3301From Thomas Jefferson to Connecticut Officers and Soldiers of the 12th Regiment, 28 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I accept with many thanks the kind expressions of the twelfth regiment of the militia of Connecticut towards myself personally, and with still greater satisfaction their declarations of attachment to our constitution. the principles you profess of peace abroad, tranquility at home, a faithful administration of the government, on it’s genuine principles of republicanism, and arms for it’s...
3302From Thomas Jefferson to Connecticut Republicans, 15 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Expressions of confidence from the respectable description of my fellow citizens, in whose name you have been pleased to address me , are recieved with that cordial satisfaction which kindred principles and sentiments naturally inspire. The proceedings which they approve were sincerely intended for the general good: and if, as we hope, they should in event produce it, they will be indebted for...
3303From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Conover, 23 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Doctr. Conover and his thanks for the memoir he has been so kind as to inclose him, and which he has read with satisfaction. it is always pleasing to see the discoveries in science applied to the advancement of the arts, or of the useful or ornamental purposes of life. he salutes Doctr. Conover with respect. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
3304Thomas Jefferson to C. & A. Conrad & Company, 24 April 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed account , having been accidentally mislaid, remained unattended to till I lately happened to lay my hand on it. having to remit a small sum to mr Foxall of Geo.town I joined the amount of this to his. calling to make the paiment to mr Rapine , he informed him I had paid the account in Feb. 1808. I find in fact that I paid him 12.D. on the 8 th of Feb. 1808. but as I observe the...
3305Thomas Jefferson to C. & A. Conrad & Company, 11 December 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 23 d of Nov. in answer to yours of the 13 th of that month . I soon after concluded to write to the President suggesting to him the expediency of his ordering Gov r Lewis’s two trunks from Nashville by the stage to Washington
3306Thomas Jefferson to C. & A. Conrad & Company, 23 November 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
On my return after an absence of a fortnight, I yesterday recieved your letter of the 13 th . Gov r Lewis had in his lifetime apprized me that he had contracted with you for the publication of his account of his expedition. I had written to him some time ago to know when he would have it ready & was expecting an answer when I recieved the news of his unfortunate end. James Neelly , the US....
3307From Thomas Jefferson to Francisco Solano Constâncio, 29 December 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I congratulate you Sir on your safe arrival in the US. and hope your passage has been as agreeable as the elements to which you were committed of wind and water could make it. I congratulate you also & especially on the regenern of your govmt and the prospect it exhibits of going thro’ it soberly and wisely. it is a debt which I owe to truth to say that in the course of a public life of some...
3308Circular Letter to United States Consular Agents, 29 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose to you the copy of a letter which I have had the honor of receiving from his Excellency M. de Calonne, one of his Majesty’s ministers, wherein he is pleased to communicate to me sundry regulations lately made for the encouragement of the commerce between France and the United States of America. The favorable footing on which American productions will now be received in the ports of...
3309Circular to Consuls and Vice-Consuls, 21 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Present appearances in Europe rendering a general war there probable, I am to desire your particular attention to all the indications of it, and on the first imminent symptoms of rupture among the maritime powers, to put our vessels on their guard. In the same event the patronage of our Consuls will be particularly requisite to secure to our vessels the rights of neutrality, and protect them...
3310Circular to Consuls and Vice-Consuls, 14 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Purposing to retire from my office at the close of our first constitutional period of four years, which takes place on the 3d. of March next, I am to beg the favor of you to direct your future public letters to ‘the Secretary of State for the U.S of America at Philadelphia’ by title and not by name, until that of my successor shall be known to you, to avoid the delay, risk and expence of their...
3311Circular to Consuls and Vice-Consuls, 31 May 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress having closed their session on the 8th. inst., I have now the honour to forward you a copy of the laws passed thereat. One of these, Chapter 24. will require your particular attention, as it contains such regulations relative to the Consular office as it has been thought proper to establish legislatively. With respect to the security required by the 6th. section , I would prefer...
3312Circular to Consuls and Vice-Consuls, 13 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
You will readily conceive that the union of Domestic with the Foreign affairs under the Department of State, brings on the head of this Department such incessant calls, not admitting delay, as oblige him to postpone whatever will bear postponing; hence, though it is important that I should continue to receive from time to time regular information from you of whatever occurs within your notice...
3313Circular to Certain Consuls and Vice-Consuls, 12 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The object of the present is chiefly to acknolege the receipt of your favors of Dec. 30. Apr. 10. June 10. and July 4. and to express our satisfaction with your attention to the cases of the ships Commerce and Jay. The US. Persevere in their line of peace with all nations, and will, we hope, by a just conduct to all, be enabled to preserve it. We think it best that our vessels should take...
3314[From Thomas Jefferson to B. Contée, 13 July 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 13 July 1785. Entry in SJL reads: “B. Contéee. Bayonne. See copy. By post (copy lost or mislaid).” Neither the copy that TJ “lost or mislaid” nor the RC has been found; see Contée’s letter of 18 July 1785 .]
3315From Thomas Jefferson to B. Contée, 16 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of July 18. to Dr. Franklin came to my hands the 1st. inst. As I knew mine of July 13. was then on the way to you no further answer to it was necessary. Your’s of July 30. came to hand on the 6th. instant. I immediately communicated it to Mr. Barclay our Consul general who happened to be at Paris. He thought with me that if you had made no express contract with the agent of the...
3316From Thomas Jefferson to the President of the Continental Board of War, 15 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 15 Jan. 1781. This letter is virtually identical in substance with the letters to Samuel Huntington and to Thomas Sims Lee of the same date, qq.v. FC ( Vi ); 2 p.; at head of text: “Governor Lee and President of the Board of War.”
3317From Thomas Jefferson to the Continental Board of War, 28 July 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
General Gates has written to me most pressingly for 1000 Tents. We have not a single Tent, nor is there stuff to be got within the State to make one. What we had were formerly lent to Colo. Finnie and have not been replaced. Our Militia went without a single Tent; and Porterfield’s Detachment carried but few. I think it my duty to state this matter to you as I am satisfied the Southern Army...
3318From Thomas Jefferson to Sherman Converse, 20 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly reciev d your favor of the 1 st asking my examination and opinion of the plan of mr Webster’s dictionary, of which you inclosed me a sample. but worn down with age, infirmity and pain my mind is no longer in a tone for such exercises. I can only therefore express my regret that I cannot be useful to you in that way and assure you of my respect and best wishes for it’s success. DLC...
3319From Thomas Jefferson to William Cooch, 23 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
In answer to the enquiries in your letter of the 14th I have to observe that the mill I mentioned to you is on the Rivanna river at a place called Shadwell in the maps of Virginia 6 miles below Charlottesville, and ¾ mile above Milton. this last is the head of navigation; but from my mill boats go down a sheet of deadwater to a short fall at Milton, where the load is transferred to the regular...
3320Thomas Jefferson to Amos J. Cook, 21 January 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Dec. 18. was exactly a month on it’s way to this place; and I have to thank you for the elegant and philosophical lines communicated by the Nestor of our revolution . whether the style or sentiment be considered, they were well worthy the trouble of being copied and communicated by his pen. nor am I less thankful for the happy translation of them. it adds another to the rare...
3321From Thomas Jefferson to George Cooke, 24 June 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I would willingly be useful to you in your proposed visit to Europe for improvement in your professional line were it in my power. but I know not that it is. I have overlived every personal acquaintance which I had on that side of the Atlantic. I think there is not a single one living. with yourself I have had no other than the visit of an hour you were so kind as to make me the last year. but...
3322Thomas Jefferson to John Cook, 21 May 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments and his thanks to M r Cook for the N o of mr Frend ’s Astronomical amusements of 1818. which he has been so kind as to send him . he has looked over it with pleasure, and considers it as an instructive publication for many who have not time to devote to a more serious study of the subject. he salutes mr Cook with respect. PoC ( MHi ); on verso of an...
3323From Thomas Jefferson to Louis Cook, 5 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I take you by the hand, and all the people of St. Regis within the limits of the United States, and I desire to speak to them through you. A great misunderstanding has taken place between the English & the U.S. and altho’ we desire to live in peace with all the world & unmolested, yet it is not quite certain whether this difference will end in peace or war. Should War take place, do you My...
3324Thomas Jefferson to William Cook, 9 May 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Mar. 31. came to hand about a week ago, and I have taken that time to look over such old papers as are of about the date of the transactions respecting mr Fry , and I am sorry that none of these contain his name or throw any light on his case. nor can my memory supply the defect. I well remember that a person of the name of Fry was in the service of my father at the time of his...
3325From Thomas Jefferson to Zebedee Cook, 26 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to communicate through you the enclosed answer to the representation which came to me under cover from you, & to add the assurances of my respect. Privately owned.
3326From Thomas Jefferson to Oliver Parsons, 14 February 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of Jan. 29. in which you are pleased to request a copy of my works to be deposited in your library. I have never published any work but the Notes on Virginia, of which I have but a single copy, and they are now very rarely to be found. all other writings of mine have been of an official character, and are only to be found among the public documents of the times...
3327From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 27 August 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Your affectionate letter, my dear Ellen, of the 1 st inst. came to hand in due time. the assurances of your love, so feelingly expressed, were truly soothing to my soul, and none were ever met with warmer sympathies. we did not know, until you left us, what a void it would make in our family. imagination had illy sketched it’s full measure to us: and, at this moment, every thing around serves...
3328From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 5 June 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
A word to you, my dearest Ellen, under the cover of mr Coolidge’s letter. I address you the less frequently, because I find it easier to write 10 letters of business, than one on the intangible affections of the mind. were these to be indulged as calls for writing letters to express them, my love to you would engross the unremitting exercises of my pen. I hear of you regularly however, thro’...
3329From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 1 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I am afraid I shall be bankrupt in my epistolary account with Anne & yourself. however the tide of business, like that of the ocean, will wait for nobody. I send for Cornelia a little poem, the grasshopper’s ball, to begin her collection. the yankee story is for yourself. thank Mary for her letters, but tell her it is written in a cypher of which I have not the key. she must therefore tell it...
3330From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 6 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved your letter on the subject of my plants and will now explain to you what they were, tho’ I cannot say what was in each box or pot particularly. Savory. a dead plant, it’s leaves very aromatic: a little resembling thyme my dependance is that it’s seeds are shed on the earth in the box & will come up. Arbor vitae. a small evergreen tree, in a small pot. Ice-plant. not entirely...
3331From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 14 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 11th. is recieved, and is the best letter you have ever written me because it is the longest and fullest of that small news which I have most pleasure in recieving. with great news I am more than surfieted from other quarters, and in order that your letters may not be shortened by a bad pen of which you complain, I have got a pen for you which will be always good, never...
3332From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 19 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have nothing better to send you than an old song, but indeed I could send you nothing better. it was much in vogue when I was of your age, & has lost nothing of it’s pathos by time. it shews the wonderful sources of comfort which open themselves to every condition of man. I have not heard from the family since I left them at Monticello, but I always hope the next post will bring me a letter....
3333From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 19 March 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 8 th was recieved the day before yesterday, and as the season for engrafting is passing rapidly by I will not detain the apple-cuttings for mr Gray, until I may have other matter for writing a big letter to you. I send a dozen cuttings, as much as a letter can protect, by our 1 st mail, and wish they may retain their vitality until they reach him. they are called the...
3334From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 26 November 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter has been written near a fortnight and has laid by me awaiting a pacotille which your Mama was making up of some things omitted to be sent to you with those so unfortunately lost. that is now made up and will be immediately forwarded to Richmond to the care of Col o Peyton. Privately owned.
3335From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 15 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
This is our postday, and I have been so engaged that the hour of dinner & company are arriving before I could begin a letter to you. I shall therefore merely say we are all well, & I hope we shall hear to-night that all are well at Edgehill. tell your Mama, while you kiss her for me, that Rigden has returned & delivered me her watch neatly done, which will be sent by your papa. I send you...
3336Thomas Jefferson to Ellen W. Randolph (Coolidge), 14 March 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been, my dear Ellen, without subject for a letter to you until one has been furnished by my the sale of my tobacco. in this you also will feel somewhat of interest, inasmuch as it enables me to replenish your moyens de jouissance , by remitting to mr Barnes 100.D. for you. I do this by the present mail , and have chosen his cover because I thought it would go safer in that way; and...
3337From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 25 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s & your Mama’s letters of the 20th. are recieved. tell her I will take care of her accounts with mrs Madison. I thank you for your care of my wines. I will endeavor to send bottles for the two doubtful casks into which you have drawn a part. I put a letter from Jefferson to your Mama into your Papa’s newspaper packet which went by the stage yesterday. yours to him shall be immediately...
3338From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 14 November 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of Oct. 13. to mr Coolidge, I gave an account of the riot we had had at the University, and of it’s termination. you will both of course be under anxiety till you know how it has gone off?—with the best effects in the world. having let it be understood, from the beginning, that we wished to trust very much to the discretion of the Students themselves for their own government. with...
3339From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 5 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter was safely delivered to miss Forrest who was here yesterday well. I thank heaven that the 4th. of July is over. it is always a day of great fatigue to me, and of some embarrasments from improper intrusions and some from unintended exclusions. we have had such a week of hot weather as has never probably been known before in this country. my thermometer has been as follows Monday...
3340From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 24 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I learn with deep concern, my dearest Ellen, that the family has been unwell generally, that you have been ill, and your Mama indisposed. Anne informs me you are getting better but does not say whether your Mama is so also. yet, in the absence of your Papa, her health is doubly important because her care is necessary for you all. I hope this will find you all recovered. your friends here are...
3341From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 12 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Apr. 1. came to hand only yesterday. I presume you sent it a little too late for the post and that it has lain a week at Milton. you have guessed rightly both as to the pen and the Etc. I am entirely recovered from my head-ach. Congress have come to a resolution to adjourn on the 25th. of this month. I suppose I shall get away some time in the first week in May. what particular...
3342From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 24 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 10th. did not get here till the 19th. and this is the first post-day since that for answering it. I am afraid that sending your letters a few minutes too late, only arrive at Milton after the departure of the post & lie there a week. I am very doubtful that something like this must have happened with the letters of the 16th. if any were then written, as they ought to have...
3343From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 10 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
To answer the question in your letter of the 4th. I must observe that neither the number of the fine arts, nor the particular arts entitled to that appellation have been fixed by general consent. many reckon but five Painting, sculpture, architecture, music & poetry. to these some have added Oratory, including, within that, Rhetoric which is the art of style & composition. others again, add...
3344From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 23 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I am several letters in your debt, but I am in hopes that age and occupation will privilege me against your counting letter for letter rigorously with me. the loss of your geraniums shall be replaced. I have this day planted a sprig in a small & very portable pot of earth. you give a bad account of the patriotism of the ladies of Williamsburg who are not disposed to submit to the small...
3345From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 12 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you some poetry, but am not sure whether I may not have sent you the same pieces before. my letters to your Mama will have informed you of my having been indisposed with a swelled face. it rose, suppurated, and has left me with a hard swelling still on the jawbone, which however I am in hopes will go down. it still confines me to the house for fear cold should affect it. otherwise I am...
3346Thomas Jefferson to Ellen W. Randolph (Coolidge), 16 January 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I confess, my dearest Ellen , you have reason to think I have too long neglected the acknolegement of your letter of Dec. 12. which was 10 days on it’s passage. but negligence has not been the cause of this tardy answer. I have waited in daily expectation of remitting you at the same time the money for the busts of the President and of mr Madison , which I will gladly take. the fact is that...
3347From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 21 May 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Miss Eleanor W. Randolph to Th: Jefferson D. 1805. May 21. To a letter which ought to be written once in every 3. weeks, while I am here, to wit from Jan. 1. 1805. to this day, 15. weeks 5. Cr. Feb. 23. By one single letter of this day’s date 1 Balance due from E. W. Randolph to Th:J. Letters 4 5 So stands the account for this year, my dear Ellen, between you and me. unless...
3348From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 8 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I believe it is true that you have written me 2. letters to my one to you. whether this proceeds from your having more industry or less to do than myself I will not say. one thing however I will say that I most sincerely wish to be with you all, and settle the point vivâ voce (if you do not understand these two Latin words, you must lay Jefferson’s Latin under contribution that you may know...
3349From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 20 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letter to you stated the plants which had been sent, & I was in hopes, after you had been enabled to distinguish them, you would have informed me of their respective conditions. but no post has arrived for this week from Milton & consequently no letter from you. in about three weeks I hope to be with you, and then we shall properly be devoted to the garden. what has become of mrs...
3350From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 3 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
As you insist I shall write you one more letter before my departure this is to inform you that altho’ I have not entirely abandoned the hope of setting out on the 5th. yet I think it more probable I shall be detained to the 6th. so that if I do not catch you in bed on Sunday, expect it on Monday. Your’s affectionately MHi : Coolidge Collection.