91Memoranda on the Connecticut-Pennsylvania Boundary Dispute, [17 October 1775?] (Jefferson Papers)
Connecticut is bounded Westward 1. by the N. W. line of Virginia. 2. by the Proviso in the Plymouth grant in favr. of the Southern colony. 3. by the decision of Nicholson & al. pa. 14. declard Western boundary , to which Connecticut assented. 4. by the grant of Pensylvania. N ( DLC ). These notes on the protracted dispute between Pennsylvania and Connecticut over the Wyoming Valley are...
92From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 24 October 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last, we have nothing new from England or from the camps at either Cambridge or St. John’s. Our eyes are turned to the latter place with no little anxiety, the weather having been uncommonly bad for troops in that quarter, exposed to the inclemencies of the sky without any protection. Carleton is retired to Quebec, and though it does not appear he has any intimation of Arnold’s...
93From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 31 October 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
We have nothing new from England or the camp before Boston. By a private letter this day to a gentleman of Congress from General Montgomery we learn that our forces before St. John’s are 4000. in number besides 500. Canadians the latter of whom have repelled with great intrepidity three different attacks from the fort. We apprehend it will not hold out much longer as Monsr. St. Luc de la Corne...
94From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 7 November 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
We have no late intelligence here except of the surrender of Chambly, with 90. prisoners of war, 6½ tons of powder, 150 stands of arms and some other small matters. The acquisition of this powder we hope has before this made us masters of St. John’s, on which Montreal and the upper parts of St. Laurence will of course be ours. The fate of Arnold’s expedition we know not as yet. We have had...
95From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 21 November 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
After sealing my last letter to you we received an account of the capture of St. John’s which I wrote on the letter. What I there gave you was a true account of that matter. We consider this as having determined the fate of Canada. A Committee of Congress is gone to improve circumstances so as to bring the Canadians into our Union. We have accounts of Arnold as late as Octob. 13. All well and...
96From Thomas Jefferson to John Randolph, 29 November 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to give you the melancholy intelligence of the death of our most worthy Speaker which happened here on the 22d of the last month. He was struck with an Apoplexy, and expired within five hours. I have it in my power to acquaint you that the successes of our arms have corresponded with the justice of our cause. Chambly and St. John’s have been taken some weeks ago, and in them the whole...
97From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, [ca. 10 December 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
De rebus novis, ita est. One of our armed vessels has taken an English storeship coming with all the implements of war (except powder) to Boston. She is worth about £30,000 sterling as General Washington informs us, and the stores are adapted to his wants as perfectly as if he had sent the invoice. They have also taken two small provision vessels from Ireland to Boston; a forty gun ship blew...
98Memorandum concerning British Forts in the West, 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
there is a bar off Presque isle which prevents large vessels coming near the shore. distance from Pittsbgh to Cayahoga by land 150 miles. There are some morasses on the road, but may be made good for carriages, cayahoga is a deep creek at the dryest season. But the mouth is barred as Presque isle is. in a hard winter they travel on the ice from Cayahoga to Sandusky & Detroit, & slays might go...
99Militia Return as County Lieutenant, 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Capt Orl[ando] Jeremiah Nichols Clear Jones’s Company Ice-and Snow Clear Joshua Fry Clear 15. William Gaines Clear Alexander Gordon Clear Capt . Wallace’s
100Jefferson’s Militia Return as County Lieutenant, [ca. 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Albemarle, ca. 1776 ] A tabulated return in six columns giving names and numbers of captains, and numbers of first lieutenants, second lieutenants, ensigns, and rank and file, totalling respectively 15, 15, 4, 11, and 863, making in all 908 officers and men. [ At foot of text :] “About three fourths have firearms of some sort.” MS ( DLC : TJ Papers, 6: 1049); entirely in TJ’s hand; undated...
101Memorandum Books, 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 1. Pd. entertt. at Ewens’s 15/7½. Pd. ferrge. at do. 13/1½. 2. Pd. lodging, dinner &c. at Bush town 26/3. Pd. a smith at do. 8/4. Gave servts. at do. 3/9. 3. Pd. a smith at Baltimore 17/6. Pd. dinner, lodgg. breakfast &c. Baltimore £1–13–1½. Gave servt. at do. 1/10½. Pd. ferrge. over Patapsco 6/7. Pd. feeding horses &c. at do. 1/8. Gave ferrymen 1/10. 4. Pd. lodging &c. at Rawlings’s 23/2.
102Refutation of the Argument that the Colonies were Established at the Expense of the British Nation, [after 19 January … (Jefferson Papers)
Queen Elizabeth by letters patent bearing date the 11th. of June 1578. granted to Sr. Humphrey Gilbert license to search for uninhabited countries, and to hold the same to him and his heirs, with all jurisdiction and royalties by sea and land, reserving to the crown of England his allegiance and the fifth part of all the oar of gold and silver which should be gotten there. He had moreover...
103From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Nelson, 16 May 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here last Tuesday after being detained hence six weeks longer than I intended by a malady of which Gilmer can inform you. I have nothing new to inform you of as the last post carried you an account of the naval engagement in Delaware. I inclose a vote of yesterday on the subject of government as the ensuing campaign is likely to require greater exertion than our unorganized powers...
104From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 17 May 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Having arrived here but lately I have little to communicate. I have been so long out of the political world that I am almost a new man in it. You will have heard before this reaches you of the naval engagement in the Delaware. There are letters in town it is said from General Sullivan which inform that the lower town of Quebec is taken and a breach made in the wall of the upper; but I do not...
105From Thomas Jefferson to William Randolph, [ca. June] 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of August I received in this place, that of Nov. 24th. is just now come to hand; the one of October I imagine has miscarried. On receiving the first of these, I proposed to have spoken to the gentleman you mention, as I was then about to return to my own country and had expectations of seeing him. I knew him to be just and good; but I knew at the same time that for some cause or other...
106From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, [June? 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
The dignity and stability of government in all its branches, the morals of the people, and every blessing of society, depend so much upon an upright and skilful administration of justice, that the judicial power ought to be distinct from both the legislative and executive, and independent upon both, that so it may be a check upon both, as both should be checks upon that. The judges, therefore,...
107I. First Draft by Jefferson, [before June 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas George Guelph King of Great Britain & Ireland and Elector of Hanover, heretofore entrusted with the exercise of the kingly office in this government, hath endeavored to pervert the same into a detestable & insupportable tyranny by < neg > putting his negative on laws the most wholesome & necessary for the public good by denying to his governors permission to pass laws of < the most >...
108II. Second Draft by Jefferson, [before 13 June 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
A Bill for new modelling the form of government and for establishing the Fundamental principles of our future Constitution Whereas George king of Great Britain & Ireland and Elector of Hanover Be it therefore enacted by the authority of the people that the said George the third king of Great Britain < formerly holding & exercising the kingly > < power > < office within this colony be , & he is...
109III. Third Draft by Jefferson, [before June 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
A Bill for new-modelling the form of Government and for establishing the Fundamental principles thereof in future. Whereas George Guelf king of Great Britain and Ireland and Elector of Hanover, heretofore entrusted with the exercise of the kingly office in this government hath endeavored to pervert the same into a detestable and insupportable tyranny; by putting his negative on laws the most...
110Notes of Proceedings in the Continental Congress, 7 June–1 August 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Jefferson ’s extraordinarily graphic account of the debates and proceedings in Congress during two critical months in the summer of 1776 is perhaps the best single source of information concerning the movement toward independence and the formation of the Articles of Confederation, not even excepting the similar notes made by John Adams ( Works , ii , 485–502; also JCC Worthington C. Ford and...
111I. Composition Draft of That Part of the Declaration of Independence containing the Charges against the Crown, 11 June–4 … (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas George Guelph King of Great Britain & Ireland and Elector of Hanover, heretofore entrusted with the exercise of the Kingly office in this government, hath endeavored to pervert the same into a detestable & insupportable tyranny < has kept some colonies without judiciary establmts > < judges dependant > refused judiciary establmts to some without unjust & partial judges dependant...
112II. Fragment of the Composition Draft of the Declaration of Independence, [before 29 July 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
re-established them in po[wer …] < this conduct and > at this very time too, they are permitting their < sovereign > chief magistrate to send over not only soldiers of our < own > common blood but Scotch & foreign mercenaries to < destroy us > invade and deluge us in blood. < this is too much to be borne even by relations. enough then be it to say, we are now done with them. > these facts have...
113III. Jefferson’s “original Rough draught” of the Declaration of Independence, 11 June–4 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
A Declaration of the Representatives of the United States of America , in General Congress assembled. When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for a people to advance from that subordination in which they have hitherto remained, & to assume among the powers of the earth the equal & independant station to which the laws of nature & of nature’s god entitle them, a decent respect...
114Major Sherburne’s Testimony on the Affair at the Cedars, [17 June 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
The place called the Cedars is on the river St. Lawrence, about 43 miles above Montreal. At this place Colo. Bedel was posted with 390 men. He had here laid off some works of defence inclosed the greater part of them with picquets and the rest with lines of earth and had two canons mounted. Colo. Bedel having received intelligence on Wednesday the 15th. of May that the enemy were approaching...
115To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Jefferson, [21 June 1776?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society This note has probably far more importance than appears on the surface, because the likelihood is that Jefferson enclosed with it his draft of the Declaration of Independence. The evolution of that document has undergone repeated and microscopic analysis. A number of minor questions remain unanswered, but the general outline is clear. On June 7 the issue of...
116From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin, [21 June 1776?] (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed paper has been read and with some small alterations approved of by the committee. Will Doctr. Franklyn be so good as to peruse it and suggest such alterations as his more enlarged view of the subject will dictate? The paper having been returned to me to change a particular sentiment or two, I propose laying it again before the committee tomorrow morning, if Doctr. Franklyn can...
117From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Pendleton, [ca. 30 June 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
I this day received information that the Convention had been pleased to reappoint me to the office in which I have now the honor to be serving them and through you must beg leave to return them my sincere thanks for this mark of their continued confidence. I am sorry the situation of my domestic affairs renders it indispensably necessary that I should sollicit the substitution of some other...
118Notes of Witnesses’ Testimony concerning the Canadian Compaign, [1–27 July 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. John Blake. July. 1. 1776. He lives at Montreal. A merchant. Has lived there almost from the year 1760. Was a great scarcity hard cash, could not supply troops with clothes or food, wood. He lent 471–18–9 and 394–15–3 in January. If had been cash in Canada, provisions might have been had. He has lent individuals of army 130. half Joes. Continental bills would not have passed in Canada. A...
119From Thomas Jefferson to William Fleming, 1 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of 22d June came to hand this morning and gratified me much as this with your former contains interesting intelligence. Our affairs in Canada go still retrograde, but I hope they are now nearly at their worst. The fatal sources of these misfortunes have been want of hard money with which to procure provisions, the ravages of the small pox with which one half of our army is still down,...
120Proposed Resolution for Rotation of Membership in the Continental Congress, [before 2 July 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
To prevent every danger which might arise to American freedom by continuing too long in office the members of the Continental Congress, to preserve to that body the confidence of their friends, and to disarm the malignant imputations of their enemies It is earnestly recommended to the several Provincial Assemblies or Conventions of the United colonies that in their future elections of...
121Proposal for the Great Seal of the United States, [before 14 August 1776] (Franklin Papers)
On July 4, 1776, Franklin, John Adams, and Jefferson were named as a committee to suggest a seal. Each man proposed designs, and one of Jefferson’s closely resembled Franklin’s. In addition the painter Pierre Du Simitière, who had been called in as a consultant, produced a version of his own. A letter from John Adams of August 14 described the various proposals; hence Franklin’s had been...
122From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Henry Lee, 8 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
For news I refer you to your brother who writes on that head. I enclose you a copy of the declaration of independence as agreed to by the House, and also, as originally framed. You will judge whether it is the better or worse for the Critics. I shall return to Virginia after the 11th of August. I wish my successor may be certain to Come before that time, in that case, I shall hope to see you...
123From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 15 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 3d inst. came to hand to-day. I wish I could be better satisfied on the point of Patty’s recovery. I had not heard from her at all for two posts before, and no letter from herself now. I wish it were in my power to return by way of the Forest, as you think it will be impracticable for Mrs. Eppes to travel to the mountains. However, it will be late in August before I can get home,...
124From Thomas Jefferson to Patrick Henry, [16 July 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter from the President was directed before he knew of your being invested with the office of Governor: you will therefore please to open it. After congratulating you on your appointment and hoping every thing favourable from our new institutions I subscribe myself Dr. Sir Your very humble servt., RC (The Rosenbach Co., Philadelphia, 1946). Endorsed: “Virginia Delegates July 16....
125From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Henry Lee, 16 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
We received your letter by post and are much obliged for the enclosures. The queries to the officers shall be answered by this post if we can; otherwise certainly by the next. I suppose it will be best to send the answer to Brigadr. Lewis. Leich’s affair shall also be taken care of.—Admiral Howe is arrived at New York, and two or three vessels, supposed to be of his fleet, were in sight. The...
126From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 23 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
We have nothing new here now but from the southward. The successes there I hope will prove valuable here, by giving new spirit to our people. The ill successes in Canada had depressed the minds of many; when we shall hear the last of them I know not; everybody had supposed Crown Point would be a certain stand for them, but they have retreated from that to Ticonderoga, against everything which...
127Memorandum on Testimony concerning Major Hughes, 24 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Foulke . July 24. 1776. Mr. Vernet informed deponent that one of the English officers had applied to Mr. Coignet to serve in the English army instead of the provincial. Vernet wrote his name ‘Yousenne’ and said he was a major and lodged near Mrs. House’s. This it is supposed was ‘Hughes’ a major, who lodged near there. Coignet applied to Vernet for the same purpose, Vernet refused. Mr....
128From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Henry Lee, 29 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you Dr. Price’s pamphlet . I should have done so sooner but understood your brother was sending many to Virginia and not doubting one would be to you, I laid by the one I had purchased for that purpose. Little new here. Our camps recruit slowly, amazing slowly. God knows in what it will end. The finger of providence has as yet saved us by retarding the arrival of Ld. Howe’s recruits....
129Resolution on the Case of General Sullivan, [29 July 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved that the former determinations of Congress to pass by rank and seniority on necessary occasions in order to avail their country of superior talents and experience were entered into on mature deliberation as being absolutely requisite for the salvation of these states, the armies of which, tho’ large, were embodied on sudden emergencies, and were of necessity in some instances...
130From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 30 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
On receipt of your letter we enquired into the probability of getting your seal done here. We find a drawer and an engraver here both of whom we have reason to believe are excellent in their way. They did great seals for Jamaica and Barbadoes both of which are said to have been well done, and a seal for the Philosophical society here which we are told is excellent. But they are expensive, and...
131From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 5 August 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry to hear that the Indians have commenced war, but greatly pleased you have been so decisive on that head. Nothing will reduce those wretches so soon as pushing the war into the heart of their country. But I would not stop there. I would never cease pursuing them while one of them remained on this side the Misisippi. So unprovoked an attack and so treacherous a one should never be...
132From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 9 August 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
As Col. Harrison was about to have some things packed, I set out upon the execution of your glass commission, and was surprised to find that the whole glass stores of the city could not make out anything like what you desired. I therefore did what I thought would be best, imagining you wanted the number you mentioned at any event, and that not being able to get them of that form, you would...
133Jefferson’s Outline of Argument Concerning Insubordination of Esek Hopkins, 12 August 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
The Commodore’[s] excuse for not going to Southern colonies agreeable to orders . Before he left capes of Delaware, he heard the Liverpool was joined to Ld. Dunmore , which made enemy an overmatch, and many of his men sea sick. He did not go to N. Carolina because [he] received intelligence the enemy’s force had gone from there and from S. Cara. to Georgia. (His men recovered as he got to the...
134From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Pendleton, 13 August 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Aug. 3. came to hand yesterday. Having had no moment to spare since, I am obliged to sit down to answer it at a Committee table while the Committee is collecting. My thoughts therefore on the subject you propose will be merely extempore. The opinion that our lands were allodial possessions is one which I have very long held, and had in my eye during a pretty considerable part of my...
135I. Franklin’s Proposal, [20 August 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
Moses standing on the Shore, and extending his Hand over the Sea, thereby causing the same to overwhelm Pharoah who is sitting in an open Chariot, a Crown on his Head and a Sword in his Hand. Rays from a Pillar of Fire in the Clouds, reaching to Moses, to express that he acts by Command of the Deity. Motto, Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God. MS ( DLC ); in Franklin’s hand. For the...
136II. Jefferson’s Proposal, 20 August 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Pharaoh sitting in an open chariot, a crown on his head and a sword in his hand passing thro’ the divided waters of the Red sea in pursuit of the Israelites: rays from a pillar of fire in the cloud, expressive of the divine presence, and command, reaching to Moses who stands on the shore and, extending his hand over the sea, causes it to overwhelm Pharaoh. Motto. Rebellion to tyrants is...
137From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 20 August 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
We have been in hourly expectation of the great decision at New York but it has not yet happened. About three nights ago an attempt was made to burn the two ships which had gone up the river. One of the two fire-rafts prepared for that purpose grappled the Phenix ten minutes but was cleared away at last. A tender however was burnt. The two ships came down on Sunday evening and passed all our...
138Draft of Resolutions on Lord Drummond’s Peace Proposals, [22? August 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved that the articles inclosed by Ld. Drummond to Ld. Howe whereby it is proposed ‘that it shall be ascertained by calculation what supply towards the general exigency of the state each separate colony shall furnish, to be encreased or lessened in proportion to the growth or decline of such colony, and to be vested in the king by a perpetual grant, in consideration whereof Great Britain...
139From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Pendleton, 26 August 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 10th. inst. came to hand about three days ago, the post having brought no mail with him the last week. You seem to have misapprehended my proposition for the choice of a Senate. I had two things in view: to get the wisest men chosen, and to make them perfectly independent when chosen. I have ever observed that a choice by the people themselves is not generally distinguished for...
140Notes for the Report on the Value of Gold and Silver Coins, [2 September 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
In Silver. Given the quantity of Standd [Standard] metal, say As 40 : 37 :: qty. Standd metal: qty. of pure silver, or X by .925. In Gold. Given the quantity of Standd metal, deduct 1/12 it leaves the qty. of fine gold. To make a dollar 6/. silver of that alloy must be 4d 20/139 the pennyweight. I.e. pure silver must be 4d 7404/15429 the dwt. By Virga. laws 24 grs standard gold = 22 grs pure...