6001From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Donald, [23 November 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved duly with yo[ur favor Lackington’s ca]talogue, and now in consequence thereof[, seize a moment by] Mr. Morris to send you the inclosed [list, with a prayer that] you will send it to Lackington, re[ceive the books, and forward] them to me at this place. He will [pack them. The amount] would be about 12 guineas, were he to [have the whole un]sold. But it has usually happened, e[ven...
6002Enclosure: Lackington’s Catalogue for 1792, [23 November 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
£ s d 0– 4–6 859. Keith’s hist. of the Brit. plantns. in Virga. with maps neat. gilt. scarce. 4to. 3– 0–0 1843. Hume’s H. of Eng. 8.v. new. in a curious & very elegt. bindg. inlaid wth. maroc. silk headbands, registers &c. 8.V. 8vo. 1790 2–0 2147. Locke’s Collection of pieces. good copy. 8vo. 2–6 2149. Locke’s familr. Ires h. b. uncut. 1737. 8vo. 2–3 2150. Locke’s posthumous works. neat. 8vo....
6003From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 24 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of Aug. 29. acknowledging the reciept of your Nos. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. and informing you I was about setting out to Virginia, and should not again write to you till my return. Only one vessel has sailed from hence to Havre since my return and my notice of her departure was so short that I could not avail myself of it. Your Nos. 72. 73. 74. 75. 78. came here during my...
6004From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 25 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you a private letter on the 9th. inst. but the vessel was gone before it was ready. Therefore it goes now, and I have nothing to add on that subject, but that nothing more has past thereon. My last private letters before that were of Sep. 1. and Nov. 9. Tho it is long since I received your’s of Nov. 7. 1790. and Dec. 29. on the subject of our accounts, yet it is never till now that I...
6005From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 26 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Supposing that the first Consular convention agreed on with France, and not ratified by Congress, may explain as well as account for some articles in that which was last agreed on and ratified, I take the liberty of inclosing, for the members of the Senate, copies of the two conventions as they were printed side by side, to shew where they differed. These differences are not as great as were...
6006From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 26 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Questions to be considered of. I. As to France. Shall it be proposed to M. de Ternan, to form a treaty, ad referendum, to this effect. ‘The citizens of the U. S. and of France, their vessels, productions and manufactures shall be received and considered, each in all the dominions of the other, as if they were the native citizens, or the ships; productions or manufactures of that other. And the...
6007Proposed Treaty of Commerce with France, [26 November 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
The citizens of the U.S. and of France and of their dominions, their vessels, productions and manufactures, as well those raised by their industry from the sea, as from the soil shall be received and treated, each in all the dominions of the other, as if they were the native citizens, or the home built vessels, or the productions, or manufactures of the other. Saving that the duties payable on...
6008From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 27 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
By a letter recieved from Prince, I find that he has forwarded to the care of Mr. Brown in Richmond 4. bundles of trees for me, numbered as on the next leaf. I have written to Mr. Brown to forward them, and with this may get in time for you to understand the numbers before you plant them.—I have heard nothing of our post yet, tho’ I presume it began on the 15th. inst. as Mr. Davies notified...
6009From Thomas Jefferson to James Brown, 28 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
By a letter just recieved from Prince, the Nurseryman of Long island, I learn he has forwarded 4. bundles of trees for me to Richmond addressed to your care. The object of the present letter is to ask the favor of you to send them to Albemarle by my own waggon, if it is plying between that and Richmond at present. If not, then by any careful waggoner who will deliver them either at my house or...
6010From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael, 29 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 6th. instant by the way of Cadiz, sending the newspapers as usual. With the present we forward them to the present day, as also a pamphlet by Mr. Coxe in answer to Ld. Sheffeild, and a printed copy of the Census, now in the press, should it be ready in time. I wish it were possible to get for us the two Census’s taken in Spain by the Count d’Aranda and Count de Florida...
6011From Thomas Jefferson to George Hammond, 29 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
In recalling your attention to the Seventh article of the Definitive Treaty of Peace between the United States of America, and his Britannic majesty, wherein it was stipulated that ‘His Britannic majesty should, with all convenient speed, and without causing any destruction, or carrying away any negroes or other property of the American inhabitants, withdraw all his Armies, garrisons and...
6012From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 29 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of Aug. 23. acknoleging the reciept of your Nos. 19. 21. and 22. Since that I have recieved from 23. to 33. inclusive. In mine I informed you I was about setting out for Virginia and consequently should not write to you till my return. This opportunity by Capt. Wicks is the first since my return. The party which had gone at the date of my last, against the Indians North of...
6013From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Leiper, 29 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I was in hopes Capt Stratton would have brought the 6. hhds. of my tobo. which still remain at Richmond. But he is come without them. I had waited supposing that on his arrival I might have settled the whole purchase with you. I shall immediately order them by the first vessel without waiting for Stratton. For the present however I must ask the favor of you to furnish me with a thousand...
6014A Bill to Promote the Progress of the Useful Arts, [1 December 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
Be it Enacted by the Senate and Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that when any person shall have invented any new and useful art, machine, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement on any art, machine, or composition of matter, and shall desire to have an exclusive property in the same, he shall pay into the Treasury of the United States...
6015Plan of a Bill concerning Consuls, [1 December 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
The matter of the bill will naturally divide itself as follows. Preliminary observation. Nothing should be inserted in the bill which is fully and adequately provided for by the Convention with France; because weak magistrates may infer from thence that the parts omitted were not meant by the legislature to be enforced. Are not the 1st. 2d. 3d. sections of the printed bill objectionable in...
6016From Thomas Jefferson to James Somerville, 1 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to acknolege the receipt of your favour covering one of Keith’s pamphlets on Weights and measures, which contains a great deal of information on the subject. With my thanks be pleased to accept assurances of the regard with which I have the honor to be Sir Your most obedt. humble servt, PrC ( MHi ). Somerville’s letter of 22 Nov. 1791, recorded in SJL as received 22 Nov.1791, has not been...
6017From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 1 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President and sends him a draught of letters to Majr. L’Enfant and the Commissioners, prepared on a conference with Mr. Madison. Perhaps the former may be too severe. It was observed however, that tho’ the president’s sentiments conveyed to him thro’ Mr.Lear, were serious and ought to have produced an effect on him, he gave them the go-by in his...
6018From Thomas Jefferson to Pierce Butler, 2 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Mr. Butler, and incloses him the rough draughts of resolutions, believing Mr. Butler can better settle according to his own mind the manner of furnishing the money, either from his own reflection or on consultation with the Secy. of the Treasury. PrC ( DLC ). Entry in SJPL reads: “[Dec.] 2.Th:J. to Pierce Butler: draught of Resolution of Senate for...
6019From Thomas Jefferson to John Dobson, 4 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The credit which I was obliged to give on the sale of my tobo. of the year 1790. having put it out of my power to make any payment from that resource till now, I have reserved till now also the taking a review of our affairs. The assignment to yourself of my bond to Farrell & Jones for £500. sterl. principal and int. payable July 19. 1791. has added that demand to the former one you had...
6020From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 4 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
We are well here, tho’ still without news from Mr. Randolph or yourself, tho’ we have been eight weeks from Monticello. Maria was to have written to you to-day, but she has been so closely engaged in pasting paper together in the form of a pocket book that she has not been able. She has been constantly getting colds since she came here. I have put on board Capt Stratton a box with the...
6021From Thomas Jefferson to John Cleves Symmes, 4 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Sep. 17. has been duly recieved and laid before the President. He does not concieve that the constitution has given him any controul over the proceedings of the Judges, and therefore that his permission or refusal of absence from your district would be merely nugatory.—In the report which I made to the President on the subject of the public lands, and which he laid before the...
6022From Thomas Jefferson to John Dobson, 5 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The preceding letter was written when I was in Virginia and was taking the best measures in my power to make paiments to you. Blanks were left in it for the date and the sum to be remitted to you from hence, to be filled up on my arrival here, in October, when I expected to have found all my tobo. of 1790. arrived here. In this I was disappointed, but expecting it daily, I put off writing....
6023From Thomas Jefferson to George Hammond, 5 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Nov. 30. remains still unanswered because the clerks are employed in copying some documents on the subject of the treaty of peace which I wish to exhibit to you with the answer. In the meantime, as to that part of your letter which respects matters of commerce, the fear of misunderstanding it induces me to mention my sense of it and to ask if it be right. Where you are pleased to...
6024From Thomas Jefferson to Daniel L. Hylton, 5 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I find that Capt. Stratton is arrived without bringing the residue of my tobo. of last year’s growth, which therefore delays the settlement and paiment for the whole crop. I must entreat you my dear Sir to send off this residue by the first vessel coming to this port, as the early setting in of the winter gives reason to expect the river will be soon blocked up, and it would be a serious...
6025From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 5 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed memorial from the British minister on the case of Thomas Pagan, containing a complaint of injustice in the dispensations of law by the courts of Massachusets to a British subject, the President approves of my referring it to you to report thereon your opinion of the proceedings, and whether any thing, and what, can or ought to be done by the government in consequence thereof.—I am...
6026Memorandum of Conversation with José de Jaudenes, 6 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Don Joseph Jaudenes communicates verbally to the Secretary of State that his Catholic majesty has been apprised through the channel of the Court of Versailles of our sollicitude to have some arrangements made respecting our free navigation of the Missisipi, and a port thereon convenient for the deposit of merchandize of export and import for lading and unlading the sea and river vessels: and...
6027From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 9 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed information relative to ransom and peace with the Algerines, being newly come to hand, I take the liberty of communicating it to you, and through you to the Senate. It concurs in some facts and opinions with what we had before learnt thro other channels, and differs in some others, so as, on the whole, to leave us still in considerable uncertainty as to interesting points.—I have...
6028From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Barclay, 9 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
An opportunity offering by a vessel bound to Mogadore, I avail myself of it to send you a collection of the gazettes of the last three months. To these I add herein a passage from a paper of this morning giving news, which arrived in town last night, of the defeat of Genl. Sinclair by the Indians. This of course will oblige us to another campaign.—As nothing has happened since your departure...
6029Report on the Petition of Samuel Breck and Others, 9 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of State, to whom was referred by the House of Representatives the Petition of Samuel Breck and others, Proprietors of a sail-cloth Manufactory in Boston, praying that they may have the exclusive Privilege of using particular Marks for designating the Sail-Cloth of their Manufactory, has had the same under Consideration and thereupon REPORTS, That it would, in his Opinion,...
6030From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 11 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
We are still without any letters from Monticello since our departure. I received one yesterday from Mr. De Rieux of Nov. 15. in which however he does not mention the family at Monticello. I suppose that some irregularity of the post occasions this. I have never failed to write once a week, and Maria has written several times . Stratton did not sail till yesterday, so that by the time you get...
6031From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 11 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have given you the trouble of more reading on the subject of Major Lenfant’s letter, than you perhaps intended. I have done it from an apprehension that your mind might not be thoroughly satisfied whether he was not equally justifiable in the demolition of Mr. Carrol’s house, as in the demolition of trees and other obstacles, which he urges in his own justification. The truth is that without...
6032Enclosure: Observations on L’Enfant’s Letter, 11 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Observations on Majr. L’enfant’s letter of Dec. 7. 1791. to the President, justifying his demolition of the house of Mr. Carrol of Duddington. He says that ‘Mr. Carrol erected his house partly on a main street, and altogether on ground to which the public had a more immediate title than himself could claim.’ When blaming Mr. Carrol then he considers this as a street; but when justifying...
6033From Thomas Jefferson to George Hammond, 12 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of inclosing you an extract of a letter from a respectable character, giving information of a Mr. Bowles lately come from England into the Creek country, endeavouring to excite that nation of Indians to war against the United States and pretending to be employed by the government of England. We have other testimony of these his pretensions and that he carries them much...
6034Enclosure: Extract of Letter concerning W. A. Bowles, 12 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
A vessel arrived here from New Providence with certain accounts of a Mr. Bowles being there, having lately arrived from London in company with five Indians, and British goods to amount of upwards thirty thousand pounds sterling, said to be delivered as presents (by Bowles) to the Indians in this quarter from the goverment of Great Britain. That the said Bowles was actually to sail four days...
6035Report on Matters for Negotiation with Great Britain, 12 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The discussions which are opening between Mr. Hammond and our government, have as yet looked towards no objects but those which depend on the treaty of peace. There are however other matters to be arranged between the two governments, some of which do not rest on that treaty. The following is a statement of the whole of them. 1. The Western posts. 2. The Negroes carried away. 3. The debt of...
6036From Thomas Jefferson to Christopher Gore, 13 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Having received from the British Minister here, a Memorial on the Case of Thomas Pagan, a British Subject, supposed to have been wrongfully condemned and imprisoned by Authority of the Courts of Massachusetts, I take the liberty of asking you to procure for me a complete Copy of the Record of Proceedings in this Case. I understand there has been something done by the Legislature and Executive,...
6037From Thomas Jefferson to George Hammond, 13 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have laid before the President of the United States the letters of Nov. 30. and Dec. 6. with which you honored me, and in consequence thereof, and particularly of that part of your letter of Dec. 6th. where you say that you are fully authorised to enter into a negociation for the purpose of arranging the commercial intercourse between the two countries, I have the honour to inform you that I...
6038From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 13 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose you the copy of a Letter received from Don Joseph de Viar one of his Catholic Majesty’s commissioners here, stating the claim of Don Joseph Torino for a sum of money paid by the Count de Espilles for our captives at Algiers, and on account of our Commissioner Mr. Lamb who was sent there. You will be pleased to consider this as a part of the debt, which in my letter of July 13th. of...
6039From Thomas Jefferson to José Ignacio de Viar, 13 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I was not unapprised that monies had been advanced by the government of Spain, or some of it’s Officers, for our captives at Algiers, nor had I been inattentive to it: but no account, nor any specific demand on that subject had come to my knowlege; and finding for some time past the utter impossibility of getting letters either to or from Mr. Carmichael, I had been obliged to adopt a...
6040From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 13 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President of the U.S. and sends him the letter he has prepared for Mr. Hammond relative to his Commercial commission. He also incloses the rough draught of the one he has prepared on the subject of the treaty of peace, with the documents he proposes to communicate in support of the facts. The 1st. of these (the Substance of the Conference &c.) is...
6041From Thomas Jefferson to Nathaniel Barrett, 15 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
In answer to your favor of the 6th. inst. I take the liberty of mentioning to you that the consulates of Lisbon and Cadiz, have both of them been for some time otherwise destined, tho’ not yet named to; and consequently that Mr. Appleton cannot be appointed to either. I had not answered his letters on this subject, because were I to answer one, I must answer every application of this nature...
6042From Thomas Jefferson to the Governors of Georgia and South Carolina, 15 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you an authenticated copy of the Articles agreed on between the Governor of East Florida and Mr. Seagrove acting for the United States by order of the President, on the subject of fugitive negroes; and to be with sentiments of the most perfect esteem and respect Your Excellency’s Most obedient & most humble Servt. PrC ( DLC ); in Remsen’s hand; at foot of text: “His...
6043From Thomas Jefferson to George Hammond, 15 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to acknolege the honor of your letter of Nov. 30. and to express the satisfaction with which we learn that you are instructed to discuss with us the measures which reason and practicability may dictate for giving effect to the stipulations of our treaty yet remaining to be executed. I can assure you on the part of the United States, of every disposition to lessen difficulties, by passing...
6044From Thomas Jefferson to Tench Coxe, 16 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Mr. Coxe and returns him his book with thanks, finding it is the same which he already possessed.—The account of port charges at Port-au-Prince on the Sally of Philada., cannot be used in comparison, because her tonnage is not mentioned.—There is no account of charges in any port of the English West Indies.—Also, in stating those in the French W....
6045From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 16 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President and sends a sketch of such a message as he thinks might accompany the statement from the Secretary at war. He does not know whether the President intended that an estimate of the next years operations should accompany it. But he thinks it a proper occasion to bring forward the preparations for the next year, and that it forms the safest...
6046Enclosure: Draft Message on Western Defense, 16 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Gentlemen of the Senate The pacific measures which were adopted for establishing peace between the U.S. and the North Western Indians, having proved ineffectual, and the military operations which thereon became necessary, tho’ successful in the first instances, being otherwise in the last as was stated to you in my communication of instant, it behoves us to look forward in time to the further...
6047From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 18 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I am obliged to trouble you in the following affair. Doctor Walker, in his account against my father’s estate, omitted to credit a sum of £200. paid him Aug. 31. 1766. by Kippen & co. on account of the estate, and debited in their account against the estate. It appeared that he had credited the estate another sum of £200. from Kippen & co. as received 1761. March. and it was suggested that...
6048Report on Sale of Lands on Lake Erie, 19 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of state, to whom was referred, by the President of the United States, a letter from the Governor of Pennsylvania with the documents therein mentioned, on the subject of certain lands on Lake Erie, having had the same under consideration, thereupon REPORTS That Congress, by their resolution of June 6. 1788. directed the Geographer general of the United States to ascertain the...
6049From Thomas Jefferson to Adam Lindsay, 20 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 4th. inst. came duly to hand as did also the 3. boxes of candles by capt. Johnston. I shall, as you desire, await the remaining 110 ℔ to remit you the cost of the whole in one bill. I shall thank you to keep in mind my request for the Hughes’s crab cyder of the best quality. It is in high esteem here. I rejoice to hear of the daily increase of Norfolk, being satisfied that...
6050From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 20 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson having obtained a copy of the statement of the affair between Pennsylva. and Virginia as made by the delegates in the Virginia assembly from the county where it happened, has the honor to inclose it to the President. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); endorsed by Washington: “From The Secy of State 20th. Decr. 1791 State of the dispute between Virginia and Pennsylvania.” Not recorded in...