition to answer his draughts with any kind of punctuality which might justify his drawing and negotiating in the mercantile way. In my letter to you of...
3345From Thomas Jefferson to John Armstrong of New York, 26 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
We find it of advantage to the public to ask of those to whom appointments are proposed, if they are not accepted, to say nothing of the offer, at least for a convenient time. the refusal cheapens the estimation of the public appointments and renders them less acceptable to those to whom they are secondarily proposed. the occasion of this remark will be found in a letter you will recieve from...
3346From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Newton, 23 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I duly recieved your favor of the 12th. inst. and thank you for the information respecting the receipt of a consignment of old Madeira wines. I will gladly take a pipe of the Brazil quality which you mention to be the best: and should hope a means of conveying it hither would occur. the price I presume I shall be able to remit by a bill on the Collector of your port. We [hear] nothing very...
3347Notes 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...
3348From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 6 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
In order to give to Congress the details necessary for their full information of the state of things between Spain & the US. I send them the communication & documents now inclosed. although stated to be confidential, that term is not meant to be extended to all the documents; the greater part of which are proper for the public eye. it is applied only to the message itself, & to the letters...
3349Thomas Jefferson to John Barnes, 17 February 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your fav or of the 7 th and in it the following certificates of stock in the name of Gen l Kosciuzko , to wit, D C US. Certificate N o 90. for 11,363. 63 six per cents of loan
3350From Thomas Jefferson to Robley Dunglison, 31 March 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Not knowing who is the Chairman of the Faculty for the present year, I must return the inclosed catalogue to yourself from whom I recieved it, as it needs explanations to enable the board of Visitors to act on it. for example. Not one of us knowing the German Alphabet, we must ask those titles to be written in English characters to enable us to read & act on them. where titles are written in...