6051From Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Ellicott, 15 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of the 9th. The President thinking it would be better that the outlines at least of the city, and perhaps of George-town should be laid down in the plat of the territory, I have sent it back to the Commissioners from whom it came, that you may do this. Suppose you were to consult them on the propriety of adding to the Eastern branch , the words ‘ or [ Anna ]...
6052Notes on the French Revolution, 15 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
1793. Jan. 15. M. Blacon, member from Dauphiné, of the 1st. National assembly of France is now here. He was one of those who met at my house in Paris when the Monarchical patriots (afterwards called Feuillants) and the Republican patriots (afterwards called Jacobins) were about to form a schism. At a dinner at Mr. Hammond’s to-day he recalls to my mind the names of all the members of both...
6053From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 15 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
On further consideration I have thought it may be as well to omit the proposition for making any addition however small to the foreign fund , till the next session of Congress, by which time it will be more evident whether it is necessary or not. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Sir your most obedt. & most humble servt PrC ( DLC ). Tr ( DLC ); 19th-century copy. Not recorded in...
6054Notes on John Adams and the French Revolution, [15 January 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 16. At a meeting of the board for the sinking fund, in a conversation after business was over, Mr. Adams declared that ‘men could never be governed but by force ’ that neither virtue prudence, wisdom nor any thing else sufficed to restrain their passions. That the first National convention of France had established a constitution, had excluded themselves from it’s administration for...
6055To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 16 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson finding the inclosed letter out of it’s place, suspects it may have escaped him when he sent the others to the President. lest that should have been the case he now sends it with his respects. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State; LB (photocopy), DLC:GW . Jefferson had laid the enclosure,...
6056From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 16 January [1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 2d. inst. is duly recieved, and in answer to your enquiries about the prospect of foreign demand for wheat I answer that it will be undoubtedly great. Something like a famine may be apprehended thro’ the greater part of France. Spain is buying largely. And I am assured from good authority that England will want a good deal. Her ports were opened to the reception of it for...
6057From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Gamble, 17 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Our mutual friend Colo. Bell was to pay me a sum of about 200. dollars and I think he said it would be through your channel. If he has taken any arrangements with you on the subject, I should be glad to recieve the remittance in any way most convenient. If he has not, I will take the liberty of troubling you to forward him this letter in order to avoid a delay which it would be convenient to...
6058From Thomas Jefferson to Aaron Burr, 20 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respectful compliments to Colo. Burr and is sorry to inform him it has been concluded to be improper to communicate the correspondence of existing ministers . He hopes this will, with Colo. Burr, be his sufficient apology. RC ( MWA ); addressed: “Colo. Burr.” Not recorded in SJL . The provenance of TJ’s first written communication to Aaron Burr (1756–1836), his...
6059From Thomas Jefferson to J. P. P. Derieux, 20 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 9th. Mine of the 4th. would reach you about five days after the date of yours, and consequently would shew you that your bill in Mr. Fenwick’s hands having been paid, all your funds transmitted by me through Colo. Gamble are free from that incumbrance. There remains nothing further to be done therefore than to wait till the sales here are closed, and...
6060From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Hanson, 20 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yesterday a letter from Mr. D. Hylton informing me that he has compleated the sale of my Elkhill lands to Doctor Taylor and Banks. He says ‘he has taken their bonds jointly and severally backed with the Greenbriar lands, all which patents with the several bonds are now in my possession, subject to your orders. In the mortgage or deed of trust for the Greenbriar lands, you have the...
6061From Thomas Jefferson to Daniel L. Hylton, 20 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 9th. inst. and am happy that the sale of Elkhill is at length compleated. I would at once renew the deed here, but that there exists no such law of Congress as you suppose which could make a record here effectual to pass lands in Virginia. There is I believe some law of Virginia allowing a considerable time for the probat of deeds executed out of the...
6062From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 21 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I received the day before yesterday your’s of the 9th. From an expression in that, as well as the preceding one, I fear you may not have received my letters which have been regular and constant once a week, except once when the post day was perceived to be changed. I then accomodated the day of my writing to the day of the departure of the Western post from Richmond.—I have received...
6063Enclosure: Instructions on Timber for Monticello, [ca. 21 January 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Scantling for the operations of 1793 10. Sleepers. 23. feet long: 10 Inches deep. 4. Inches thick. 30. do. 12. feet long. same depth and breadth. 17. do. 18. feet long. same depth and breadth. 10. do. 23. feet long } all these are to be triangular, and to be got in the manner pointed out on the next page. 30. do. 12. feet long 17. do. 18. feet long. 10. do.
6064American Philosophical Society’s Subscription Agreement for André Michaux’s Western Expedition, [ca. 22 January 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas Andrew Michaux, a native of France, and inhabitant of the United States has undertaken to explore the interior country of North America from the Missisipi along the Missouri, and Westwardly to the Pacific ocean, or in such other direction as shall be advised by the American Philosophical society, and on his return to communicate to the said society the information he shall have...
6065From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 22 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President the subscription paper he has prepared for enabling the Philosophical society to send Mr. Michaux on the mission through the country between the Missisipi and South sea, and he will have that of waiting on him tomorrow morning on the subject. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the U.S.”; endorsed by Tobias Lear. PrC (...
6066From Thomas Jefferson to John Wilkes Kittera, 24 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter of Nov. 5 to Mr. Chambers, which was directed to him at Mercersburg and that of Dec. 12. addressed according to his particular directions, and both sent by post, having miscarried, I take the liberty of observing to him, through you, that if he wishes to secure a right to his discovery, relative to firearms, in America, it will be necessary for him to petition the Patent board for...
6067From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 25 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Legaux called on me this morning to ask a statement of the experiment which was made in Virginia by a Mr. Mazzei for the raising vines and making wine, and desired I would address it to you. Mr. Mazzei was an Italian and brought over with him about a dozen laborers of his own country, bound to serve him 4. or 5. years. We made up a subscription for him of £2000. sterling, and he began his...
6068From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 26 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I received two days ago your’s of the 16th. You were never more mistaken than in supposing you were too long on the prattle &c. of little Anne. I read it with quite as much pleasure as you write it. I sincerely wish I could hear of her perfect reestablishment.—I have for some time past been under an agitation of mind which I scarcely ever experienced before, produced by a check on my purpose...
6069From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Fay, 27 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have not for a long time been so much mortified as on calling at your lodgings to-day, for the third time, to be told you had left town. The first and second time of my calling, you were gone out, as I unfortunately happened to be when you were so good as to call on me. The constant confinement to which my office holds me prevented my repeating my early efforts to have the pleasure of seeing...
6070George Washington to the Commissioners of the Federal District, 31 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had under consideration Mr. Hallet’s plans for the capitol , which undoubtedly have a great deal of merit. Doctor Thornton has also given me a view of his. These last come forward under some very advantageous circumstances. The grandeur, simplicity, and beauty of the exterior, the propriety with which the apartments are distributed, and economy in the mass of the whole structure, will I...
6071George Washington to the Commissioners of the Federal District, 31 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The regular course which the affairs of the Federal city are likely to move in by the appointment of a Superintendant, who may relieve you from details, and from all sacrifices of time except your periodical meetings, enables me now to proceed, on more certain grounds to the subject of compensation. That a proper compensation should be made you must undoubtedly be the public expectation as...
6072Minutes of a Conference with the Illinois and Wabash Indians, [1–4 February 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Feb. 1. 1793. The President having addressed the Chiefs of the Wabash and Illinois Indians, John Baptist De Coin , chief of Kaskaskia, spoke as follows. Father. I am about to open to you my heart. I salute first the Great Spirit, the master of life, and then you. I present you a black pipe on the death of our chiefs who have come here and died in your bed. It is the calumet of the dead. Take...
6073To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 1 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to send to the President the speech of De Coin, written at length from his notes, very exactly. he thinks he can assure the President that not a sentiment delivered by the French interpreter is omitted, nor a single one inserted which was not expressed. it differs often from what the English Interpreter delivered, because he varied much from the other who alone was...
6074From Thomas Jefferson to Daniel Carroll, 1 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Doctr. Thornton’s plan of a Capitol has been produced, and has so captivated the eyes and judgment of all as to leave no doubt you will prefer it when it shall be exhibited to you; as no doubt exists here of it’s preference over all which have been produced, and among it’s admirers no one is more decided than him whose decision is most important. It is simple, noble, beautiful, excellently...
6075From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 1 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to send to the President the speech of De Coin, written at length from his notes , very exactly. He thinks he can assure the President that not a sentiment delivered by the French interpreter is omitted, nor a single one inserted which was not expressed. It differs often from what the English Interpreter delivered, because he varied much from the other who alone was...
6076To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 2 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose for the President’s notice a small pamphlet sent to Th: J. by the author, containing some ideas which may merit attention, in due time, at the Federal city. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State; LB (photocopy), DLC:GW . The letter-book copy is mistakenly dated “2d March...
6077From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Clarkson, 2 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
It has been by my direction that my servant has offered the horse for sale, which is the subject of your letter . He had told me yesterday that he had found a purchaser, but I did not enquire who it was. At present, presuming, if the purchase is either for yourself or a friend, you may be glad of information respecting the horse which may be relied on, I take the liberty of mentioning that I...
6078From Thomas Jefferson to C. W. F. Dumas, 2 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Taking for granted that before the arrival of the vessel by which this goes, Mr. Short will have left the Hague on a temporary mission to Madrid, I have taken the liberty of addressing to you a packet of plans of the city of Washington on the Potomak, with a desire that they may be exhibited (not for sale) but in such shops, houses, or other places, where they may be most seen by those...
6079From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington Greene, 2 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Peale the bearer of this letter proposing to go to Georgia to collect curiosities in Natural history, for his father’s Museum, now become considerable and worthy of encouragement, I take the liberty of recommending himself and his object to you. If I did not mistake symptoms in an early part of your life, your dispositions and your attention to these subjects will be in his favor. Permit...
6080From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 2 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose for the President’s notice a small pamphlet sent to Th:J. by the author, containing some ideas which may merit attention, in due time, at the Federal city. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the U.S.”; endorsed erroneously by Tobias Lear as a letter of 2 Mch. 1793, but corrected in another hand. Tr ( Lb in same, SDC ). Not recorded in...
6081From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 3 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter to my daughter, of the last week, I suggested to her that a possibility had arisen that I might not return home as early as I had determined. It happened unfortunately that the attack made on me in the newspapers came out soon after I began to speak freely and publicly of my purpose to retire this spring, and, from the modes of publication, the public were possessed of the former...
6082To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Jefferson, 4 February 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
The details respecting the Sum of 66,000 ₶., which are the subject of Mr. Short’s letter of Nov. 2d. 1792; and of yours of the 1st instant, and which he observes still remains in the hands of Mr. Grand, are as follow. On the 14th. of February 1785, Congress appropriated a sum of 80,000 Dollars, for the purpose of effecting Treaties with the Barbary States. The missions of Mr. Barclay to...
6083From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Hamilton, 4 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The details respecting the Sum of 66,000₶, which are the subject of Mr. Short’s letter of Nov. 2d. 1792, and of yours of the 1st. instant, and which he observes still remain in the hands of Mr. Grand, are as follow. On the 14th. of February 1785, Congress appropriated a sum of 80,000 Dollars, for the purpose of effecting Treaties with the Barbary States. The missions of Mr. Barclay to Morocco,...
6084II. Second State of the Report on Commerce, [before 5–after 23 February 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of State, to whom was referred by the House of Representatives the Report of a committee on the written message of the President of the United States of the 14th. of February 1791, with instruction to report to Congress the nature and extent of the privileges and restrictions of the commercial intercourse of the United States with foreign Nations, and the measures which he should...
6085From Thomas Jefferson to Tench Coxe, 5 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Mr. Coxe and his thanks for his Notes, which are exactly in the way he wished. But Mr. Coxe having omitted to return the report, Th:J cannot as yet understand the whole of them. He will be glad to receive the report now, and devote this evening to the examination of them, and would be happy to see Mr. Coxe tomorrow morning at the hour he proposes, as...
6086To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 7 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to return the Indian proceedings with the addition proposed, and to mention to the President that he did not send him in writing the proposition for enquiring into their boundaries, because having spoken to Genl Knox on the subject it was found that their claims had been perfectly explained to Genl Putnam. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59,...
6087Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on a Conversation with Washington, 7 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
I waited on the President with letters & papers from Lisbon. after going through these I told him that I had for some time suspended speaking with him on the subject of my going out of office because I had understood that the bill for intercourse with foreign nations was likely to be rejected by the Senate in which case the remaining business of the department would be too inconsiderable to...
6088Notes of a Conversation with George Washington, 7 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Feb. 7. 1793. I waited on the President with letters and papers from Lisbon. After going through these I told him that I had for some time suspended speaking with him on the subject of my going out of office because I had understood that the bill for intercourse with foreign nations was likely to be rejected by the Senate in which case the remaining business of the department would be too...
6089From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 7 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to return the Indian proceedings with the addition proposed, and to mention to the President that he did not send him in writing the proposition for enquiring into their boundaries, because having spoken to Genl. Knox on the subject it was found that their claims had been perfectly explained to Genl. Putnam. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the...
6090To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 8 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President a communication from mister Ternant with it’s translation. he will have that of waiting on him on the subject tomorrow. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; AL (letterpress copy), DLC : Jefferson Papers; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State; LB
6091From Thomas Jefferson to Tench Coxe, 8 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Mr. Coxe and incloses a letter from which he gets a hint which may serve as a clue to the unfavorable distinction made by the British as to our vessels. He suspects that they permit vessels belonging to other countries, tho’ not built in those countries to carry to Engld. the produce of those countries. They certainly did this for us till lately. In...
6092From Thomas Jefferson to Tench Coxe, [on or before 8 February 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Mr. Coxe. He cannot find under what authority a Swedish built ship, for instance, bought by British subjects and navigated legally, can be employed between England and Sweden.—Is it that where the law uses the terms British , or British built ships, the former means any ships owned by British subjects ? If so, a Swedish ship bought by a British subject...
6093From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 10 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to submit to the judgment of the President the rough draught of the Report he has prepared on commerce. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); endorsed by Tobias Lear. Tr ( Lb in same, SDC ). Not recorded in SJL . The text sent to Washington, in the hand of George Taylor, Jr., with revisions made by TJ in response to comments he had solicited from Tench Coxe, is in DLC : TJ...
6094From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 11 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The hour of post is come and a throng of business allows me only to inform you we are well, and to acknolege the receipt of Mr. Randolph’s letter of Jan. 24. With hopes that you are all so accept assurances of constant love to you all from your’s my dear most affectionately RC ( NNP ); at foot of text: “Mrs. Randolph”; endorsed by Mrs. Randolph. PrC ( CSmH ). Tr ( ViU : Edgehill-Randolph...
6095To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 12 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
According to the desire you expressed the other day when speaking of the application of France for 3. millions of livres, I have the honour to inclose a statement of the Questions which appear to me to enter into the consideration of that application. after putting them on paper, I saw that some developements & observations would be necessary to explain their propriety & connection. these...
6096I. Statement of the American Debt to France, [ca. 12 February 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Loan of 18. Millns. 6. Millns. Interest payable 10. Millions Total due in Dollars. Payments made each year. Balance unpaid at end of each year. Principal payable Interest payable Principal payable Interest payable day of paiment Sep. 3. day of payment Jan. 1. day of payment Nov. 5. 1784. 900,000 300,000 1785. 900,000 300,000 }
6097II. Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 12 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
According to the desire you expressed the other day when speaking of the application of France for 3. millions of livres, I have the honour to inclose a statement of the Questions which appear to me to enter into the consideration of that application. After putting them on paper, I saw that some developements and observations would be necessary to explain their propriety and connection. These...
6098III. Questions on the Application of France, 12 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Questions arising on the application of France for 3. millions of livres to be sent in Provisions to France. I. 1. Has the Legislature furnished the money? 2. is that money in it’s place, or has it been withdrawn for other purposes? 3. if it has, should we not take the first proper occasion of rectifying the transaction by repaying the money to those for whom the law provided it? 4. is the...
6099IV. Observations on the Questions about the Application of France, 12 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I. The First question is Whether the application of the Executive of France for 3. millions of livres = 544,500 Doll. is to be complied with? But to be in condition to solve this, some preliminary Queries and Observations are necessary. Qu. Has the Legislature done their part, by providing the money? The act of 1790. Aug. 4. c.34. §.2. authorized the President to borrow 12. Millions of...
6100Circular to Foreign Ministers in the United States, 13 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The House of Representatives having referred to me to Report to them, the nature and extent of the privileges and restrictions on the Commerce of the united States with foreign nations, I have accordingly prepared a Report on that subject. Being particularly anxious that it may be exact in matters of fact, I take the liberty of putting into your hands, privately and informally , an extract of...